[2025 Guide] How to Download Paramount Plus Video to MP4?

I recently prepared for a weekend trip to a cabin with notoriously bad Wi-Fi by downloading a season of Star Trek: Discovery. When I arrived and tried to watch, the Paramount+ app wouldn't even load my "Downloads" tab without an internet check-in.

Later, I found some similar experiences on forums like Reddit, where users ask, "What's the point of downloads?" (Source: r/ParamountPlus). This "offline" feature isn't truly offline. It led me to investigate why the official feature falls short and what it actually takes to get a simple, reliable MP4 file.

In this post, I will clearly explain what the MP4 format is, what the advantages are, and test how to download Paramount Plus to MP4 video files easily and safely.

How to Save Paramount Plus to MP4 Video Files?

Although Paramount Plus allows downloads, all the downloaded videos are encrypted and can only allowed to be played within the app.

There are 2 main ways to get Paramount+ as an MP4: Use an extra tool to directly download videos into MP4 format, or use the free, built-in recording tool to capture the show into MP4 files.

Method 1: Use KeepStreams for Paramount Plus

KeepStreams for Paramount Plus is a professional tool to give you a better offline viewing experience from Paramount+. It can save nearly all videos on Paramount+ in Full HD 1080p, and convert the downloads into compatible MP4 and even MKV format automatically.

KeepStreams For Paramount Plus

Download Paramount Plus content into 1080p MP4/MKV video files easily.

• Work on both Windows & Mac
• Download videos in high quality up to FHD 1080p
• Support EAC3 5.1 and AAC 2.0 audio formats
• Use H264 video codec to save storage space
• Convert downloads into MP4 or MKV format
• Select the language of audio and subtitles
• Extract subs into SRT files (optional)
• Schedule your downloads and save new episodes automatically
• Download multiple episodes altogether
• Support converting Paramount Plus link to MP4
• Free trial for 3 full-length downloads in 30 days

 Free Trial  Free Trial

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Because of the powerful built-in browser, KeepStreams integrates the entire process—from logging in and streaming to downloading shows—all into one tool. This means you can download videos quickly without having to open any other websites or apps. Here are the steps:

Use the official website to let you download the Paramount Plus downloader. Use the Free Trial option to use the free version. Later on, you can choose to use the subscription alternatives.

Among the services supported, choose Paramount Plus. Or you can just paste the video link of Paramount+ to the top search bar of KeepStreams. This can also lead you to the homepage of Paramount+.

Sign in to your Paramount+ account to verify your accessibility to the Paramount+ library.

Play the video that you want to download, and KeepStreams will analyze it automatically. The analysis can be done in seconds, and a pop-up window will follow to help you set download options, such as video resolution, audio channels, and subtitles.

Click on Download Now and the video will be downloaded instantly into MP4 video files. The download progress can be checked through the Downloading tab.

Method 2: Use the Built-in Recorder

The second option to download Paramount Plus into MP4 is to use the built-in recorders on your device. When you record the screen of Paramount, the videos can be saved in MP4 format naturally. The exact tool can differ based on the operating system you are on.

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However, this method has a major drawback: it can't record DRM-protected videos from Paramount+. When you try to record these shows, the screen will just go black. Because of this, the method only works for a limited range of videos.

For Windows 10 or 11

You have 2 good choices - The Xbox Game Bar and Snipping Tool:

1. Game Bar: Press Win + Alt + R to start and stop recording.

2. Snipping Tool: Press Win + Shift + S. In the small menu that appears, click the video camera icon, select the area of the screen, and press "Start."

For Mac

QuickTime Player is an excellent option on Mac to help you record the screen with a built-in option. You can simply open the Paramount Plus app to play your video and launch the QuickTime app.

Choose the File -> New Movie recording. You can choose your preferred options for recording, like exporting the video into 720p or 1080p.

For Android

If you are on an Android, you can access the default screen recorder through the Quick Settings option and then tap on the Screen recorder option to record your screen. The methods may differ slightly based on the manufacturer and model of your device.

For Apple

iOS devices such as iPhone, iPad, and iPad Touch come with a default screen recorder. You can simply add Screen Recording to the Control Centre from the Settings.

Methods Comparison

Of course, you can also use a free online video downloader like SaveTube or a dedicated screen recorder like AnyMP4 to bypass the limits mentioned above. After all, there are so many Paramount Plus video downloaders.

But are they really as good as I thought? Here's my test. I used these 4 types of tools to download NCIS S23 E1 to E3 on my 2025 Mac, and here's the result:

Among the 4 methods, SaveTube disappointed me mostly. It claims to convert Paramount Plus link to MP4 without logging to my account, but I finally saved zero episodes successfully with it.

Every time I pasted a video link from Paramount Plus, it told me "Couldn't fetch download links at the moment, please try again.", even when I changed to another show.

Why Should You Convert Paramount Plus to MP4?

Simply speaking, an MP4 is a universal digital container. Think of it as a standardized shipping box. This box is recognized globally and can hold various types of data, such as video, audio tracks, subtitles, etc. MP4 format boasts 3 major advantages:

✅ Universal Compatibility: Because MP4 is a global standard, it plays on any device. Your Windows PC, Mac, smart TV, iPhone, and Android phone, and even gaming consoles, all recognize this "shipping box" and know how to open it without a special app.

✅ Portability: You can move an MP4 file anywhere. Copy it to a USB drive or an SD Card, save it on a network server, or edit it as you like.

✅ Quality & Efficiency: MP4 also provides an excellent balance between high video quality and file size, making it ideal for both storage and playback.

Now, compare MP4 to the file you directly downloaded from Paramount+, namely, a proprietary, encrypted file. Think of the Paramount+ file as a high-security, locked safe. This safe is protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management), and only the Paramount+ app has the key.

⚠️ It is App-Locked: The file will only open inside the Paramount+ app. You cannot use VLC, QuickTime, or any other media player.

⚠️ It is Not Portable: You cannot copy this "safe" to a USB drive or any other external storage device.

⚠️ It is a Temporary License: The "key" to the safe expires, and you only have 48 hours to finish it once you press play.

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Paramount+ imposes a lot of download limits. It requires the Premium Plan and only works on mobile devices. Furthermore, the files are encrypted, and in-app videos that expire 48 hours after you start watching or after your subscription ends.

MP4 video files break all of the limits to help you save downloads forever.

Is It Legal to Convert Paramount Plus to MP4?

Converting Paramount Plus to MP4, which involves bypassing DRM, is a violation. While copyright law (like the DMCA in the U.S.) prohibits this, companies are far more likely to enforce their Terms of Service (by banning an account) than to pursue legal action against an individual for personal, non-commercial use.

Therefore, when you use an extra tool, it's very important to avoid tools that claim "download videos without logging in" (a type of DRM removal), so as not to download a huge number of videos from Paramount Plus. It can prevent your account from being tagged as a "risky account".

Another important thing is not to share the downloads or use them for purposes other than personal usage. You should only save Paramount Plus to MP4 for personal entertainment.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the "best" method depends on your tolerance for frustration. Paramount's official download feature is convenient for short-term mobile viewing—if you accept the 48-hour viewing window and the mobile-only restriction.

For those audiences like me who want a permanent MP4 file to watch on a laptop or archive a favorite film, the choice is between the slow, manual work of screen recording or the cost of a third-party tool. For true offline freedom, the official app, in its current state, simply doesn't deliver.