Netflix for Android can now download your favorite shows automatically
Netflix is making it easier to keep track of your favorite shows.
Today, the company announced it will begin rolling out a feature called Smart Downloads. When enabled, the app will automatically download the next episode after you finish watching a downloaded show. The feature rolls out to Android today and will reach iOS users later this year.
Smart Downloads will likely be a boon to people who frequently watch TV shows during their commutes. The feature only works over WiFi (so that you don't have to worry about passing your mobile data limits). It will theoretically solve that all-too-relatable moment when an episode ends, and the next one isn't already saved on your phone or tablet.
Netflix's director of product innovation Cameron Johnson told Mashable, "This is an example of us looking at Netflix members and the pain points they have, then trying to come up with solutions that make the experience better and [help them] get more value out of the membership.”
One of the "smarter" aspects of the new feature is that it will keep track of how many episodes you like to save in your queue. For example, if you download two episodes, when you finish watching them, it will delete them and download the next two. Because the app is constantly replacing the episodes when you are done with them, it doesn’t take up any extra storage.
On Android, you can see Smart Downloads working in the background because a notification will appear on your lock screen. Cameron said the team is hoping to have the iOS version of the feature ready by the end of 2018 and also said it would likely look different than the Android version. iOS Notifications will not support the ability to see the download progress on the lock screen.
Smart Downloads is relatively straightforward feature at first glance, but I have a strong feeling it could open up a whole realm of new possibilities for people who download a lot of episodes. It should make it way easier to keep track of your favorite shows. Plus the issue of not having something to watch should go away for a lot of travelers.
For now, Android users can scream and shout in excitement. To start using the feature immediately, be sure to update to the latest version of the Netflix app from the Play Store.
