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 still crawl or freeze even when they're sitting 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 10 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.

Why Are Netflix Downloads So Slow?

Before jumping into fixes, it helps to understand what's actually causing the slowdown. Possible reasons that slow down Netflix downloads:

Any one of these can drag your download speed to a crawl. Often it's a combination. Work through the fixes below and you should see a noticeable improvement.

Solution 1. Change Netflix Download Video Quality to Standard

This is the fastest fix to improve Netflix download speed. Higher quality = larger file = longer download time. If you're in a hurry or just need content for commuting, Standard quality is perfectly watchable and downloads dramatically faster than High or Ultra HD.

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.

Solution 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.

Solution 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.

Solution 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.

Solution 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.

Solution 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.

Solution 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:

Solution 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.

Solution 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.

Solution 10. Use a Dedicated Third-Party Netflix Video Downloader

If you regularly encounter slow download speeds or strict download limitations on mobile operating systems, consider using an authorized desktop third-party Netflix video downloader app on your Windows or Mac computer.

A dedicated desktop downloader like VidiFab Netflix Video Downloader (also marketed as VidiFab Streaming Video Downloader) changes the equation. It can reach download speeds up to 7x faster than the built-in Netflix app; so an episode that would normally take 20 minutes might finish in under 3.

How to Use VidiFab Netflix Video Downloader for Max Speed

VidiFab Netflix Video Downloader bypasses mobile carrier throttling by pulling data directly through your computer's high-speed hardware. Follow these optimized steps to download Netflix videos to your laptop for the fastest results:

Step 1. Set Up VidiFab and Configure Your Output

Install and open VidiFab Netflix Video Downloader on your PC or Mac. Click the menu icon in the top right and go to Preferences. Set your output format to MP4 (the most compatible option for playback on any device) or MKV if you want to preserve more audio tracks. Save and close.

Return to the main interface, select the Netflix icon, and log into your account using the secure, built-in browser.

Step 2. Search for the Title You Want to Download

Use the browser to search for the movie or season you want. You can also copy the title's URL directly from your regular browser and paste it into VidiFab's search bar. Open the title's detail page and VidiFab will automatically analyze the stream and surface the download option. Click the Download button displayed in the bottom right corner.

Step 3. Choose Your Quality, Audio, and Subtitle Settings

An advanced settings panel will appear. Choose your preferred resolution, such as 1080p for full HD, and select your audio track (standard AAC stereo works for most setups, or choose 5.1 surround if your system supports it). Next, pick your subtitle language and decide whether to embed subtitles directly into the video or save them as a separate file.

Step 4. Download and Transfer to Your Device

Click Download. If the internet is working fine on the computer, VidiFab should download at up to 7 times faster than you normally do on the Netflix app. I tried to download a 2-hour-long movie using the VidiFab software; it took me about 15-17 minutes, which I think is acceptable.

Once it finishes, head to the History tab and click the folder icon to locate your saved file. You can open it in any local video player such as VLC. To watch on your phone or tablet, transfer the file via AirDrop, USB cable, or upload it to Google Drive or Dropbox and access it from anywhere.

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 Netflix 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.