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How to use Netflix's new downloading service

Netflix is offering a free downloading service on tons of titles, making watching movies and shows on the go a cinch. Here's how to use it.

screenshot of Netflix's new download tool

Clear some space on your tablets and phones, because this is huge.

Netflix recently announced that on top of streaming, they will offer a download option on many of their titles (not every title, but there's lots to choose from) at no additional cost. So, basically, you can spend your whole life binge-watching — even on the go. Think of the possibilities: Narco for you on the commute to the office, The Croods and Paw Patrol for your easily-bored tot to watch in the car or on a flight.

Available on iOS and Android platforms, the new download tool is super easy to use. Just make sure you've updated your Netflix app to the latest version.  Go to Menu (the three white bars in the top left corner) and press Available for Download to scroll all of the downloadable content.

Netflix iPad screenshot

To download, simply select the download icon (it's an arrow pointing down) which will be near the movie title or next to each episode if you're downloading a show.

iPad screenshot of Octonauts on Netflix

Once you hit download, you'll see a blue progress bar along the bottom of your Netflix app. You can stop a download at any time by pressing the blue square in the centre.

To find your downloaded shows and movie, go to Menu and select My Downloads. Hit play and watch away.

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If you have ample space (and don't mind waiting longer for a download), consider downloading in high quality. To do this, go to Menu > App Settings > Downloads, then tap Video Quality and choose High Quality.

ipad screenshot of netflix settings

Here are our fave picks (as Netflix updates content, some of these titles may change).

Movies 
Home
The Nut Job
Hotel Transylvania
The Croods
The Smurfs 2
Gnomeo & Juliet
Jurassic World: The Indominus Escape
Animals United
The Land Before Time
Hoodwinked
Coraline
Casper's Scare School
The Prince of Egypt
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart
Goosebumps
The Last Unicorn
Matilda
Mirror Mirror

Shows 
Paw Patrol
Skylanders Academy
Project MC2
Home Adventures with Tip & Oh
World Winx
All Hail King Julien
Pokemon The Series XY
Super Why
Peppa Pig
Octonauts
Alvinnn!!! And the Chipmunks
Nasha and the Bear
DinoTrux
Dora the Explorer
Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse
The Adventures of Puss in Boots
Lego Friends

Read more:
6 simple ways to get a handle on your kids screen time 3 best tablets for families Is using a tablet to keep your kid occupied lazy parenting?

This article was originally published on Dec 02, 2016

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Amy is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in publications like Chatelaine, Toronto Life and The Globe and Mail

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