Netflix Introduces Auto-Download Feature For Android Users, iOS To Follow Soon

Netflix has added a new auto-download function to its Android app. The functionality is named Downloads For You, and it will download movies and shows based on subscriber viewing preferences and history.

The Downloads For You feature will be available on Netflix’s Android app globally from February 22. The functionality was tested on select users late last year, and the company has confirmed that it will be rolled out for iOS users soon.

Netflix states that the majority of its content will be available for download, with the exceptions due to licensing issues. In a statement, Patrick Flemming, Netflix’s director of product innovation, said, "We're excited to introduce Downloads For You. People who choose this new feature will have shows or movies automatically downloaded to their devices, with recommendations based on their tastes. We want to make discovering your next new favorite series or film even easier, whether you're connected or not."

Downloads For You follows Smart Downloads, which Netflix introduced in 2018. This feature automatically downloads the latest episode of a shows once a previous episode has been viewed.

One person who might not be happy with Netflix automatically selecting what movies it downloads to his cellphone is Martin Scorsese. Last week, the legendary director criticised major streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon for treating films as content that they push towards subscribers based on algorithms, as opposed to the more curated approach taken by smaller services.