If you’ve ever noticed Netflix starting an episode instantly, resuming exactly where you left off, or seeming to “remember” what you watched even when your internet connection isn’t great, you might wonder: where does Netflix cache my recent episodes?
The short answer is: it depends on the device you’re using — and Netflix is very deliberate about how (and if) it stores content locally.
Let’s break it down.
Caching refers to temporarily storing data locally so it can be accessed faster later. For Netflix, caching can involve:
Video segments
Playback position
Metadata (episode lists, thumbnails, subtitles)
Downloaded content (if you’ve explicitly downloaded it)
Netflix does not casually store full episodes on your device unless you’ve chosen to download them.
When you stream a show:
Netflix buffers small chunks of video ahead of playback
These chunks are stored temporarily
They are deleted automatically after use
This buffering helps smooth playback but does not mean the episode is saved.
When you download an episode:
The full episode is stored locally
It remains on your device until:
You delete it
It expires
The app removes it due to licence restrictions
Examples:
Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony)
Apple TV
Fire TV
Games consoles
What happens:
Netflix caches data in encrypted internal storage
You cannot access or view the files
The cache is managed entirely by the app and OS
Key point:
You cannot see, move, or reuse cached episodes on these devices.
Cached streaming data lives in the app’s private storage
Downloaded episodes are stored as encrypted files
Files are unusable outside the Netflix app
You’ll typically find storage usage under:
Settings → Apps → Netflix → Storage
Apple heavily sandboxes apps
All Netflix cache and downloads live inside the app’s container
Users have no file-level access
Key point:
Even downloaded episodes can’t be copied or watched outside Netflix.
Downloads are stored locally
Files are encrypted and tied to the device and account
Netflix does not support offline downloads
Streaming cache is temporary and cleared automatically
Netflix deliberately:
Encrypts all cached and downloaded video
Stores it in app-only directories
Prevents access outside the app
This is due to:
Content licensing agreements
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Anti-piracy requirements
Even if you locate the files, they’re not playable video files.
No.
Netflix does not cache content on:
Your router
Your ISP’s local storage (from your perspective)
Your home network
However, Netflix does use Open Connect, its global CDN, which places Netflix servers inside or near ISPs. This makes content load faster, but it’s not your local cache.
Even without caching full episodes, Netflix stores:
Your watch history
Resume position
Viewing preferences
Downloads list
These are stored in your Netflix account, not just on your device — which is why everything syncs across devices.
In summary:
Streaming episodes are only temporarily buffered
Full episodes are cached only if downloaded
All cached data is:
Encrypted
App-controlled
Inaccessible to users
Nothing is stored in a reusable or shareable way
Netflix optimises for fast playback, not permanent local storage.
Netflix’s caching strategy is designed to be:
Invisible to users
Secure for content owners
Efficient for streaming performance
If you’re looking to save space, clearing the Netflix app cache or removing downloads is the only practical control you have — and Netflix handles the rest automatically.