Netflix Launches 'Smart Downloads' for Streamlined Access to Offline Content

[MacRumors]

Netflix today announced the launch of a new Smart Downloads feature that's designed to streamline the process of downloading content for offline viewing.

With Smart Downloads, when you finish viewing an episode of a TV show that you've downloaded, Netflix will delete it and then automatically download the next episode. Smart Downloads is designed to download content only when you're connected to Wi-Fi so it's not using your cellular data plan.

Netflix users can choose to use or disable the Smart Downloads feature, which is available on iOS and Android devices. Turning off Smart Downloads will keep watched content on your device.

On iPhone and iPad, you can tap the Downloads icon, choose "My Downloads" and select "Smart Downloads" to toggle it on or off.

Netflix for iOS can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Netflix Launches 'Smart Downloads' for Streamlined Access to Offline Content

 

[Braderunner]

I wish Netflix had "smart" profile sign-in on the ATV app. I'm so tired of them asking "who's watching" when there is only one profile set up.

 

[zorinlynx]

I with the Apple TV Netflix app supported downloads.

I sometimes go on trips and bring my Apple TV along to plug into hotel room TVs and watch stuff, but hotel WiFi tends to be dodgy at times.

I'd love to be able to tell my Apple TV netflix to download a few episodes of something to them watch on the go. Why does Apple offer different storage sizes on the Apple TV if apps won't make use of that storage?

And yes, I know you can airplay from a phone but that's not super-reliable on hotel WiFi either.

 

[MrPjackson]

I with the Apple TV Netflix app supported downloads.

I sometimes go on trips and bring my Apple TV along to plug into hotel room TVs and watch stuff, but hotel WiFi tends to be dodgy at times.

I'd love to be able to tell my Apple TV netflix to download a few episodes of something to them watch on the go. Why does Apple offer different storage sizes on the Apple TV if apps won't make use of that storage?

And yes, I know you can airplay from a phone but that's not super-reliable on hotel WiFi either.

This would be an instant buy. I would buy amen load up the 64 gig atv4 to take to the cottage. Why is this not a thing yet ?

We don’t have intenet at the cottage and sometimes It’s nice to have something to watch at the end of the day

 

[npmacuser5]

I with the Apple TV Netflix app supported downloads.

I sometimes go on trips and bring my Apple TV along to plug into hotel room TVs and watch stuff, but hotel WiFi tends to be dodgy at times.

I'd love to be able to tell my Apple TV netflix to download a few episodes of something to them watch on the go. Why does Apple offer different storage sizes on the Apple TV if apps won't make use of that storage?

And yes, I know you can airplay from a phone but that's not super-reliable on hotel WiFi either.

Do not attach your Apple TV to a network. Then access via iPhone/iPad over default IP address. Works great for me.

Netflix downloads would not AirPlay to Apple TV. Not sure if that has been fixed.

 

[lederermc]

This could is the perfect antidote for slow and/or flakey Internet and a thirst for 4K programming.

 

[revox12]

Why don’t shows I buy from Apple do this?!?! The function is still there in iTunes (“automatically sync X unplayed episodes”), from back when we had to sync our phones with our computers, but the TV app makes you manually download every single episode. And it’s not intuitive at all.

 

[badatusernames]

Netflix downloads would not AirPlay to Apple TV. Not sure if that has been fixed.

The limitation is still there unfortunately.

 

[macfacts]

Old feature for Netflix on android. I wonder why it took so long to bring to iOS.

 

[sunapple]

I think this feature became briefly available a few weeks/months ago. Tried it, but it wasn't reliable at all. They were probably testing it. Still a nice feature to have, I use downloads every day.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Nutflix, stop randomising My List every time I visit it. Including when I visit an individual show on My List and return to My List grid. Having it rearrange every time is completely frustrating and totally anti-user. Did I mention it was my list? I’ll look forward to Apple’s streaming service. I’ll certainly consider leaving Nutflix at that point. They literally hate their users and use them purely as a number to milk as much screen time from them as humanly possibly. And that Netflix double-drum note with your logo at the start of each of your shows and the auto-playing of content WITH SOUND on your dot com are terrible. What are you, an Abobe Flash website? Stop being such a terrible company.

 

[zorinlynx]

And that Netflix double-drum note with your logo at the start of each of your shows and the auto-playing of content WITH SOUND on your dot com are terrible. What are you, an Abobe Flash website? Stop being such a terrible company.

Now it plays that stupid intro sound just when you launch the app on the Apple TV.

Also, you can't just sit quietly at the menu; it will play trailers and previews for whatever show you happen to have selected. There's no apparent way to disable that.

Lately when I need to leave the room I just go all the way back to the home screen just to shut the thing up.

 

[EchoplexSE]

I with the Apple TV Netflix app supported downloads.

I sometimes go on trips and bring my Apple TV along to plug into hotel room TVs and watch stuff, but hotel WiFi tends to be dodgy at times.

I'd love to be able to tell my Apple TV netflix to download a few episodes of something to them watch on the go. Why does Apple offer different storage sizes on the Apple TV if apps won't make use of that storage?

And yes, I know you can airplay from a phone but that's not super-reliable on hotel WiFi either.

Not the answer you’re looking for but the lightning to hdmi adapter is my go to for traveling. It’s so handy

 

[zorinlynx]

Not the answer you’re looking for but the lightning to hdmi adapter is my go to for traveling. It’s so handy

From the Netflix site:

"When using a compatible connection kit to watch Netflix, you may notice a difference in how streamed and downloaded titles display. Streamed titles will utilize AirPlay, allowing the video to fit the screen. Downloaded titles will simply mirror your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch's display, so you may notice black bars surrounding the video."

As expected, they've half-arsed it, and thus I don't want to bother. Why even make downloaded content behave differently than streamed? It's almost as if they're purposefully hobbling it.

 

[EchoplexSE]

True but it is still nice to have, downloading things from a Plex library or iTunes works well. Hulu last time I tried didn’t work correctly with it and was one of the reasons I ended up ditching it over a year ago, unsure if that’s still the case with them