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Netflix adds one-click full-season downloads for iOS

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Netflix adds one-click full-season downloads for iOS
Now you can get a whole season of a show from Netflix on your iPhone or iPad with a tap.
Photo: Brad Gibson/Cult of Mac

Netflix introduced a new “Season Download” button in its app Wednesday that allows iPhone and iPad users to download entire seasons of their favorite shows with a single tap. That streamlines offline viewing for iOS users, who previously had to download episodes individually.

It’d be nice if Apple TV+ did that too, right?

Netflix adds one-click full-season downloads for iPhone and iPad users

iOS and iPadOS users can access the new functionality through a dedicated button located next to the Share option on a show’s display page, according to Netflix. And they can manage their downloaded content through the My Netflix tab, maintaining easy access to their offline library. It might be worth noting the new functionality is limited to available episodes. It doesn’t speed up their release.

The feature’s introduction to iOS devices — Android users already had it — marks an expansion of Netflix’s offline viewing capabilities, which have evolved since their launch in 2016. The update iPad and iPhone builds upon previous innovations like Smart Downloads, which automatically replaces watched episodes with the next available installment in a series.

Netflix’s most-downloaded series

Along with the new feature launch, Netflix revealed its most-downloaded series of all time. The list includes both seasons of Squid Game, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, One Piece and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Those global hits appear to highlight viewers’ increasing preference for downloading content for on-the-go entertainment during commutes, travel or in areas with limited internet connectivity, The Hollywood Reporter noted.

Last year, Netflix introduced social media sharing capabilities. They allow users to share their favorite moments from Netflix shows. And the company’s commitment to both content and product development appears to be paying dividends. Neflix’s recent record-breaking quarter saw the addition of 19 million new subscribers.

Rising prices

The timing of this feature rollout coincides with Netflix’s recent pricing adjustments. Subscribers on ad-free plans can store up to 100 active downloads per device. Those opting for the ad-supported tier can store 15 downloads per month. The premium ad-free plan now costs $24.99 monthly. The standard ad-free plan goes for $17.99. And the ad-supported option is priced at $7.99 per month.

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