Netflix introduces ‘smart downloads’

Netflix has introduced a new ‘smart downloads’ feature that will see the service automatically delete an episode once it has been watched and then download the next one.

The new functionality is initially available on Android phones and tablets running the latest version of the Netflix app and kicks in when a user is connected to WiFi. Users can opt to manually manage their downloaded content by turning off smart downloads.

“We know how annoying it can be to go through all your apps and delete files you no longer need; we also understand that when it comes to Netflix, the faster you can get to the next episode you want to watch, the better,” said Cameron Johnson, Netflix’s director of product innovation, in a company blog post.

“We want to emphasise that giving consumers more control over their entertainment experience is at the heart of everything we do, and members can choose when they want to use smart downloads.”

Smart downloads builds on the download function that Netflix first rolled out in 2016, which first allowed Android and iOS users to watch selected Netflix content on their mobile devices when they are on the move or not connected to the web.