To re-download a movie you bought on your iPad, open the Apple TV app, tap the Library tab, tap the movie, and tap the Download button. You don’t pay again. If you use Family Sharing, you can also download movies other family members bought.
The steps and fixes here come from four Apple Support articles: Redownload TV shows and movies that you purchased, If you’re asked to buy a movie or TV show again, If there’s an issue when you redownload and Hide and unhide music, movies, TV shows. They apply to movies and TV shows bought from Apple in the Apple TV app.
How to Re-Download Purchased Movies on iPad
- Open the Apple TV app.
- Tap the Library tab.
- Tap the movie or TV show you want to download again.
- Tap the Download button.
Result: the movie downloads to your iPad so you can watch it without an internet connection. You aren’t charged again for something you already bought.
Download a family member’s purchases
If you use Family Sharing, Apple says to tap Family Sharing in the Library, then choose a family member’s name to see and download their purchases. Apple notes that if a family member hides a purchase, you won’t see it unless you downloaded it before they hid it.
If your family also watches purchases on an Apple TV box, restrict new Apple TV purchases and rentals separately. Accessing a movie already in the family library is a different task from authorizing another paid rental.
If the App Asks You to Buy the Movie Again
Apple says that in iPadOS 18.0, the Apple TV app might show a Buy button for a movie you already own. You can still play it without paying:
- Open the Apple TV app and tap Library.
- Find the movie or TV show.
- Tap the More button.
- Tap Play.
Result: the movie starts playing from your library, and you aren’t charged.
Can’t Find the Movie?
Apple suggests these checks if a purchase is missing:
- Check your purchase history. If the movie isn’t there, you may have bought it with a different Apple Account.
- Check for hidden purchases. Hidden items don’t appear in your Library. According to Apple, you unhide movies and TV shows from the Apple TV app on a Mac or Windows PC under account settings, in Hidden Purchases or Hidden Items.
- Check your connection. Apple has separate help if you can’t connect to the Apple TV app.
- Report a problem. If the movie is in your purchase history but won’t download, Apple says to report a problem at reportaproblem.apple.com.
Apple also notes that if you see a message saying the device is associated with another Apple Account, you may need to wait a set number of days before you can re-download purchases.
Subscription and Channel Movies Are Different
Movies and shows included with an Apple TV subscription or Apple TV channels don’t appear in your list of purchases, Apple says. Apple covers downloading those in a separate article linked from its redownload page.
How to Stream Instead of Downloading
You can play purchases straight from the Library without downloading them, as long as you’re online. Downloading is best for trips or places without Wi-Fi, but each movie uses storage, so check how much space is left on your iPad before downloading several.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay again to re-download a movie?
No. Apple says any digital media you buy from Apple can be downloaded to an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Windows PC. As long as you’re signed in with the Apple Account that bought it, the download is free.
Can I download my purchased movies on an Apple TV box?
No. Apple says you can’t download movies on Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, smart TVs or other streaming devices. You can stream your purchases from the Library on those devices instead.
Related Guides
- How to watch an iPad movie on your TV
- How to check storage on your iPad
- How to cancel subscriptions and see purchase history on iPhone
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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