Funimation has served as a cornerstone of legal anime streaming in the West, blending a deep catalog of classic series with the latest seasonal simulcasts. For fans who commute, travel, or simply want to disconnect while staying immersed in their favorite shows, offline viewing is a game-changer. This guide explains how to legally download anime from Funimation for offline playback, covering every step, hidden tricks, and important policy changes that every subscriber should know.

How Funimation's Offline Viewing Actually Works

Funimation’s download feature is built into its official mobile and tablet apps. Rather than giving you raw video files, the app stores episodes in an encrypted format that only the Funimation player can decode. This approach keeps content licenses secure while letting Premium subscribers watch anywhere, anytime, without an internet connection. The service does not support offline downloads on desktop browsers, smart TVs, or game consoles — only on Android and iOS devices running the dedicated Funimation application.

When you download an episode, the app ties it to your account and device. You can have multiple devices logged in, but the number of simultaneous downloads and total storage per device may be limited by your device’s space. Downloaded episodes also carry an expiration timer, typically 13 days from the moment you first press play, though unplayed downloads can remain on your device longer as long as your subscription remains active.

Subscription Tiers Required for Downloads

Offline access is a subscriber-only perk. Funimation offers three plans: Free, Premium, and Premium Plus. Only the two paid tiers unlock downloading. Premium (often ad-supported on certain content) gives you full library access and offline capabilities for most eligible shows. Premium Plus removes all ads and allows downloads with the same availability. At the time of writing, neither the annual nor the grandfathered Funimation Digital Copy plans affect download eligibility — the key is having an active paid subscription.

If your subscription lapses or you cancel, all downloaded episodes will immediately become inaccessible and eventually be removed from your device. The app actively checks your subscription status, so plan accordingly before a long flight or trip where you might not be able to renew.

Device Compatibility and App Requirements

To download Funimation anime, you need a device that meets the following criteria:

  • Android: Version 5.0 or later, with Google Play Store access. The app is available from the Google Play Store.
  • iOS: iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 12.0 or newer. You can grab the app from the Apple App Store.
  • Storage: A minimum of 200 MB free space is recommended for a single standard-definition episode; high-definition episodes can easily take 500 MB to 1 GB each.
  • App version: Always keep the Funimation app updated to the latest version. Download functionality can break on outdated builds due to changing DRM libraries or server-side adjustments.

Note that Amazon Fire tablets are also supported via the Amazon Appstore, but sideloading the Google Play version may cause unpredictable download behavior. Stick to the official channel for your platform.

Step-by-Step: How to Download Anime on Funimation

The process is straightforward, but small interface changes can vary slightly between Android and iOS. This walkthrough uses the current app layout as of early 2025.

1. Sign Into Your Paid Account

Launch the Funimation app and ensure you’re logged in with the email and password tied to a Premium or Premium Plus plan. Guest or Free tier profiles will not show download icons. If you’re already logged in but don’t see download buttons, force-close the app and reopen it to refresh your subscription token.

2. Find Eligible Content

Use the search bar or browse the catalog. Not every title can be downloaded. Look for a small downward-facing arrow icon next to each episode. If the arrow is grayed out or missing entirely, that episode is not available for offline viewing — often due to licensing restrictions with the Japanese production committee. Series from major publishers like Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, and classic Funimation licensed titles are almost always downloadable, while some newer exclusives or co-licenses may be restricted.

3. Choose Video Quality

Before tapping the download icon, go to the app’s settings (usually found via the profile icon) and select your preferred download quality. Options typically include Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD). HD downloads consume considerably more storage and time, but they reward you with crisp video on tablets. SD is perfectly watchable on smaller phones and saves space.

4. Start the Download

Tap the download icon next to the episode title. A progress indicator will appear. You can continue browsing the app or let your device sleep — downloads will proceed in the background on both iOS and Android. For the fastest speeds, connect to a stable Wi-Fi network. If you’re on cellular, be mindful of data caps; a single HD episode can exceed 800 MB.

5. Access Your Downloads

Once the status reads “Downloaded,” the episode can be found in the app’s “My Library” or “Downloads” section. Tapping it will start playback immediately, no internet required. You can also mark episodes as watched or remove them from this screen.

Troubleshooting Common Download Problems

Even with a strong connection, hiccups happen. Here are solutions to frequent issues:

Download Button Not Showing

This is the most reported problem. First, confirm your subscription is active under Account Settings on the Funimation website. Then, check the app version: on Android, go to Play Store > My Apps and see if an update is pending. On iOS, visit the App Store and verify you have the latest release. If the button still doesn’t appear, log out, clear the app cache (iOS: offload and reinstall; Android: Settings > Apps > Funimation > Storage > Clear Cache), and log back in.

Downloads Stuck or Slow

Funimation’s content delivery network can occasionally stall. Pause the download, wait a few seconds, then resume. Switching from cellular to Wi-Fi or vice versa sometimes kicks the server into gear. Avoid using a VPN, as the service may block downloads for IP addresses that don’t match your subscription region — a common measure to enforce licensing agreements.

Playback Errors Offline

“Playback Error” when disconnected often means the downloaded file has become corrupted or the device DRM token expired. Delete the episode and re-download it while online. If that doesn’t solve it, try a different video quality setting. In rare cases, restarting your device refreshes the system-level DRM keys.

Insufficient Storage Messages

Clear space by removing completed episodes you no longer need. Funimation keeps decrypted files only for the duration of the license window; once expired, they’re useless anyway. Also check that your device’s storage permission for the app is enabled (Android) — some users accidentally deny access after an update.

Managing Your Downloaded Library

The “Downloads” section of the app acts as your offline command center. From here you can:

  • Play episodes: Just tap to resume or start fresh. The app remembers your playback position even offline.
  • Sort and filter: Some app versions let you group downloads by show, making it easy to binge a single series.
  • Delete individually: Swipe left on an episode (iOS) or tap the three-dot menu (Android) and choose “Remove Download.” This frees up space instantly.
  • Bulk delete: Depending on the version, you may see an “Edit” button that lets you select multiple episodes for deletion.

Note that deleting a download does not affect your watch history or queue on the server side. You can always redownload as long as the license remains available and your subscription is active.

Important Limitations and Licensing Restrictions

Offline viewing isn’t an unlimited grab-bag. These constraints are baked into Funimation’s agreements with Japanese licensors:

  • Selective availability: As mentioned, not every show supports downloads. This is especially true for certain simulcast titles that stream day-and-date with Japan but have restrictive digital rights. If a series is too new or part of a limited-time partnership, the download icon may vanish after the first few days of availability.
  • Expiration windows: Once you start watching a downloaded episode, a countdown begins — typically 48 hours for many platforms, but Funimation usually extends this to around 13 days after first playback. If you don’t touch it, the file can stay on your device much longer, sometimes up to 30 days, but this varies by title.
  • Playback only within the app: You cannot transfer the video file to a computer, external drive, or another media player. Screencasting or recording the screen is a violation of Funimation’s terms of service and could result in account suspension.
  • Region locking: Downloads are tied to the regional catalog of your account. If you travel abroad, you may find previously downloaded episodes that are not licensed in your new location become unplayable. The app will detect your location on next online connection and may restrict access.
  • Concurrent device limits: You can log into multiple devices, but simultaneous playback is limited. While this doesn’t directly prevent downloading on several devices, it’s something to keep in mind if you plan to share with family.

Preparing for Travel: A Complete Offline Checklist

To avoid the heartbreak of a non-functional download mid-flight, follow this travel prep sequence:

  1. One week before departure, confirm your subscription is paid up and will not lapse while you’re away.
  2. Open the Funimation app and update it to the latest version.
  3. Connect to a strong Wi-Fi network and set download quality to SD if storage is limited.
  4. Build a queue of episodes you want. Consider downloading a complete cour (12–13 episodes) to binge a whole season.
  5. Watch the first few seconds of each download while still online to verify they play correctly. This initial check triggers the expiration timer, but better to know now than later.
  6. Disable automatic app updates in your device settings if you’re worried about a mid-trip update breaking access.
  7. Put your device in airplane mode and test playback of multiple episodes to confirm everything is truly offline-ready.

How the Funimation-Crunchyroll Merger Affects Your Downloads

Sony’s consolidation of Funimation and Crunchyroll has been one of the biggest shifts in anime streaming history. As of mid-2025, the Funimation brand and app are being phased out, with most content migrated to Crunchyroll. What does this mean for your existing downloads? Here’s the practical breakdown:

  • Current subscribers can still download: The Funimation app remains functional for now, and your offline library works as long as the app continues to receive server support. Sony has not announced a hard shutdown date, but internal roadmaps suggest the app will be retired eventually.
  • No direct migration: Your Funimation downloads won’t transfer to Crunchyroll. If you switch to a Crunchyroll Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan subscription (the tiers with offline viewing), you’ll need to build a new download library from scratch within the Crunchyroll app.
  • Library overlap: Funimation-exclusive titles are moving to Crunchyroll, but offline availability on Crunchyroll depends on the same kind of licensing conditions. Some older Funimation series may not be immediately downloadable on the new platform.
  • Recommendation: If offline viewing is critical to your anime habit, start transitioning now. Subscribe to Crunchyroll’s appropriate tier, explore its download feature (works similarly: download icon in the app), and begin shifting your watchlist.

For the most up-to-date information on the transition, check Crunchyroll News.

Tips for Maximizing Your Offline Anime Experience

Beyond the basic download function, a few power-user habits can elevate your offline viewing:

Batch Downloads Overnight

Queue up multiple episodes before bed and let your device download through the night on Wi-Fi. On Android, you can prevent the device from sleeping while the app is downloading by enabling “Stay Awake” in developer options, but be cautious about screen burn-in. A better way: plug in your device and set the screen timeout to the longest duration.

Use an SD Card (Android Only)

Android users can often move the Funimation app or its data to external storage. While the app itself doesn’t officially support moving download location to an SD card, some devices allow you to format an SD card as internal storage, effectively expanding the space available for apps and media. Check your device manual or the Android storage guide for details.

Pair with Subtitles

Offline episodes include whatever subtitle tracks you selected before downloading. Funimation defaults to English subtitles for subbed shows, but you can switch to other available languages (like Spanish or Portuguese) in the app’s playback settings before you hit the download button. The chosen subtitle track gets baked into the download.

Rotate Your Downloads

Since downloads expire, make it a habit to delete watched episodes and refresh your library weekly. This ensures you always have fresh content and avoids the confusion of tapping on a show only to be told it’s expired.

Leverage Simulcast Schedules

If you’re following a currently airing series, check the simulcast schedule on the Funimation schedule page (while it’s still live). Download the new episode as soon as it appears on the service; this gives you the maximum window before expiration and keeps you current even during weekends camping or traveling.

What to Do When an Episode Expires

Seeing an “Expired” badge on a download can be frustrating. First, understand that this isn’t a bug. It simply means the rental period has ended. You have two choices: re-download the episode if it’s still available on the service (which resets the timer) or delete it to reclaim storage. Occasionally, a global license event may cause an entire show to become unavailable for download even before the per-episode timer runs out. If that happens, the episode will not play and will need to be removed.

To avoid surprise expirations, glance at the “My Downloads” section before important offline stretches. The app sometimes shows a countdown warning next to titles that are close to expiring.

Using the official download function is the only legal way to watch Funimation anime offline. Ripping or capturing content through third-party software violates copyright law and the platform’s terms. Beyond the legal risk, such methods undermine the creators and the industry that brings anime to a global audience. Funimation’s offline feature exists to reward paying subscribers while keeping licenses secure; respecting that balance helps ensure the service can continue offering offline access in an evolving digital landscape.

Future of Funimation Downloads and the Streaming Landscape

As the anime community migrates toward Crunchyroll, the offline download functionality will only become more important for viewers on the go. If you’ve been a longtime Funimation subscriber, now is the time to evaluate your options. Crunchyroll’s offline feature works almost identically: tap the download arrow, manage storage, and enjoy anywhere. By staying informed and adapting early, you can maintain a seamless anime experience without interruption.

Conclusion

Downloading anime on Funimation is a straightforward process that can transform how you enjoy your favorite series. By understanding subscription requirements, respecting licensing rules, and planning ahead, you can build a personal library that travels with you. As the platform evolves and eventually merges with Crunchyroll, these offline habits will serve you well in the new ecosystem. Keep your app updated, manage your storage wisely, and never miss an episode — even when you’re completely disconnected.