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Install the official Prime Video app, sign in with the Amazon account that has access to the title you want, then tap the title’s play button. Streaming needs an internet connection; for offline viewing, download an eligible movie or episode in the app first. The app is free to install, but not every title is included with a Prime membership.
What you need
- An iPhone or Android phone that is compatible with the current Prime Video app.
- Access to the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- An Amazon account. The account needs an appropriate subscription or other entitlement for the title you want to watch.
- An internet connection for streaming. To watch offline, you also need available phone storage and a title that Amazon allows you to download.
Amazon supports Prime Video on iOS and Android mobile devices, but compatibility and features can vary by phone, operating system, app version, location and title. The current U.S. Apple App Store listing specifies iOS 17.0 or later for iPhone; check the listing for the latest requirement. For Android, check the Google Play listing for compatibility with your device rather than relying on an outdated version number.
Install the official Prime Video app
On iPhone
- Open the App Store and search for Amazon Prime Video.
- Check that the developer is Amazon Mobile LLC.
- Tap Get and authenticate if prompted.
- Open the app once installation finishes.
On Android
- Open Google Play Store and search for Prime Video.
- Check that the developer is Amazon Mobile LLC.
- Tap Install, then open the app.
Use the official app store, not an APK download or installer from an unfamiliar website. Amazon’s device-installation help also directs users to their device’s app store.
Sign in to your Amazon account
Follow the sign-in option shown in your version of the app. You may be asked to enter your Amazon email address or mobile number and password, then complete any two-step verification. Some sign-in flows offer a QR code or registration code to use on another device or in a browser; follow the app’s on-screen directions. Screens and labels can differ by app version and account settings.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Use the Amazon account that has the subscription, rental, purchase or other access you intend to use. If you have more than one account, signing into the wrong one can make a title appear unavailable or prompt you to pay again.
Find and play a movie or show
- Open Prime Video and search for a title, or browse the home screen and categories.
- Tap a movie or series. For a series, choose a season and episode if needed.
- Read the title page’s action before starting playback, then tap Play, Watch now or the displayed play control when available.
- Use the player controls to pause, seek, adjust volume, or choose available audio and subtitle options.
The action on a title page tells you how that title is available on your account. Play or Watch now usually means you can watch under your current entitlement. Rent or Buy requires a separate transaction; Subscribe may mean the title belongs to an add-on channel. A Watch free label can refer to free, ad-supported programming. If the app says a title is unavailable, it may not be licensed for your location or account.
Prime Video combines different kinds of access: titles included with a subscription, rentals, purchases, add-on subscriptions and free or ad-supported programming. A Prime membership does not make every title or every third-party channel free. Amazon’s Terms of Use describe these different content types.
Rank #2
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
Do you need Amazon Prime?
Not necessarily. In the U.S., an Amazon Prime membership includes a Prime Video benefit, but a Prime Video title may still require a rental, purchase or separate channel subscription. Some free programming may also be available. Access options and prices vary by country and can change, so check the offer shown on your account before subscribing. Amazon’s Prime Video overview explains the U.S. membership offering.
Download titles to watch offline
Downloads are made and played inside the Prime Video app; they are not ordinary video files to move to another player. The usual process on iPhone and Android is:
- Connect to Wi-Fi if possible, then open Prime Video and find the title.
- On a movie’s details page, tap Download if the option appears.
- For a series, download an individual episode using its download icon, or use a season-download option if the app offers one.
- Later, open the app’s downloads area and select the saved title to play it without Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Not every title can be downloaded. Availability depends on licensing, location, title, plan and device; the details page indicates whether a download is offered. Downloads also need storage. If space is tight, remove completed downloads in the app or save individual episodes rather than a whole season.
Rank #3
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Downloaded subscription content is temporary. Amazon generally describes up to 30 days to begin watching and usually 48 hours to finish once playback starts, but the title’s displayed terms and account conditions control. Check Amazon’s download help for details; a title can expire or become unavailable when its license or your access changes.
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For ordinary streaming, casting may be available on supported phones, TVs and streaming devices; for example, the U.S. iOS listing describes Chromecast casting. The phone and receiving device generally need to be set up on the same network, and availability can depend on the title, app and devices.
Do not assume a downloaded movie can be cast. Amazon says downloaded content cannot be played through Chromecast or AirPlay. Offline playback on a TV may be possible with certain supported devices or adapters, but that is not the normal wireless-casting route. See Amazon’s download guidance.
Rank #4
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Mobile data, picture quality and sound
Use Wi-Fi for long viewing sessions and downloads when you can. Streaming over cellular can use a substantial amount of data, especially at higher video quality; the exact amount varies with resolution, adaptive streaming, device, network and title. If your app offers data-saving or streaming-quality controls, choose a lower setting when conserving data matters. Download over Wi-Fi before a trip if you want to avoid streaming on the way.
Amazon lists mobile playback capabilities as up to Ultra HD on some Android configurations and up to HD on iOS, but those are ceilings, not guarantees for every phone or title. The actual picture and sound depend on device support, the available version of the title, subscription, network and app configuration. Audio tracks, subtitles and audio description also vary across titles. Use the player’s audio or subtitle control to see what is available.
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Prime Video will not play or keeps buffering
- Check that the phone can load other apps or websites. If not, restore the connection first.
- Move closer to Wi-Fi, try another network, or switch between Wi-Fi and cellular if your plan allows.
- Pause other downloads or high-bandwidth activity, then close and reopen Prime Video.
- Try a different title. If only one title fails, the issue may be title- or availability-specific.
- Update the app and phone operating system, then restart the phone.
- Sign out and back in if playback still fails. Reinstall the app only after confirming you can sign back into the correct Amazon account.
A title asks you to rent, buy or subscribe
First check that you are signed into the intended Amazon account and that its membership or trial is active. The title may not be included with Prime, may belong to an add-on channel, or may be unavailable in your current location. If you expected access from a separate service, confirm that the subscription is linked to this Amazon account rather than billed elsewhere.
Best Value
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
There is no Download button
The title may not be licensed for download, the plan or location may not permit it, or the app may not offer downloads for that type of programming. Also check free storage, app updates and whether you are signed into the right account. If the option is absent from the title page after those checks, it is likely not downloadable under the current conditions.
No sound, subtitles or the language you want
Open the player’s audio and subtitle controls and check that the title offers the track you want. Then check phone volume, silent mode, Bluetooth routing and connected headphones. Available languages and accessibility features vary by title.
U.S. plan and price context
Amazon material cited for this guide lists U.S. Prime at $14.99 monthly or $139 annually; prices and eligibility can change, so confirm the live offer before joining. Amazon has also announced a U.S. Prime Video Ultra ad-free upgrade at $4.99 per month, with features including up to five concurrent streams, up to 100 downloads and 4K/UHD access. Ultra is an optional upgrade, not a requirement for watching on a phone; check Amazon’s announcement for current availability and terms.
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Do not assume those U.S. plans apply elsewhere. A mobile-only, standard-definition Prime Video Mobile Edition is offered only in selected countries and through certain partners, including India; it is not a general U.S. plan. Details are in Amazon’s Mobile Edition help.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
