What Prime Video is and how to get it

Prime Video is a streaming service run by Amazon. You can watch movies, TV shows, and original series on demand — meaning you pick what to watch and when, rather than following a broadcast schedule. Prime Video comes as part of an Amazon Prime membership, or you can pay for Prime Video alone.

If you already have an Amazon Prime membership (the one that includes free two-day shipping), Prime Video is included at no extra cost. If you do not have Prime, you can sign up for Prime Video by itself through Amazon's website or through the Prime Video app on your phone, tablet, or TV.

You will need an Amazon account to sign up. If you do not have one, you can create it during the Prime Video sign-up process by providing an email address and password.

Key Takeaways

  • Prime Video is included free with an Amazon Prime membership, or you can pay for Prime Video as a standalone subscription.
  • The monthly cost for Prime Video alone varies by region, but you can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty.
  • You can watch on multiple devices — phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs — though simultaneous streams are limited based on your plan.
  • Some content on Prime Video requires an additional paid channel subscription, separate from your base Prime Video fee.
  • Prime Video is ad-supported on the basic plan; a higher-priced tier removes ads.

Pricing and plan options

If you choose Prime Video alone (not bundled with Prime shipping), the monthly cost depends on where you live. In the United States, there are two tiers: a lower-cost plan that includes ads, and a higher-cost plan with no ads. Both give you access to the same content library.

If you have a full Amazon Prime membership, Prime Video is included in that annual or monthly fee, and you get the ad-free version. You do not pay extra for Prime Video on top of Prime membership.

You can change or cancel your subscription at any time through your Amazon account settings. There is no contract, and you will not be charged for the next billing period once you cancel.

How to sign up and start watching

Go to the Prime Video website or open the Prime Video app. If you do not have an Amazon account, select the option to create one and enter your email, a password, and your payment method. If you already have an Amazon account, sign in with your email and password.

Choose the plan you want — ad-supported or ad-free. Enter your payment information (credit card, debit card, or other method Amazon accepts in your region). Confirm your order, and your subscription will be active when ready.

You can then start watching right away on any device where you have downloaded or accessed the Prime Video app, or through a web browser on Amazon.com.

Devices and simultaneous viewing

Prime Video works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. You can read the Prime Video app on most devices, or watch through a web browser. Common compatible devices include iPhones, Android phones, iPads, Fire tablets, Roku, Apple TV, Samsung TVs, LG TVs, and many others.

The number of people who can watch at the same time depends on your plan. With a standard Prime Video subscription, you can typically stream on two devices at once. If you need more simultaneous streams, some regions offer a higher-tier plan that allows more concurrent viewers.

You can sign out of Prime Video on any device, or use your account settings to manage which devices have access. This is useful if you share your subscription with family members or if you want to remove access from a device you no longer use.

Content and add-on channels

Prime Video includes a large library of movies and TV shows at no extra cost beyond your subscription. This includes original series and films produced by Amazon Studios, as well as licensed content from other studios and networks.

Some content on Prime Video requires an additional paid subscription to a channel. For example, you might see an option to add HBO Max, Paramount+, or other services directly through Prime Video. These are separate subscriptions with their own monthly fees, but you can manage them all in one place through your Prime Video account.

Not all content is available in all regions, and some titles rotate off the service. You can search for specific shows or movies to see if they are currently available, and you can add titles to a watchlist to keep track of what you want to see.

Managing your account and billing

Your Prime Video subscription renews automatically on your billing date each month (or year, if you chose an annual plan). You can see your next billing date and your payment method in your Amazon account settings under "Memberships and Subscriptions."

To change your payment method, go to your account settings and update your credit card or other payment information. To pause your subscription temporarily, some regions offer a pause option that stops billing for a set period without canceling your account. To cancel, go to your memberships page and select the option to end your subscription.

If you are charged and believe it was an error, or if you want to dispute a charge, you can contact Amazon customer service through your account or by phone. Keep your order confirmation email for reference.

Troubleshooting common issues

If you cannot sign in, first check that you are using the correct email address and password for your Amazon account. If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the sign-in page to reset it. Make sure you are using a supported device and that your internet connection is stable.

If you see a message that your subscription is not active, check your account settings to confirm your payment method is current and that your subscription has not been canceled. If your payment failed, update your payment information and your subscription should reactivate.

If a show or movie will not play, try closing the app and opening it again, or try watching on a different device. Make sure your device software is up to date. If the problem continues, contact Amazon customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Prime Video subscription with family members?

Yes, you can share your login with people in your household. Each person can sign in on their own device using your account email and password. However, the number of people who can watch at the same time is limited — typically two simultaneous streams on a standard subscription. Some regions offer a plan with more concurrent viewers.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

You will lose access to Prime Video content when ready after cancellation. You will not be charged again, but you will not receive a refund for the current billing period. If you resubscribe later, you start fresh with a new billing cycle.

Do I need a Prime Video subscription to watch with ads?

No. The ad-supported tier of Prime Video is a standalone subscription option. You pay a lower monthly fee and see ads during playback. The ad-free tier costs more but has no advertisements.

Can I watch Prime Video offline?

Yes, you can read select titles to your phone or tablet through the Prime Video app and watch them without an internet connection. Not all content is available for read. Look for a read icon next to the title to see if it can be saved offline.

What if my payment method is declined?

Amazon will attempt to charge your payment method on your billing date. If it is declined, you will receive an email notification. Update your payment information in your account settings as soon as possible to avoid service interruption. Once you update it, your subscription will reactivate.