Last summer Netflix launched a new “Smart Downloads” feature on Android and this week it brought the same feature to iOS.
The feature, which can be toggled on and off, sets things up so that Netflix will automatically download new episodes for you and delete old ones. The idea is you’ll always have new things to watch without having to download an entire season at once and killing your available device storage.
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/12/how-to-use-netflixs-smart-downloads-on-android/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/10/Riverdale-410×231.jpg” title=”You Should Be Using Netflix’s ‘Smart Downloads’ Feature” excerpt=”Downloading Netflix right to your device is great – right up to the moment you run out of space and are left manually deleting every episode of Queer Eye to make way for the new season of Nailed It. But with Netflix’s latest feature, Smart Downloads, Netflix queues up the next episode of your favourite show while simultaneously deleting the ones you’ve already watched.”]
For instance, if you’re trying to get your clean on with Marie Kondo and downloaded the first three episodes of the show after you finish episode 1 the app will automatically delete it and download episode 4 the next time you’re connected to WiFi.
To find it on your device, go to the “Downloads” tab within the Netflix app. You’ll see “Smart Downloads” at the top on the screen. Tap on it to toggle the feature on or off. And if you don’t see it, make sure you have the latest version of the Netflix app downloaded onto your device.
It’s not really a solution for long plane rides and other situations where you might download a ton of stuff to watch at once, but if you’re in the habit of watching a show during your morning commute, then it can help ensure you’ve always got something new without forcing you to download an entire season.
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