Want to watch Crunchyroll offline on different devices, but feel confused about the official guide? Crunchyroll provides an official offline viewing service for Android, iOS, and even Nintendo Switch, but it's only available for premium subscribers.
If your goal is to directly download Crunchyroll episodes to MP4 for viewing on a laptop, or to keep your favorite series permanently without worrying about the strict 48-hour expiration timer, you will hit a wall. Crunchyroll's DRM protection blocks any attempt to export videos for true offline freedom on PC or Mac.
Fortunately, these limits are not absolute. In this guide, I will clarify exactly how to use the official mobile download feature and explain a reliable method to download Crunchyroll videos for unlimited offline viewing on any device.
Quick Guide:
Necessities to watch Crunchyroll offline: subscription & a supported device. ➡️ Section 1
How to watch Crunchyroll offline on Mobile and NS? Via the app. ➡️ Section 2
Hidden limits of official service: Expiration, region lock, and device. ➡️ Section 3
How to watch Crunchyroll offline on PC or Mac? Use KeepStreams. ➡️ Section 4
Comparison: Which Tool should you pick? ➡️ Section 5
Can You Watch Crunchyroll Offline?
Yes. But the offline viewing service is limited to Crunchyroll's premium "ecosystem". Offline viewing is not available for free users. You must subscribe to one of the higher-tier plans—namely, Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan—to unlock this feature.
Even with the right subscription, you cannot watch offline on just any device. Crunchyroll officially supports offline viewing only on the following devices:
- iOS (iPhone and iPad)
- Android (Mobile and Tablet)
- Nintendo Switch
Collins
Crunchyroll's desktop browser player requires an internet connection. There is currently no official way to watch Crunchyroll offline on a PC, Mac, or laptop directly through the website or a desktop app.
How to Watch Crunchyroll Offline on Mobile and Switch?
Crunchyroll provides a built-in download button for all Mega/Ultimate Fan accounts. You can find it in the official Crunchyroll app on Android, iOS, and NS.
On iOS/Android
Step1
Install the Crunchyroll app and Log In
Install the latest version of the Crunchyroll app. Launch it and log in to your account (with a Mega or Ultimate subscription).
Step2
Select the Title and Tap to Download
- For individual episodes: Look for the little gray arrow (↓) next to the specific episode title. Give that a tap, and it starts saving locally.
- For full seasons: Hit the three-dot menu (usually near the top). If the license allows it, you'll see a "Download Season" option.
Step3
Find the Downloaded Content and Enjoy Offline Viewing
When you're finally offline and ready to watch, look at the bottom navigation bar and hit My Lists. It might look empty at first—don't panic. You just need to toggle the tab at the top over to OFFLINE. That is where your "stash" lives.
On Nintendo Switch
Crunchyroll and Hulu are not supported by the Nintendo Switch 2. Therefore, this guide is only available on NS 1.
Crunchyroll is one of the few streaming apps available on the Switch. Here's how to download Crunchyroll episodes on NS for offline viewing:
Step1
Install the Crunchyroll App and Log In
Find the official Crunchyroll app in the eShop. Install it on your NS, launch, and log in to your own account.
Step2
Select the Episodes and Download
Browse for the anime series you wish to watch. Similar to what you do on the iOS/Android devices, you need to tap the download icon (↓) located to the right of the episode title to begin the download.
Step3
Watch Crunchyroll Offline on Switch
Press the "B" button to go back to the main menu of Crunchyroll, select "My Lists," and then choose "OFFLINE" to view your saved content.
Anon
Why don't I find the Crunchyroll app in the eShop?
Steve
The Crunchyroll app is now only available in the Americas, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa. Check the region information of your Nintendo account, and change to an account in the available region.
The Hidden Limits of Official Crunchyroll Download Service
While the official mobile download feature is useful for short trips, it has unavoidable drawbacks. These Crunchyroll download limits can ruin our offline viewing experience sometimes.
1. The Device Limit
As mentioned above, Crunchyroll does not support offline viewing on Windows or Mac. If you want to watch Crunchyroll offline on a PC or a MacBook for a larger screen experience, you need to use an extra tool.
2. Strict Expiration Timers
Downloaded content on Crunchyroll is not yours. Unplayed episodes expire after 7 days. Worse, once you start watching an episode, a 48-hour timer begins. When they expire, you must reconnect to the internet to renew the license. It's a major problem for long flights or camping trips.
3. Region Locks
Crunchyroll's content libraries vary by country. If you travel internationally, the app may detect your new location and block access to episodes you already downloaded at home due to licensing restrictions in the destination country, although you've downloaded the videos before.
How to Watch Crunchyroll Offline Forever? On PC and Mac
Therefore, many Crunchyroll users are looking for a way to enjoy Crunchyroll offline viewing without limits. That's the reason why I use a Crunchyroll video downloader to get the titles I've paid for. KeepStreams for Crunchyroll is such a reliable tool.
Unlike screen recorders, which are time-consuming and result in quality loss, KeepStreams is a professional downloader that saves the video source in 1080p directly. This allows you to keep your favorite anime forever.
Since KeepStreams can help you download Crunchyroll videos in compatible MP4 or MKV format (change the format in the System Settings), you could move the downloaded titles to any devices you like to watch offline, such as TVs.
It's very easy to use KeepStreams, especially with the powerful built-in browser:
Step1
Launch KeepStreams
There are 2 modes to download Crunchyroll videos:
- Find Crunchyroll from the "VIP Services", and download the video while playing it.
- Paste the video URL into the top search bar to directly go to the video playing page.
Step2
Log in to Your Crunchyroll Account
KeepStreams can download nearly all the videos you can play. Therefore, you need to log in to your account to verify the accessibility in the built-in browser.
Step3
Play the Video, Customize, and Download Now
When you play the video, KeepStreams will analyze it automatically. And a setting window will appear. You can choose your preferred video quality, audio, subtitles, and auto-download here. Click on "Download Now" to start the process.
The downloaded content can be found in the "Downloaded" section of KeepStreams. And the video files (in MP4 or MKV) will be saved in the local folder of your PC. The output path can also be changed in the Settings.
Video Tutorial:
Comparison: Official App vs. KeepStreams Downloader
To help you decide which method suits your offline viewing habits, here is a direct comparison of the official mobile feature versus the desktop downloader approach.
| Feature | Crunchyroll App | KeepStreams for Crunchyroll |
| Supported Devices | iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch | Windows, Mac |
| Video Format | Encrypted | MP4/MKV |
| Resolution | Up to 1080p | Up to 1080p |
| Subscription Required | Mega or Ultimate Fan | Any Crunchyroll Subscription |
| Region Lock | Yes | No |
| Video Expires | Yes | No |
| Schedule Download | ❌ | ✅ |
| Subtitles in SRT | ❌ | ✅ |
FAQs
Q1. Is it legal to use KeepStreams to download Crunchyroll videos?
A1. It's generally acceptable to make copies of videos for personal use. It falls under the concept of "Fair Use" or "Time-Shifting" in many regions. But remember, never distribute, sell, or upload the content to other platforms. And always comply with the copyright laws of your specific country and Crunchyroll's ToS.
Q2. Why can't I watch Crunchyroll offline on my phone?
A2. If you fail to download videos via the official Crunchyroll app, check these items:
- Storage Space: 1080p anime requires more space. Ensure your phone isn't full.
- Subscription Status: If your payment failed or your subscription expired, you can't use the download service or watch the downloaded episodes immediately.
- Update Needed: An outdated version often causes download errors. Check it in the App Store.
Q3. Can you watch Crunchyroll offline without Premium?
A3. No. The official download feature is strictly gated behind the Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan paywalls. But some third-party tools like KeepStreams can break the limit and download videos even with an ad-supported subscription.
Q4. Do Crunchyroll downloads use data?
A4. By default, the Crunchyroll app only allows videos to be downloaded with Wi-Fi. Of course, you can manually change the settings and download videos with mobile data (about 1.5GB per hour for 1080p). However, once the file is downloaded and you play it from the "Offline" tab, no data is consumed during playback.
Conclusion
Can you watch Crunchyroll offline? YES, but your experience depends entirely on your device and subscription level. The official app is a fantastic tool for Crunchyroll offline viewing on mobile devices and Switch, perfect for quick commutes if you have a Mega Fan plan.
However, if you are trying to have unlimited, forever offline viewing on Crunchyroll, you still need an extra tool. For those looking to build a permanent library of anime favorites without restrictions or region locks, a dedicated tool like KeepStreams for Crunchyroll offers the best freedom.
NOTE:
Content available on Crunchyroll™ is protected by copyright. Unauthorized redistribution of this content may violate US and international copyright laws. KeepStreams is an independent entity not affiliated with or endorsed by Crunchyroll™. This page is for informational purposes only and implies no third-party endorsement.
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