DB Labs
The Short Answer
Netflix downloads are large video files — a single episode at High quality is 1-2 GB. To manage them: open Netflix → Downloads → Edit → select titles → Delete. Change download quality to Standard via Netflix App Settings → Video Quality → Standard (saves 50-70% per episode). Disable Smart Downloads if you do not need auto-queuing. Set a storage limit in App Settings → Download Location to cap how much Netflix can use.
How Much Storage Netflix Uses
Netflix download file sizes vary by video quality and episode length. Here is a rough guide:
| Quality | 30-min Episode | 60-min Episode | Feature Film (~2 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | ~250 MB | ~500 MB | ~1 GB |
| High | ~700 MB | ~1.5 GB | ~3 GB |
| Ultra HD (4K) | ~1.5 GB | ~3 GB | ~6 GB |
Most iPhones cannot display 4K (the screen is 1080p), so downloading at Ultra HD provides zero visible benefit and triples the file size. Always use Standard or High for phone viewing.
How to Delete Netflix Downloads
1 Go to Your Downloads
Open Netflix and tap the Downloads icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a downward arrow). This lists all your downloaded content.
2 Select and Delete
Tap Edit in the top-right corner. Tap the red circle next to each title you want to delete, then tap Delete. To delete everything at once, tap Select All after tapping Edit, then tap Delete.
3 Verify Storage Recovery
Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Netflix to confirm the storage has been freed. It may take a moment for iOS to update the figure. If Netflix still shows a large number, offload the app (Offload App on the same screen) and reinstall it for a full reset.
Change Download Quality
This is the most impactful long-term change you can make. Open Netflix, tap your profile icon, tap App Settings, then under Downloads tap Video Quality. Select Standard. Quality on a 6-inch phone screen is essentially identical to High — you will not notice the difference — but your downloads will be 50-70% smaller.
Smart Downloads and Storage Limits
Netflix's Smart Downloads feature automatically downloads the next episode of a series when you finish watching one. It also auto-deletes watched episodes to manage space. This is useful for commuters but can catch you off guard if you suddenly find Netflix has downloaded 5 episodes of a new show overnight.
To disable Smart Downloads: App Settings → Smart Downloads → toggle off. Alternatively, keep it on but ensure your Downloads Location storage limit is set. In App Settings you can set a maximum storage allocation for Netflix downloads — setting it to 5-10 GB prevents it from consuming unlimited space.
Tips to Keep Netflix Storage Under Control
- Delete as you watch: After finishing an episode, delete it immediately before Netflix auto-queues the next one.
- Only download right before a trip: Download shows the day before you need offline access, not weeks ahead.
- Use streaming when on Wi-Fi: Only download for flights, road trips, or places without reliable connectivity.
- Check expiry dates: Netflix downloads expire — some in 7 days, some in 48 hours after you first press play. Expired downloads take up space but cannot be watched. Delete them promptly.
For a full picture of what is consuming your iPhone storage, see our complete iPhone storage guide and our article on managing YouTube offline downloads.