- Before you start
- How to rent a movie on a computer or phone
- How to rent on a smart TV or streaming device
- Renting vs buying on YouTube
- Where to find your rental
- Can you download a YouTube rental?
- HD or 4K: which version to rent
- Coupons and pre-orders
- How to get a refund on a rental
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To rent a movie on YouTube, find it on the Movies & TV page or in search, click the button showing the price, choose the rental option, pick a payment method and click Buy. You then have 30 days to start watching, and once you press play the rental usually lasts 48 hours.
Those two clocks are the bit most people get wrong. The 30 days is how long the film waits for you; the 48 hours starts the moment you begin watching, and you can rewatch as often as you like inside that window. YouTube shows the exact rental period on the last page of checkout, so glance at it before you pay.
Before you start
- You need to be 18 or older.
- You need a Google Account with a valid payment method.
- You need to be in a country where YouTube sells and rents films. The list includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, along with dozens of others.
- Which titles you can rent depends on where you are, and it can change over time.
How to rent a movie on a computer or phone
- Sign in to your Google Account and go to YouTube's Movies & TV page, or search YouTube for the film.
- Click the button that shows the price. If the film is offered in different resolutions, each may have its own price.
- If you have a coupon, click Enter promotional code, type it in and click the arrow.
- Choose the rental option.
- Select a saved payment method or add a new one, then click Buy.
- Wait for the purchase confirmation.
How to rent on a smart TV or streaming device
You can rent in the latest version of the YouTube app on supported smart TVs, including Panasonic, Roku, Samsung, Sony, TPV, Vestel and Vizio sets. You'll need a payment method already saved to your Google Account; if you don't have one, add it on a computer or phone first.
- Open the YouTube app on your TV or streaming device.
- Choose the film and select Rent.
- Confirm your payment method and select Continue.
- Follow the on-screen steps and select Pay Now.
- Pick Watch Now to start, or Watch Later to save it for another time.
One exception: YouTube's help says you can't buy films on a game console. Rent on another device, then sign in to the YouTube app on your Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch and watch it from your library.
Renting vs buying on YouTube
| Rent | Buy | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it's yours | 30 days to start, then usually 48 hours | Indefinitely |
| Rewatching | As often as you like during the rental period | As often as you like |
| Downloading | One device at a time | Up to five devices |
| Refund if unwatched | Request within 7 business days | Request within 7 business days |
Worth knowing if you've bought films on Google Play before: films bought on YouTube don't show up in your Google Play Family Library.
Where to find your rental
- Computer: sign in to YouTube, open Movies & TV in the left menu and select Purchased.
- YouTube app on a phone or tablet: tap your profile picture, then Your movies & TV.
- Smart TV or streaming device: go to the Library tab, then Your Movies & Shows.
- Any browser: youtube.com/purchases lists everything you've bought or rented.
You can also cast a rental to your TV from the YouTube app on your phone with Chromecast, or from the Chrome browser.
Can you download a YouTube rental?
Yes, and you don't need YouTube Premium for it. Downloads work in the YouTube app on iPhone, iPad and Android. Tap your profile picture, then Your movies & TV, pick the film, tap Download and choose a quality. If the film has more than one audio track, you'll pick that too, and all of its subtitles come with the download.
The catch for rentals: they can only be downloaded to one device at a time. To move a rental to another phone, delete the download from the first device and download it again on the new one. UHD versions can't be downloaded at all, and some phones only download on Wi-Fi unless you switch off Download over Wi-Fi only under Background & downloads in Settings. If you're wondering what Premium adds on top, here are the YouTube Premium benefits.
HD or 4K: which version to rent
Every film is available in standard definition, and some come in HD or 4K UHD. On YouTube, HD means 720p or 1080p. For 4K you'll need the YouTube app on an eligible smart TV or Android TV, or a Chromecast Ultra, plus a steady download speed of at least 15 megabits per second. Without that, the film may drop to HD or SD.
YouTube also says you can sometimes rent the HD or 4K version on a device that can't play it. It'll still play there in lower quality, so don't pay for 4K unless the screen you're watching on can show it.
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Coupons and pre-orders
YouTube coupon codes only work for what they were issued for, so a rental code won't cover a TV show purchase. Enter them in YouTube's own promotional code box, not the Redeem Google Play Gift Card field. For films that aren't out yet, a Pre-order button may appear on the watch page; you're not charged until the film is available, and you can cancel from Purchases & memberships before it's delivered.
How to get a refund on a rental
If you haven't watched it, you can ask for a refund within 7 business days of buying. On a computer, go to youtube.com/paid_memberships, click Refund next to the film and then Request refund. Rentals made in the YouTube Android app are billed through Google Play, so those refunds go through the Play Store instead.
My verdict
Renting on YouTube is quick once your payment method is saved, and the 30-day window means you can rent on a Friday and watch whenever suits you. Just don't press play until you've got the evening free, because that's when the 48 hours starts. If you'd rather watch whole channels than single films, YouTube also sells subscriptions through YouTube Primetime Channels.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you have to watch a rented movie on YouTube?
You have 30 days to start watching. Once you start, the rental usually lasts 48 hours, and the checkout page shows the exact rental period.
Can I watch a YouTube rental more than once?
Yes. Once you've started, you can watch it as many times as you like until the rental period ends.
Do I need YouTube Premium to download a rented movie?
No. YouTube says you don't need Premium to download movies you've rented or bought, but a rental can only be on one device at a time.
Can I rent a movie on YouTube on my Xbox or PlayStation?
YouTube says you can't buy movies on a game console. Rent on another device, then watch it in the YouTube app on your console.
Can I get a refund on a YouTube movie rental?
If you haven't watched it, you can request a refund within 7 business days at youtube.com/paid_memberships. Android app rentals are refunded through Google Play.
