Netflix Adds New Smart Downloads Feature To Android App

The Netflix app allows users to download TV shows and movies manually, so they can be watched during offline viewing. Now, the streaming service has announced a new feature that makes downloading episodes a lot smarter.

Netflix has introduced Smart Downloads, a new feature of the Android app that automatically downloads the next episode of a TV show. Smart Downloads also automatically deletes a downloaded episode once the user is done watching it. The feature will then automatically download the next episode, so users won’t have to do it themselves. Automatic downloads will only occur when the user is connected to a Wi-Fi network.

“We know how annoying it can be to go through all your apps and delete files you no longer need; we also understand that when it comes to Netflix, the faster you can get to the next episode you want to watch, the better,” Netflix director of product innovation Cameron Johnson said in a blog post. “Whether it is smart downloading or viewing a mobile preview, we realize the best part of Netflix is connecting with the stories you will love in an easier and more fun way.”

Netflix’s Smart Downloads feature can be turned on or off by tapping the Downloads icon on the Netflix Android app. In the “My Downloads” section, users must select Smart Downloads and toggle it on or off. Users will also be able to toggle the feature from the App Settings by tapping the Menu icon and selecting App Settings. Under “Downloads,” users will be able to turn Smart Downloads on or off.

“Downloading today is a very manual process, and most of the time people will only download a couple episodes of a show at a time,” Johnson said last week in a briefing, according to CNET. “Whenever possible we want Netflix to do the work for you.”

The new Smart Downloads feature is currently only available on the Android version of Netflix. Users should make sure that they’ve updated to the latest version of the Netflix Android app in order to start using Smart Downloads. The new feature isn’t available for iOS devices yet, but Netflix says that it might be added sometime later this year.

Smart Downloads will only work for TV shows and not for movies, standup specials and other types of content. Again, Smart Downloads will immediately delete downloaded episodes once users are already finished watching all of them. For those who don’t like to immediately delete episodes from their devices, they should just turn off the new feature. Smart Downloads also works across seasons. This means it can automatically download the first episode of the next season once users have finished watching the season finale.