How to Download Amazon Prime Movies on Mac: The Definitive 2025 Guide
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Hi there! Are you trying to figure out how to watch your favorite Amazon Prime shows on your MacBook during a flight, on the subway, or anywhere else the internet can't reach? For a long time, this was a frustrating puzzle for Mac users. But I’ve got great news: it’s now easier than ever.
Amazon has a dedicated Prime Video app for macOS, and it’s the key to your offline viewing needs.
In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know. We'll start with the official, easy method using the app. Then, we'll dive into the app's limitations (because they're important to know) and explore an alternative method for those who need more flexibility, based on my own experiences. Let's get started.
The Official Way: Using the Prime Video App for Mac
Honestly, for most people, this is the best and safest way to download content from Prime Video. It's official, free, and designed to function flawlessly on your Mac.
Step 1: How to Install the Prime Video App on Your Mac
First things first, you need to get the app. It's a breeze.
- Open the App Store on your Mac (you can find it in your Dock or by searching with Spotlight).
- In the search bar, type "Prime Video" and press Enter.
- You'll see the official Amazon Prime Video app. Click the "Get" button, then "Install." You might need to enter your Apple ID password.
- The app is free to download and will appear in your Applications folder once it's done.
Step 2: A Clear Guide to Downloading Movies & Shows
With the app installed, you're just a few clicks away from downloading.
- Log In: Open the Prime Video app and sign in with your Amazon account credentials.
- Find Your Content: Browse or search for the movie or TV series you want to download.
- Click the Download Icon: On the title's detail page, you’ll see a downward-pointing arrow icon for downloading. For a TV series, you can choose to download the entire season or individual episodes.
- Choose Your Quality: The app will ask you to select a download quality. Typically, the options are Good, Better, and Best. "Best" will give you the sharpest image but will take up the most disk space.
- Access Your Downloads: Click on the "Downloads" tab in the app's sidebar to see everything you've saved for offline viewing.
Disk space on a Mac is precious：
The "Best" quality setting can use over 2 GB per hour of video, while "Good" is closer to 500 MB.
You can see how much space the app is using and manage your downloads directly from the "Downloads" tab to free up space when needed.
Understanding Prime Video Download Limitations
While the official app is fantastic, it comes with a few restrictions designed to protect Prime Video digital rights. It’s important to know these before you download a dozen movies for a long trip.
A1. This is a common question. The downloaded files are stored in a protected, hidden folder on your Mac. Even if you locate them, the video files of Amazon Prime Video are encrypted by DRM and can only be played through the Prime Video app.
You can't copy them to a USB drive or open them in another player like VLC.
A2. Directly and simply: No. The official Prime Video app does not allow you to change the download location or move the downloaded files to an external hard drive or SD card. Everything is stored on your Mac's internal drive.
A3. Your downloads don't last forever. How long will it last? The rules are generally:
- You have 30 days to start watching a downloaded title.
- Once you press play, you typically have 48 hours to finish watching it before it expires.
After a title expires, you may be able to renew it if it's still available on Prime Video.
What if the official app's limitations are a deal-breaker for you? If you absolutely need to save videos to an external drive or want a permanent copy of a movie you've purchased, third-party downloader software is an option some users turn to.
Before we dive in, a quick word on safety. You might see online video downloaders or browser plugins that promise similar results. From my experience, I'd advise caution with those. A dedicated desktop application is generally a safer bet. You aren't executing code from a random website, and the risk of running into phishing schemes or malware is significantly lower with a reputable, installed program.
One such tool is Y2Mate Prime Video Downloader. It's a dedicated desktop client designed specifically for this task. It operates with a built-in browser where you log into your Prime account, find your video, and then use the tool's interface to download it.
The app is built to handle Prime Video downloads up to 1080p in MP4 or MKV formats, and it can grab entire seasons of a show in one go (Batch Mode). It also lets you download subtitles and choose from different audio tracks, like EAC3 5.1, which is ideal for a home theater setup. In terms of cost, tools like this usually run on a subscription basis. You can expect plans starting from a yearly bill of US$5.41 / month, better value on an annual or lifetime plan, and they typically offer a free trial to test the functionality first.
How to Use Y2Mate Prime Video Downloader?
This is a guide on what I have tested on using Y2Mate.
First, download and install the Y2Mate Prime Video Downloader on your Mac from the official website. You can choose the "Try it Free" option to download the free trial version.
From the left pane of the software, select "VIP Services" and then choose Amazon Prime.
Log in to your Amazon Prime account within the downloader's interface.
Search for the movie or show you wish to download and play it. When the video starts playing, a pop-up with download settings will appear.
These settings allow you to choose video resolution, audio tracks, and subtitle preferences.
Click the "Download Now" button to instantly start downloading the video to your device. You can check the progress of your download by navigating to the "Downloading" tab.
Trade-Offs: What's it Actually Like Using Y2Mate Prime Video Downloader?
What's my experience using this method like? Alright, let's get real for a minute about what it's actually like to use one of these third-party tools. I've been down this road, and it's definitely not black and white—there are some amazing benefits and some real downsides you need to weigh.
For me, the biggest win is simply getting a normal video file at the end of the process, usually an MP4 or MKV. Think about what that really means: that file isn't going to expire in 48 hours. It's not trapped inside the Prime Video app. I can drag it straight onto my external hard drive to free up space or load up a few movies onto a tablet for a long flight without any drama. That kind of freedom and flexibility—knowing the file is just yours to manage—is the whole reason to even consider this route.
But you have to be honest about the flip side, too.
This is obviously not the official Amazon way of doing things, so you are operating in a gray area when it comes to their terms of service. And finally, the tools that actually work reliably need constant updates to keep up with Amazon, and that development costs money. So, realistically, you're looking at paying for a subscription to keep this convenience long-term. It’s a powerful option, no doubt, but it's one you have to be intentional and clear-eyed about.
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
Choosing the right method depends entirely on your needs.
For the vast majority of users, the official Prime Video app is the perfect solution. It's safe, simple, and does exactly what it promises.
If you're a power user who constantly juggles hard drive space or a digital archivist who wants permanent copies of purchased content, then exploring a reputable desktop downloader like Y2Mate is a logical next step, as long as you're comfortable with the trade-offs.
Happy viewing!
Amazon Prime Video Downloader
The Premier Prime Video Downloader. Save any movies & shows in 1080P/4K to MP4/MKV files in minutes for forever offline access.
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