Netflix users on Android can now stream partially downloaded content

Netflix is launching a new feature for Android users that allows them to view partially downloaded titles — which will hopefully make exasperated attempts to quickly download content minutes before a flight a slightly less distressing experience.

Beginning today, Android users on mobile and tablets (versions 7.64 and higher) will be able to stream Netflix shows and movies before their download is completed. Previously, a title needed to be completely finished downloading to a device before it could be viewed — which, depending on your wifi connection or data plan could make streaming a title a headache, particularly in the aforementioned airport scenario.

Partial downloading will be limited to Android mobile and tablet devices for now, but Netflix said it “will be testing on iOS in the coming months.” Additionally, the company said that the Downloads for You feature, which auto-downloads recommended titles based on watch history and rolled out to Android users in February, would be getting a test on iOS “soon.” iOS users can access Smart Downloads, which launched in 2019 and downloads the next episode of a series a user is viewing, in their settings.

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