How to Download Crunchyroll Anime for Offline Viewing 2026

Understanding Offline Viewing on Crunchyroll

One of the most valuable features of Crunchyroll Premium is the ability to download anime episodes for offline viewing. This feature is perfect for commuters, travelers, or anyone with limited internet access. You can download your favorite series and watch them on planes, trains, or anywhere without WiFi or cellular data.

Offline downloads are exclusively available to Premium subscribers. Free tier users do not have access to this feature. If you're considering upgrading, our comparison guide can help you decide which Premium tier offers the best value for your needs.

Premium Subscription Requirement

Offline viewing is a Premium-only feature. Here's what you need to know:

• Fan Plan ($7.99/month) - Includes offline viewing on up to 2 mobile devices
• Mega Plan ($11.99/month) - Offline viewing on up to 4 mobile devices
• Ultimate Plan ($14.99/month) - Offline viewing on up to 6 mobile devices with extended expiration

Downloads remain available for 30 days from the date of download. Once you start watching a downloaded episode, you have 48 hours to finish viewing before it expires. After expiration, you'll need to reconnect to the internet to renew the download.

How to Download on iOS Devices

Downloading anime on your iPhone or iPad is straightforward:

1. Open the Crunchyroll app on your iOS device
2. Navigate to the episode you want to download. You can browse by series or use the search function
3. Look for the download icon (downward arrow) next to the episode title or in the episode details screen
4. Tap the download icon to start the download. You'll see a progress indicator
5. Access your downloads by tapping the "Downloads" tab in the bottom navigation bar

Download Quality Options: On iOS, you can choose between standard quality (smaller file size, faster download) or high quality (better video, larger file size). To change this setting:

1. Go to Settings (gear icon) in the app
2. Select "Video Quality" or "Download Quality"
3. Choose between Standard (480p-720p) or High (720p-1080p)

How to Download on Android Devices

The download process is similar on Android smartphones and tablets:

1. Launch the Crunchyroll app on your Android device
2. Find the episode you want to download through browsing or search
3. Tap the download button (down arrow icon) visible on episode thumbnails or in the episode detail view
4. Confirm quality selection if prompted (Android gives more granular quality options)
5. Monitor downloads in the notification shade or by accessing the Downloads section

Android Download Settings: Android offers more flexibility with download settings:

• Download over Wi-Fi only - Prevents using cellular data (recommended for large downloads)
• Quality selection - Choose from Low (480p), Medium (720p), or High (1080p)
• Download location - Some Android devices let you choose between internal storage or SD card
• Auto-download - Set up automatic downloads for new episodes of series you're watching

Device Limits and Concurrent Downloads

Your Premium plan determines how many devices can store downloaded content simultaneously:

If you reach your device limit, you'll need to remove a device from your downloads. Go to Settings > Account > Manage Devices to remove old devices. For families sharing an account, the Family Plan might be a better option to get more device slots.

Download Quality and Storage Management

Understanding download quality and storage requirements is essential for managing your device storage effectively:

Storage Management Tips:

• Regularly delete watched episodes to free up space
• Use Wi-Fi only downloads to avoid cellular data charges
• Consider lower quality for binge-watching, higher for favorites
• Check your storage before downloading entire series
• On Android with SD card, set download location to external storage

Watching Downloaded Content

Once you've downloaded episodes, watching them offline is simple:

1. Open the Crunchyroll app (no internet connection required)
2. Tap the "Downloads" tab in the bottom navigation
3. Browse your downloaded episodes by series or in a list view
4. Tap any episode to start watching immediately
5. Use standard playback controls (pause, skip, adjust quality settings)

Downloaded episodes include all the same features as streaming: subtitle selection, audio options (where available), and video player controls. The only limitation is that you cannot switch to a different episode or series without returning to the Downloads section if you're completely offline.

Managing Downloads and Expiration

Keeping track of your downloads helps ensure you always have content available:

• Download Expiration: Downloads expire after 30 days. The app shows expiration dates for each episode
• Viewing Window: Once you start watching, you have 48 hours to finish
• Renewing Downloads: Connect to WiFi and open the app to renew expired downloads
• Deleting Downloads: Swipe left on the episode in the Downloads list and tap "Delete"
• Batch Deletion: Use "Edit" mode to select and delete multiple episodes at once

Pro Tip: Before a long trip, verify all your downloads are current by opening the app while connected to WiFi. This will renew any downloads that are close to expiration.

Auto-Download New Episodes

Never miss an episode of your favorite series with auto-download settings:

1. Go to any series page in the Crunchyroll app
2. Look for the "Settings" or "Options" gear icon
3. Enable "Auto-download new episodes"
4. Choose your preferred quality setting
5. Ensure "Wi-Fi only" is enabled to avoid cellular data charges

This feature is perfect for ongoing series. New episodes will download automatically when they're released (usually 1 hour after airing in Japan), so you always have the latest content ready to watch offline.

Troubleshooting Download Issues

Experiencing problems with downloads? Here are common issues and solutions:

For more detailed troubleshooting help, visit our comprehensive troubleshooting guide.

Offline Viewing vs. Streaming: When to Use Each

Understanding when to download versus stream helps optimize your Crunchyroll experience:

Is Offline Viewing Worth the Premium Subscription?

If you're deciding whether to upgrade to Premium for offline viewing, consider your viewing habits:

Offline viewing is invaluable if you commute, travel frequently, or have unreliable internet access. The ability to download and watch anywhere adds tremendous flexibility to your anime watching experience. Combined with other Premium benefits like ad-free streaming, simulcasts, and full HD quality, it's a compelling reason to upgrade.

For viewers who primarily watch at home with reliable internet, offline viewing might be less critical. However, you'll still benefit from ad-free viewing, same-day simulcasts, and the complete manga library access that comes with Premium.