Netflix stops downloading for offline viewing

Netflix will stop offering downloads with which you can watch movies and series offline with some subscriptions. This is evident from the program code in the Netflix app for iOS.

Netflix subscriptions: offline viewing not available everywhere

According to the developer of the Netflix app (Steve Moser), the limitation will in any case apply to the upcoming Netflix subscription with ads. For the standard Netflix subscription as you know it now, nothing will probably change (yet). Moser does not find the development surprising, because there are plenty of other streaming services that do not offer a download option.

Netflix subscription with ads

Netflix’s Ted Sarandos already confirmed in June 2022 that they were working on a cheaper subscription with ads. This version is aimed at people who find a regular Netflix subscription really too expensive (and have no problems with the ads).

New subscription without offline viewing coming in 2023

It is not possible to skip or pause the advertisements. Netflix will also ask users of the new subscription for additional details, so that more relevant advertisements can be shown.

The new Netflix subscription will most likely not appear until 2023. This means that the final implementation can still change. It is also unknown what the price of the new subscription will be.

Win back customers

The fact that Netflix will stop watching offline in the new subscription is mainly because the streaming service has recently lost many customers and revenue. Netflix says that this is partly due to account sharing. The company hopes to win back customers with the cheaper subscription.

In addition, Netflix is ​​going to take a lot of action against account sharing. Currently, about 222 million paying households have an account. And accounts are shared with about 100 million households. The company therefore does not earn any income from these shared accounts.

Tired of Netflix?

Tired of Netflix? Or have you actually seen everything? Fortunately, there are plenty of other streaming services to choose from. We have already compared the best streaming services for you.

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