As of early 2026, RTL+ remains Germany's leading local streaming service with over 5.8 million subscribers. However, the platform still restricts offline viewing primarily to mobile devices. If you have ever tried to watch Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten during a flight but found the official limits frustrating, this post can help.
In the following sections, I'll explain what the RTL+ official download limits are, how to download video from RTL+ on Windows and Mac, and how to fix the RTL+ download not working problem. If you're searching for a way to save your favorite RTL+ shows without them disappearing after two days, continue reading to find the answer.
Official Download Service on RTL+: How-to and Limits
RTL+ provides an official download service for Premium or Max subscribers via its mobile app. To follow the steps in this section, you need to first make sure that you've subscribed to one of the following plans:
- Premium: 9,99 €/mo.
- Premium Werbefrei: 12,99 €/mo.
- RTL+ Premium & HBO Max Basis: 11,99 €/mo.
- RTL+ Premium Werbefrei & HBO Max Standard: 17,99 €/mo.
How to Download RTL+ Videos via App?
There is an official RTL+ app on both Android and iOS mobile devices. It's the most convenient and direct way to watch your favorite RTL+ content offline, including music, podcasts, and videos. Follow these steps:
Step1
Download and run the RTL+ app on an Android or iOS device.
Step2
Log in to your RTL+ account with a subscription.
Step3
Go to the video you want to download, and tap the download button
The same method also works for music downloading. Log in, find the title, and tap the (arrow down) Download button
RTL+ Download not Woking?
If you can't find the download button under a title you select, or the button is grey, it means the video is not available for downloading because of copyright.
Official RTL Plus Download Limits
Although the official download method is convenient, it isn't as "unlimited" as it sounds. Based on current user feedback from Reddit, the official offline mode has three major limits:
- DRM Limits: Not every title is available for download due to licensing.
- App Lock: We can't move or extract the downloads. They can only be played in the official app.
- Device Lock: No official RTL Plus download PC app. We're only allowed to watch on a small screen.
- The 48-Hour Clock: Once you press play on a downloaded video, you have exactly 48 hours to finish it before it expires.
According to a 2025 Digital Media Report, over 65% of users prefer watching long-form content on larger screens (laptops/monitors), yet RTL+ continues to use strict DRM to prevent direct browser downloads. This is exactly why users often search for a dedicated RTL Plus video downloader.
How to Download RTL+ Videos on Computers?
If you want to bypass the 48-hour expiration and save shows directly to your hard drive, using a third-party tool is the most effective route. I personally recommend KeepStreams for RTL Plus. It's designed to handle the encryption updates that often cause other tools to fail.
It works on Windows PC and Mac, and is able to download RTL Plus videos in Full HD 1080p, with AAC 2.0 clear audio. The downloads will be saved in MP4/MKV files. Technically, KeepStreams can download all videos that can be played on RTL+, perfectly bypassing the limits mentioned above.
KeepStreams is a dedicated RTL Plus video downloader that has a built-in browser. It integrates the whole process of logging in, playing, and downloading together. Here are the steps to download videos from RTL Plus with KeepStreams:
Step1
Download and install KeepStreams for RTL Plus
Step2
Find RTL+ in the VIP Services List
Step3
Log in to your RTL+ account
This step is required to ensure you can download videos in the best quality. The available video quality that KeepStreams can download is up to your accessibility.
Step4
Play a video and customize videos
When you play an RTL+ video in KeepStreams, it will be analyzed right away in seconds. And a settings window will pop up, where you can customize the video based on your preference.
Step5
Click on "Download Now" and check the download process
Check the real-time process in the Downloads > Downloading section.
Note: KeepStreams is for personal use only. Please don't download copyrighted videos, and remember that you are responsible for how you use the app.
Is It Safe and Legal to Use Third-Party Tools to Download from RTL+?
Generally, as long as you are downloading for personal use ONLY and have a valid subscription, it falls under "private copying" in many regions.
Compared to screen recording (which often results in a black screen due to DRM), a dedicated RTL Plus download tool like KeepStreams fetches the data directly from the server. It's like a modern version of DVR, helping you get the videos in original quality for later offline viewing.
FAQs
Q1. Where can I watch RTL Plus?
A1. RTL Plus and its subscriptions are only available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg now. If you're travelling or living outside these regions, use a reliable VPN to access RTL Plus.
Q2. Why is my RTL Plus download not working?
A2. This usually happens due to updated DRM protections or an outdated app version. If you are using a browser-based downloader, it might not support the latest MPEG-DASH encryption used by RTL+.
Q3. Can I get an RTL Plus download for PC officially?
A3. No. RTL+ currently does not offer a Windows or macOS application with download capabilities. You must use a third-party downloader like KeepStreams for RTL Plus to save videos to your computer.
Q4. Will my RTL Plus downloads expire?
A4. If you use the official app, the downloads normally expire after 30 days or 48 hours after you start watching. If you use an RTL Plus video downloader, the downloads are permanent and will never expire.
Q5. How long does it take to download RTL+ videos?
A5. For the official RTL+ app, it might take 1-2 minutes to download a 25-minute episode in 1080p. For a third-party tool, it might be extended into 2-3 minutes instead.
Conclusion
To download RTL+ videos, we can choose to use an official app or a dedicated RTL Plus video downloader. The official method is direct, safer, and quicker, but it comes with many limits, like expiration and title cap. If you want RTL Plus download PC or prefer to build your own offline library of RTL+ content, a downloader like KeepStreams for RTL Plus can be your best choice.
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