How to Make Netflix Download Faster

Slow Netflix downloads aren't a new problem. Even though Netflix officially recommends at least 15 Mbps for streaming in UHD, I've seen people in forums complaining that their downloads are stuck at 0% when they're on 190 Mbps connections. I've been there too, and I think it is one of the Netflix download limits everyone should know how to cope with. So, here are 9 practical fixes for you to make Netflix downloads quicker and faster. These fixes work for your iPhone, Android, and also for anyone who wants to download Netflix onto PC computers.

Part 1. Why Are Netflix Downloads So Slow?

Slow Netflix downloads can be caused by network issues, device settings, or app problems. For a complete understanding of Netflix downloads and common fixes, check out our Netflix Download Guide. In the meantime, here are some possible reasons to help you troubleshoot:

Part 2. How Long Should a Netflix Download Take?

If Netflix downloads feel unusually slow, it helps to know what is normal. Download time mainly depends on two things: the video quality you choose and your actual download speed.

These are rough estimates based on a typical home internet connection. Actual download times vary depending on your network speed, device performance, Netflix server load, and the bitrate of the title you're downloading.

Part 3. 9 Ways to Make Netflix Downloads Faster on Phone

Below are nine practical fixes that can help speed up Netflix downloads on both iPhone and Android devices. Start by checking your download quality, network connection, and app settings. These factors have a much bigger impact on download speed than most people realize.

Fix 1. Change Netflix Download Video Quality to Standard

Step 1. Open the Netflix app and tap My Netflix in the bottom right corner.

Step 2. Tap your profile name in the top left to open App Settings.

Step 3. Tap Video Quality.

Step 4. Select Standard.

Fix 2. Set Data Usage Settings to Maximum

If you download over mobile data, check the data usage settings in the Netflix app. Netflix gives you several usage levels, and Maximum Data tells the app to use your full connection which may speed up the download on Netflix.

This can help if Netflix is limiting the connection too aggressively on cellular. It is especially useful when Wi-Fi is slower than your phone's mobile data.

Step 1. Open Netflix.

Step 2. Go to My Netflix.

Step 3. Open App Settings.

Step 4. Find Cellular Data Usage.

Step 5. Turn off Automatic if needed.

Step 6. Choose Maximum Data.

Fix 3. Turn Off Smart Downloads

Smart Downloads can be useful when you want to always have some movies or episodes from Netflix downloaded on your mobile, but it can also conflict with the title you are trying to download manually.

If you want to reduce background activity, simply go to App Settings in the Netflix app. Find the Smart Downloads section. From there, you can toggle off Download Next Episode and Downloads for You.

Fix 4. Use the Netflix App Reset (iPhone/iPad)

If your Netflix download isn't just slow but completely stuck at 0%, showing "Queuing," or frozen on a progress bar that won't move, you can try an iOS fix from the Settings app. It's a soft reset through the system settings rather than just force-quitting the app.

Step 1. Close the Netflix app and go to your iPhone/iPad's Settings.

Step 2. Scroll down and tap Netflix.

Step 3. At the bottom of the Netflix settings page, enable the Reset toggle.

Step 4. Go back to your home screen and reopen Netflix. It will force you to log in again.

Step 5. After logging back in, return to Settings → Netflix and turn the Reset toggle back off.

Step 6. Try your download again.

Fix 5. Clear Netflix Cache on Android or Reinstall the App on iPhone

Over time, Netflix accumulates a surprising amount of cached data, such as temporary files, fragments of old downloads, and metadata. Deleting the app cache can accelerate Netflix downloads.

On Android:

Step 1. Long-press the Netflix icon on your home screen.

Step 2. Tap App Info.

Step 3. Tap Storage & cache.

Step 4. Tap Clear Cache.

On iPhone:

iOS doesn't offer a standalone cache-clearing button. Your best option is a clean reinstall:

Step 1. Long-press the Netflix icon and select Remove App → Delete App.

Step 2. Reinstall Netflix from the App Store.

Fix 6. Close Other Background Downloads and Heavy Apps

Background apps, especially games, social media, and cloud sync tools like iCloud or Google Photos quietly consume CPU cycles and network bandwidth even when you're not actively using them. On mobile, this adds up fast.

Step 1. Swipe up from the bottom (or double-tap the Home button) to open your app switcher.

Step 2. Swipe away everything except Netflix.

Step 3. Return to Netflix and check if download speed improves.

Fix 7. Pause Other Network-Heavy Activities

Your Netflix download doesn't just compete with apps on your phone; it shares bandwidth with every device on your home network. When you are downloading a movie or show on Netflix, you'd better pause or stop:

Fix 8. Switch Between Wi-Fi and Cellular Data, or Try Another Network

From my personal experience, sometimes cellular data downloads faster than Wi-Fi. You can try pulling down your status bar, turning off Wi-Fi, and enabling mobile data to see if your download speeds improve.

If mobile data is slower, toggle Airplane Mode on for about 10 seconds, then turn it off. This forces your phone to reconnect to the nearest cell tower and can fix routing issues.

If you're trying to decide which network performs better, I've found that AT&T's download speeds are usually faster than Verizon's, especially on the Netflix app. This observation is also mentioned in some Reddit discussions.

Fix 9. Upgrade to a 5GHz Wi-Fi Band

If you are on Wi-Fi, 5GHz is usually faster and less crowded than 2.4GHz. It also tends to suffer less interference from nearby devices.

Here's how to connect to 5G or 5GHz Wi-Fi:

Step 1. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings.

Step 2. Look for your network name with a _5G or _5GHz suffix and connect to it.

Step 3. Stay close to your router during the download — 5 GHz has shorter range and struggles more with walls.

Part 4. Need More Than Netflix's Built-In Downloads?

The fixes above can help improve download speed in the Netflix app, but the built-in download feature still has some limitations. Netflix does not support downloads on Windows or Mac, and using a phone to download an entire season or manage a large offline library is not always practical.

If you want to save Netflix videos on your computer and keep them as regular video files, a desktop downloader can be a more flexible option. VidiFab Netflix Video Downloader lets you save videos as MP4 or MKV files in up to 1080p, with audio tracks and subtitles preserved. Its batch download mode can also speed up the download process by up to 7× compared with real-time playback, making it easier to download multiple episodes at once.

Part 5. FAQs about Netflix Download Speed

Final Thoughts

If you want to speed up Netflix downloads, start with Standard download quality, Smart Downloads off, and fewer background apps. Then move to network changes, 5GHz Wi-Fi, and finally reset or reinstall if the app still misbehaves.

If you're preparing for a long trip and need to download a lot of content fast, the VidiFab Streaming Video Downloader is worth trying. It avoids the mobile Netflix app bugs or caches, performs more stably, and gives you the best chance to boost Netflix download speed.