Key Takeaways
- Official Limits: Amazon Prime typically allows a maximum of 15 to 25 downloaded titles per account, depending on your region.
- Device Restrictions: You can only download the same video to two devices at a time.
- Expiration: Downloads usually expire 30 days after saving them, or 48 hours once you start watching.
- Solutions: You can free up space by deleting old content or deregistering unused devices. For permanent offline access, third-party software options exist but come with legal and account safety considerations.
Discovering you’ve hit the Amazon Prime download limit right before a long flight or road trip is frustrating. Whether it’s the 25-title cap or the 48-hour viewing window, these restrictions can disrupt your offline viewing plans. This guide explains exactly what these limits are, why they exist, and the step-by-step methods to manage or remove them for uninterrupted entertainment.
What Is Amazon Prime Download Limit?
The “Amazon Prime download limit” is not a single restriction but a collection of rules that govern how you consume content offline. Amazon imposes these caps to manage digital rights and ensure their service isn’t abused. If you are seeing error messages like “Download Limit Exceeded,” it is likely due to one of the following three restrictions:
1. The Account-Wide Quantity Limit
For most users in the US and UK, Amazon Prime Video enforces a limit of 15 to 25 titles downloaded across all devices registered to your account.
- This is a cumulative total. If you have 10 movies on your iPad and 15 on your child’s Fire Tablet, you have hit the 25-title cap.
- If you try to download a 26th title, you will receive a notification asking you to delete existing downloads first.
2. The Per-Title Device Limit
You cannot download the exact same movie or TV show episode to unlimited devices. Amazon restricts a specific title to be downloaded on only two devices simultaneously.
- Example: If you download The Boys Season 3, Episode 1 on your iPhone and your Android tablet, you cannot download that same episode on a third device until you delete it from one of the first two.
3. Time Limits (Expiration)
Even if you have successfully downloaded a video, it won’t stay playable forever.
- 30-Day Storage Window: Once you download a title, you typically have 30 days to begin watching it. If you don’t press play within a month, the download expires and must be renewed (requiring an internet connection).
- 48-Hour Viewing Window: This is the one that catches most people off guard. Once you press “Play” on a downloaded title, a timer starts. You have 48 hours to finish watching it. After 48 hours, the video locks and requires a data connection to re-authorize.
Why Does Amazon Place Limits on Video Downloads?
It can be frustrating to pay for a subscription and still face restrictions, but these limits are primarily legal requirements rather than arbitrary rules imposed by Amazon.
1. Licensing Agreements and DRM
Amazon does not own all the content on Prime Video. Much of the library consists of movies and shows licensed from other studios (like Paramount, Sony, or Lionsgate). These studios require Digital Rights Management (DRM) to prevent piracy. The download limits ensure that users are “renting” access to the file rather than owning a permanent copy that could be shared illegally.
2. Regional Rights
Streaming rights are often sold region by region. A movie available in the US might not be licensed for viewing in France. Download limits—specifically the requirement to connect to the internet periodically—allow Amazon to verify your location and ensure you aren’t watching content in a region where they don’t hold the rights.
3. Prevention of Account Sharing
The limit of 15-25 titles across an account prevents a single Prime subscription from supplying an entire extended family or dormitory with offline content. By capping the total downloads, Amazon encourages heavy users to get their own subscriptions.
Can You Remove Amazon Prime Download Limit?
Strictly speaking, you cannot remove the limits imposed by the official Amazon Prime Video app; they are hard-coded into the software. However, you can manage them to restore your ability to download or use third-party tools to bypass them completely.
Method 1: The Official Way (Freeing Up Space)
If you see a “Limit Reached” error, the standard solution is to delete old content.
Step 1: Check Downloads on All Devices
Since the limit is account-wide, the problem might be on a device you aren’t currently holding. Check old tablets or phones you gave to family members.
Step 2: Delete Content
- Open the Prime Video app.
- Navigate to My Stuff or Downloads.
- Tap Edit or the three vertical dots next to a video.
- Select Delete Download.
Step 3: Deregister Unused Devices
If you have broken or lost devices that still have downloads on them, they are counting toward your limit.
- Go to the Amazon website and log in.
- Navigate to Account & Lists > Content & Devices.
- Click on the Devices tab.
- Select Prime Video.
- Find the old device and click Deregister. This will remotely clear the downloads associated with that device from your account tally.
Method 2: The Bypass Way (Third-Party Downloaders)
Note: Using third-party tools to rip content may violate Amazon’s Terms of Service. Proceed at your own discretion.
To truly remove the limit—meaning you want to keep videos forever, transfer them to other devices, or download more than 25 titles—you need to move outside the official app. Using a Prime Video downloader like Keeprix is the best way to remove the Amazon Prime download limit.
How it works:
- Download and Install: You install the software on a PC or Mac.
- Log In: You log into your Amazon account via the software’s built-in browser.
- Download: You select a movie. The software streams the video in the background at high speed and saves it as a plain MP4 or MKV file on your computer.
Benefits of this method:
- No Quantity Limit: You can download as many files as your hard drive can hold.
- No Expiration: The files are standard video files; they never expire after 48 hours.
- Device Freedom: You can transfer the MP4 file to a USB drive, iPad, or Android phone without using the Prime app.
FAQs About Amazon Prime Download Limit
1. Why can’t I download more on Amazon Prime?
If you cannot download more titles, you have likely hit the account-wide limit (usually 25 titles) or the device storage limit.
- Check Account Limit: Have you downloaded a lot of episodes on a different iPad or Fire Tablet? Those count against your total.
- Check Storage: Ensure your phone has enough internal space.
- Licensing: Check if the specific title is downloadable. If there is no download icon, that specific movie does not have offline viewing rights.
2. How to fix device limit reached on Amazon Prime?
This error usually means you have exceeded the maximum number of devices allowed to view a specific title (2 devices) or the total devices on the account.
- Solution: Go to Amazon Prime Video settings. Under the Devices tab, deregister any old phones or tablets you no longer use. This immediately frees up slots for new downloads.
3. How many GB is a 2 hour movie on Amazon Prime?
The size depends heavily on the Download Quality setting you choose in the app settings.
- Data Saver / Good: Approx. 0.3 GB per hour (~0.6 GB for a 2-hour movie).
- Better: Approx. 0.8 – 1.0 GB per hour (~1.8 GB for a 2-hour movie).
- Best: Approx. 1.5 – 2.0 GB per hour (or higher on 4K devices). A 2-hour movie in “Best” quality can take up 3 GB to 5 GB.
- Tip: To save space, go to Settings > Stream & Download > Download Quality and select “Better” rather than “Best”.
4. Is it safe to remove the download limit on Amazon Prime?
If you remove the limit by managing your devices (deleting old files), it is 100% safe and recommended. If you use third-party downloaders to bypass limits:
- Safety: Most reputable tools (like TuneBoto or KeepStreams) are safe from viruses, but you should always scan files.
- Account Risk: While rare, Amazon technically reserves the right to suspend accounts that violate Terms of Service by ripping content. Use these tools for personal archiving only and avoid distributing the files.
Conclusion
The Amazon Prime download limit of 25 titles and the 48-hour viewing window are designed to protect copyright, but they can be a major hurdle for travelers and binge-watchers. By understanding how to manage your registered devices and delete old “ghost” downloads, you can usually stay within the official rules without issue. However, for those who need permanent offline libraries or flexible file formats, third-party video downloaders offer a powerful—albeit unofficial—workaround. Before your next trip, check your Manage Content and Devices dashboard to ensure your slots are open and you aren’t caught without your favorite movies when the Wi-Fi disconnects.
