Frequently asked questions
Everything about quality, ads, privacy and what extractvid can and cannot download.
general
What is extractvid?+
A free web downloader for TikTok, YouTube (long videos and Shorts), Instagram Reels and Snapchat Spotlight. You paste a public link and get the file without a watermark.
Is extractvid free to use?+
Yes. Standard quality is free with no account. HD is unlocked by watching one 30-second ad, which pays for the bandwidth.
Do I need to create an account?+
No. There is no sign-up, login, email capture or password anywhere on the site.
Do you store the videos I download?+
No. Media is streamed from the platform's CDN through our server on demand. Links are cached in memory for a few minutes and then discarded.
What quality can I download?+
YouTube ranges from 144p up to 4K. TikTok includes HD when the creator uploaded it. Instagram offers the 720p embed file, and Spotlight its original.
Why is HD behind an ad?+
Bandwidth for large files is the main cost. One 30-second ad covers a 45-minute HD window instead of a subscription or a per-download fee.
Does the ad have to finish?+
Yes. The 30 seconds are enforced on the server, and the download only starts after the ad completes. Closing early simply cancels the unlock.
Which file formats do I get?+
MP4 for video, M4A or MP3 for audio, and JPG for thumbnails and photo posts.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?+
Yes. It is a responsive web page. On iPhone the file saves through Safari's Downloads; on Android it lands in your Downloads folder.
Can I download private or age-restricted videos?+
No. Private posts have no public payload to resolve, and age-restricted YouTube videos need a signed-in session.
Is downloading videos legal?+
It depends on the content and your country. Download your own uploads or content you have permission to use; do not redistribute someone else's work.
What should I do if a link fails?+
Check that the post is public and the link is complete, then try again. Platforms occasionally change their payloads, and we fix resolvers as they break.
Do you support YouTube playlists?+
Not yet. Paste one video at a time; playlist support is planned.
Is there a download limit?+
Requests are rate-limited to keep the service fast for everyone, but normal personal use is not blocked.
TikTok
downloader →Do I need a TikTok account?+
No. You only need the public link. We never ask for a login or a session cookie.
Do I need an account here?+
No. Standard downloads are instant. HD unlocks for 45 minutes after one 30-second ad.
Why is HD sometimes missing?+
Some uploads only have one quality. If TikTok published nothing higher, there is nothing extra to fetch.
Is the watermark really gone?+
Yes. The free file is the clean player stream, not the watermarked share file.
Which links work?+
tiktok.com/@user/video/…, /photo/… and vm.tiktok.com short share links.
Can I download a private TikTok?+
No. Private posts are not public, so there is nothing for the resolver to read.
YouTube
downloader →Can I download long YouTube videos?+
Yes. There is no 60-second limit — podcasts, lectures and full-length uploads resolve normally.
Can I download in low quality?+
Yes. 144p and 240p are free and useful when you need a small file or slow data.
Is 1080p or 4K available?+
When the upload has it. Unlock HD, pick the row, and audio is muxed for you.
Why is a 4K file slow?+
A 4K file can be hundreds of megabytes. The server fetches video and audio, then muxes them live.
Do Shorts work too?+
Yes, plus youtu.be and watch links. There is a dedicated Shorts page if you prefer.
Any install or account?+
No extension, no app, no account. Everything runs in the browser against our server.
Shorts
downloader →Is there a watermark?+
No. You get the same MP4 the YouTube player streams.
Can I get 1080p Shorts?+
Yes when the upload has it. Unlock HD and choose the 1080p row.
Do long videos work?+
Yes — use the YouTube video page for full-length uploads and podcasts.
Does it work on iPhone?+
Yes. Downloads save through Safari's Files app; no app install is needed.
Any account?+
No account at all. HD is unlocked by watching one 30-second ad.
Private Reels?+
No. Private posts need an approved follow, which we do not have.
Why only 720p?+
The public embed caps at 720p. 1080p sits behind Instagram's logged-in endpoint.
Is audio included?+
Yes — it is the complete file Instagram serves.
Do carousels work?+
Yes. Each media item is listed separately, including mixed photo and video posts.
Does it work for stories?+
No. Stories are not public, so only posts and Reels resolve.
Do I need an account?+
No account here and no Instagram login. Paste a public link and download.
Snapchat
downloader →Can I download a story?+
Not yet. Stories need a logged-in session; Spotlight is public.
Why no HD option?+
Spotlight serves a single original, so everything is already the best file.
Snapchat account needed?+
No. The Snap has to be public, but you do not log in.
Which links work?+
Spotlight links (snapchat.com/spotlight/…) and public profile Stories (snapchat.com/@user/…). App-only /t/ chat shares cannot be opened on the web.
Is there a watermark?+
No. The MP4 is pulled from Snapchat's own CDN without overlays.
Can I get the thumbnail?+
Yes, every result lists the preview image as a separate download.