Apps

How to download Netflix videos on your Android or iOS device

Published

December 1, 2016

Monch Lopez

Subscribed to Netflix? We’ve got good news: Starting today, you can Netflix and chill on a plane or anywhere else… without an internet connection.

After years of speculation and rumors, the popular video-streaming service is finally allowing users to download movies and TV shows for offline viewing on their Android or iOS phone or tablet. For a while, it looked like the long-awaited feature was never going to see the light of day, but it’s here now. And Netflix is now a more compelling option for those looking to cut the cable cord because of it.

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So, how exactly do you go about downloading titles from Netflix on your mobile device? Here’s a quick tutorial to get you started.

Download the latest version of the Netflix app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Open the app and find a video you want to watch offline.
Tap the Download icon next to the Share icon to begin the download. Do note that not all videos are available for download, so if you have a particular title in mind, use the search function to find it, or select the Available for Download tab from the menu options on the left-hand side of the screen to browse and select a title for later viewing.
Wait for the download to finish; once it does, it should appear on the My Downloads tab from the menu on the left. An interesting tidbit: Netflix will download videos onto an SD card if the app has been transferred there.
Tap the play icon to start a video. To delete a downloaded video, simply hit the Edit button, then tap the X icon to remove the file from your device.

Bonus: You also have the option to change the video quality of downloaded content. It’s set to Standard by default, but you can go to Menu > App Settings > Downloads > Video Quality, then select Higher to download better versions of movies and shows.

So far, the feature works as intended, and we’ve added a number of series to our offline library. Our only gripe is that it doesn’t work on some of the content that we want to watch over and over again. Most Netflix originals are downloadable, with the exception of a few, like Marvel’s Jessica Jones and the new Gilmore Girls episodes.

Image credit: LifeHacker AU

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Apps

Netflix suddenly resurrects 30-day free trials

It’s available only in some countries.

Published

July 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Over the weekend, a report emerged about Disney+ allegedly considering a new tier offered to users for absolutely free. Apparently, Disney isn’t the only one. Netflix is now resurrecting its free trial program in select countries.

Back in the day, it was easy to get into Netflix. With a 30-day free trial, you can watch the shows you’ve always wanted to catch. If you liked what you saw, you can pay the monthly fee to access the entire library without constraints. Eventually, the platform got rid of this system to favor a cheaper ad-supported tier.

Perhaps not seeing the benefits of ad-supported tiers, Netflix has suddenly resurrected its free trial program. Spotted online (via Android Authority), some countries, including Brazil and India, are experimenting with the program again. New users can get 30 days of free Netflix access.

Because only regular users are spotting this (rather than an official announcement), we don’t have a list of where the free trials are available.

Still, it’s an interesting move. Cable isn’t a thing anymore so “cutting the cable” isn’t a popular phrase anymore, but people are definitely cancelling subscriptions over rising prices. Some even rely on short clips from YouTube to catch up with their shows. Having a free trial opens up more possibilities for users, but it remains to be seen whether it’s enough for users to return to Netflix.

Apps

Disney+ might get a free tier

What would you like to see in a free Disney+ tier?

Published

July 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

In a world disappointingly obsessed with increasing prices beyond our means, Disney+ has miraculously remembered the phrase, “free sample.” According to a report, the streaming platform is considering making a free subscription tier.

As of late, it’s been difficult to maintain a healthy collection of streaming services. When you have to pay the equivalent of a full-course meal every month for just a single platform, you start to evaluate which ones really matter.

Perhaps feeling the sting of users leaving the platform over pricing, Disney+ is reportedly experimenting with a tier that comes at no cost to users (via Business Insider). According to two sources, adding such a tier might help the platform reach customers more.

Now, it’s still a mystery how this tier might work. Disney+ already offers an ad-supported tier, so it’s unlikely to be another one like that.

One possibility is a heavily curated feed of content either designed specifically for free users or limited exactly to give users a free sample. For the latter, think of the limited content you get on a plane. Sure, you might get the first three episodes of The Mandalorian, but you’ll have to fork over cash if you want to see the rest of the story.

And for the former, you can imagine short-form content available for free. Going back to Star Wars, you might see a short anthology series like Star Wars: Visions.

Either way, it’s an interesting concept. If the tier does offer full content, it’s a great way to get into franchises you were thinking of trying without the need to spend for a taste.

Apps

WhatsApp will introduce usernames to hide your phone number

Hide your number from others.

Published

June 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

WhatsApp is about to get an extra later of protection. After thriving on number-based chatting, the platform will soon add usernames, eliminating the need to share your number with strangers.

Usernames are the standard way of maintaining your anonymity online. Though most platforms today require users to log their email addresses or phone numbers, establishing a username can prevent other users from seeing this information way too easily.

Today, Meta has started rolling out reservations for WhatsApp usernames. The feature itself isn’t available yet, but early adopters can grab theirs as soon as the setting becomes available on their app.

To access the reservation, users can go to Settings > Account > Username. Of note, this isn’t available for everyone yet. But if you want to take dibs on a specific name, be on the lookout for the setting.

As for the username itself, users can reserve anything as long as it’s unique. Business owners and creators can also use their Facebook or Instagram handles as their WhatsApp usernames.

The feature, once it launches, will stop users from accessing your phone number when messaging. Similarly, other users will now need your exact username to start a conversation. Users can also set a separate code to protect conversations further.