About four months ago, Netflix rolled out its offline viewing feature for both Android and iOS. Now, according to some reports, the video streaming service is making the Download & Go feature available on its Windows 10 PC app. Users can download their favorite Netflix original series and movies on their desktop or laptop to watch them offline.
Why Netflix added offline streaming to its Windows app
Since late last year, the video streaming giant has been offering users the option to watch videos offline by downloading them on their iOS and Android app, but the update is coming to the PCs only now. The news was first reported by Windows Central, revealing that the update enables desktop users to download Netflix content on their PC to watch it later without any Internet connection, especially when they are on the move or during flights.
YouTube Red and Amazon, Netflix’s top rivals, have already been offering offline viewing to users. This may have forced Netflix to add the feature to its Windows 10 app. Before bringing the offline viewing feature to iOS and Android, the streaming giant claimed several times that it had no plans to make its content available for download because it did not want to give its users too many viewing options.
The change, according to Fortune, could have come because of Netflix’s expansion around the world. Now, the streaming giant‘s service is available in more than 190 countries. People living in many of those countries do not always have good access to high-speed internet, thus making downloading content a useful option.
Limited content for now
The Windows 10 PC app, just like other mobile apps, has some limitations in terms of downloading content. The offline downloads are available only for some of Netflix’s movies, documentaries and shows. This means users will not be able to download the complete catalog.
Some popular shows like Star Trek and Stranger Things are available. Most of Netflix’s original content and licensed content like the AMC series Breaking Bad are also available for offline watch. In November, the streaming giant said it would gradually make more content licensed from other providers available to download.
Downloading video content on the Windows 10 app is easy. The user just has to just click the small download button displayed on the video’s details screen. It will then be downloaded for offline viewing. The user will be able to see all their offline videos in the “My Downloads” section of the app. Users can also specify the quality of the videos being downloaded. The quality can be standard or high, depending on the storage capacity and available Internet connection.
The Verge notes that the update should be rolling out to all Windows 10 users soon, but it is still uncertain whether the Xbox One or Windows 10 Mobile versions of the application will be getting the same update.
