Today, Netflix announced a new feature that allows users to download movies and TV shows and save them locally on your device, making it easier to enjoy the app on flights or anywhere that doesn’t have a stable data connection. It’s a stellar new addition, but there’s just one problem: It doesn’t save movies in the highest possible quality by default. Here’s how to fix that.
IT FINALLY HAPPENED: Netflix now lets you download movies to watch offline
First, make sure your Netflix app is updated to the latest version. Chances are you’ve already done that, but just in case you haven’t, go ahead and make sure. Then, head into the Netflix app menu and scroll all the way down to the bottom to find “App Settings.”
Here you’ll find the new settings for the download feature. Here you can toggle the “Wi-Fi Only” restriction on or off, delete all downloads, and also view exactly how much storage you have left on your device, and how much of your used space is being taken up by your Netflix downloads. But we’re here for the video quality tweak, so tap that option.
You’ll see that the app has set the quality mode to “Standard” by default. As the app notes, this resolution downloads faster and uses less of your storage space. If you’re ready to embrace full HD and have the free GBs to do so, go ahead and click the “Higher” option.
Now, in regards to storage space, Netflix isn’t joking when it says the “Higher” quality is a heavier lift. Using No Country For Old Men as an example, you can see the difference in the storage sizes between the “Standard” and “Higher” quality. Here’s the default size:
And here’s the max HD version:
That’s a file size increase of over 60%, and if you plan on downloading a whole bunch of shows and movies, your free space is going to disappear in no time flat. Still, it’s probably worth it.
