# M3U8 Downloader Desktop
Source: https://docs.m3u8.dev/changelog/m3u8-downloader-desktop

The changelog for M3U8 Downloader Desktop.

## Download the latest version

[Download M3U8 Downloader Desktop for Windows](https://github.com/CodeCodeWithMe/m3u8-downloader-desktop/releases/tag/v0.2.0)

<Update label="v0.2.0" description="">
  M3U8 Downloader Desktop was improved in this release.

  **Recommended update:** All users are strongly encouraged to update to this version.

  * Added automatic update support.
  * Improved application stability.
  * Improved the update UI.

  [Download M3U8 Downloader Desktop for Windows](https://github.com/CodeCodeWithMe/m3u8-downloader-desktop/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
</Update>

<Update label="v0.1.6" description="">
  M3U8 Downloader Desktop was improved in this release.

  * Fixed an issue where downloads did not work on some websites.
  * Fixed an issue where live streams could not be recorded on some websites.
  * Improved the user interface.
</Update>

<Update label="v0.1.5" description="">
  M3U8 Downloader Desktop was improved in this release.

  * Improved the capture algorithm to support more sites and scenarios.
</Update>

<Update label="v0.1.4" description="">
  M3U8 Downloader Desktop was improved in this release.

  * Improved the capture algorithm to support more sites and scenarios.
</Update>

<Update label="v0.1.3" description="">
  M3U8 Downloader Desktop was improved in this release.

  * Improved the capture algorithm to support more sites and scenarios.
</Update>

<Update label="v0.1.2" description="">
  M3U8 Downloader Desktop was improved in this release.

  * Improved the capture algorithm to support more sites and scenarios.
</Update>

<Update label="v0.1.1" description="">
  M3U8 Downloader Desktop was improved in this release.

  * Fixed an issue where some videos could not be downloaded.
</Update>


# M3U8 Downloader Pro
Source: https://docs.m3u8.dev/changelog/m3u8-downloader-pro

The changelog for M3U8 Downloader Pro.

**If the extension does not work after the update, follow these steps:**

1. Refresh [pro.m3u8.dev](https://pro.m3u8.dev?uuid=8fae2fcf-e8a7-4a74-b3e8-e04b578e02a8).
2. Close and reopen your browser. If you prefer a quicker fix, reinstall the extension directly.

<Update label="v0.2.2" description="2026-04-03">
  M3U8 Downloader Pro was improved in this release.

  * Performance optimizations.
</Update>

<Update label="v0.2.0" description="2026-04-01">
  M3U8 Downloader Pro was improved in this release.

  * Fixed an issue where some videos could not be downloaded.
</Update>

<Update label="v0.1.22" description="2026-03-30">
  M3U8 Downloader Pro was improved in this release.

  * Refactored the underlying codebase for a smoother overall experience.
  * Fixed an issue where some Instagram videos could not be downloaded.
  * Added support for live stream downloads.
</Update>

<Update label="v0.1.16" description="2026-03-17">
  M3U8 Downloader Pro was redeveloped in this release.

  * Fixed several issues from the previous version.
  * Improved overall extension stability.
  * Added new features as part of the rebuilt release.
</Update>

## View the product page

If you want to check the current interface, workflow, and feature controls after
this update, open the product guide.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Product Guide" icon="sliders" href="/products/m3u8-downloader-pro">
    Review the popup, settings page, support sites, domains, and the typical
    workflow for the latest version.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


# Welcome
Source: https://docs.m3u8.dev/index

Documentation for M3U8.Dev and M3U8 Downloader Pro.

M3U8.Dev provides browser tools for detecting and downloading M3U8 video
streams with a simpler workflow. This documentation focuses on M3U8
Downloader Pro, including setup, feature access, troubleshooting, and release
notes.

## What this product is for

M3U8 Downloader Pro is designed for users who need a more direct way to work
with M3U8 playlists in the browser.

* Detect M3U8 playlist requests while media is playing on a web page.
* Open the extension popup to review available options.

<Note>
  The extension depends on the target page exposing playable M3U8 requests. If a
  site uses DRM or blocks access to the media playlist, the extension may not be
  able to process that stream.
</Note>

## Start here

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Install the extension, open a supported page, and complete the initial
    setup.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Product Guide" icon="sliders" href="/products/m3u8-downloader-pro">
    Learn where the popup and full settings page are, and how to enable more
    features.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="screwdriver-wrench" href="/troubleshooting/m3u8-downloader-pro">
    Follow practical checks if the extension is installed but not working as
    expected.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Recommended reading order

1. Start with the quickstart guide to complete the first-time setup.
2. Open the product guide to understand the popup and settings page.
3. Use the FAQ for license-related questions.
4. Check the changelog after updating to a new version.

## Need help?

If something still does not work after following the guides, contact
[support@m3u8.dev](mailto:support@m3u8.dev).


# M3U8 Downloader Desktop
Source: https://docs.m3u8.dev/products/m3u8-downloader-desktop

A powerful desktop application for downloading M3U8 video streams with ease.

<Tip>
  Video downloads are disabled by default on some sites. Follow the tutorial
  below to enable support for those sites.
</Tip>

## Preview

<video />

## Download

### Windows

[Download M3U8 Downloader Desktop for Windows](https://github.com/CodeCodeWithMe/m3u8-downloader-desktop/releases/tag/v0.2.0)

### macOS

Coming soon...

### Linux

Coming soon...

## What It Does

M3U8 Downloader Desktop helps you download or record video streams on desktop.

* Paste an M3U8, MP4, or page URL
* Capture hidden stream URLs from the built-in browser
* Download normal videos or record live streams
* Inspect failed tasks and retry with the right headers

## Quick Start

Most users only need one of these two methods.

### Method 1: Paste a URL

Use this when you already have an M3U8, MP4, or page URL.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Step 1">
    Click <code>Add download</code>.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 2">
    Paste the URL. Add Cookie only if the site requires login.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 3">
    Click <code>Add to queue</code> and wait for the task to start.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Best for:

* Known media URLs
* Page URLs handled by yt-dlp
* Fast one-off downloads

### Method 2: Capture from the built-in browser

Use this when the real media URL is hidden.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Step 1">
    Open <code>Capture view</code>.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 2">Open the target page and play the video.</Step>

  <Step title="Step 3">
    Find the detected stream in the capture list and add it to the queue.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Best for:

* Pages that load the stream only after playback
* Sites with hidden M3U8 URLs
* Cases where desktop and mobile User-Agent return different results

## Which Method Should You Use?

| Situation                            | Recommended method         |
| ------------------------------------ | -------------------------- |
| You already have an M3U8 or MP4 URL  | Paste a URL                |
| You only have a page URL             | Paste a URL first          |
| The page hides the real stream URL   | Capture view               |
| The site needs login or session data | Capture view or add Cookie |
| You want to record a live stream     | Paste the live M3U8 URL    |

## Real Examples

These examples show the most common ways people use the app.

### Check yt-dlp Supported Sites

If you want to know which websites yt-dlp may support, check the official list:

[https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/blob/master/supportedsites.md](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/blob/master/supportedsites.md)

Important:

* This list is maintained by yt-dlp, not by this app.
* A site being listed does not guarantee it will work normally.
* Site updates, login requirements, region limits, or anti-bot checks may still cause failures.

### Example 1: You already have an M3U8 URL

If you already extracted the stream URL from another tool or from page source, use the direct method.

Example URL:

```text theme={null}
https://test-streams.mux.dev/x36xhzz/x36xhzz.m3u8
```

How to use it:

1. Click **Add download**.
2. Paste the M3U8 URL.
3. Click **Add to queue**.

What happens:

* The task usually goes to **Downloading** quickly.
* After it finishes, you can open the file from the queue.

### Example 2: The page plays video, but you cannot find the real stream URL

If the site only requests the media after playback starts, use the built-in browser.

Example page:

```text theme={null}
https://hlsjs.video-dev.org/demo/
```

How to use it:

1. Open **Capture view**.
2. Open the page and start playback.
3. Wait for the stream to appear in the capture list.
4. Add the detected stream to the queue.

What happens:

* The app captures the real media request for you.
* This is the easiest way to handle hidden M3U8 URLs.

### Example 3: You want to record a live stream

If the stream is live, the app can keep saving it until you stop the task.

Example URL:

```text theme={null}
https://demo.unified-streaming.com/k8s/live/stable/live.isml/.m3u8
```

How to use it:

1. Click **Add download**.
2. Paste the live M3U8 URL.
3. Start the task and let it run.
4. Stop it when you want to finish recording.

What happens:

* The task shows **Recording** or **LIVE**.
* When you stop it, the app finalizes the output file.

### Example 4: You only have a page URL and want yt-dlp to extract it

If you do not have the real media URL, you can paste a supported page URL and let the app hand it to yt-dlp.

Example URLs:

```text theme={null}
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1169458024
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DW5dTURkVPw
```

How to use it:

1. Click **Add download**.
2. Paste the page URL.
3. If the site requires login, add Cookie first.
4. Click **Add to queue**.

What happens:

* The task usually starts with **Extracting**.
* If extraction succeeds, it continues to **Downloading**.
* Some sites, especially Instagram, may require a valid login session.
* Even if a site appears in the yt-dlp supported list, it may not always work normally.

## Download Queue

The queue is where you manage all tasks. It shows progress, errors, and actions.

Common states:

* **Queued**: waiting to start
* **Extracting**: reading a page URL or preparing the stream
* **Downloading**: saving a normal file
* **Recording**: saving a live stream
* **Merging / Finalizing**: finishing the output file
* **Completed**: finished successfully
* **Failed**: stopped with an error

Common actions:

* Pause or continue
* Retry the download
* Open the output file
* Reveal the file in its folder
* Open the recovery page
* Debug request headers

## If a Download Fails

Start with these checks:

1. Read the full error message in the queue.
2. Check whether the site needs Cookie, Referer, or User-Agent.
3. If the URL came from a web page, try adding it again from Capture view.
4. If it is a live stream, make sure the page session is still valid.

## Settings

The main setting is **FFmpeg M3U8 threads**.

* Range: `1 - 32`
* Default: `1`
* Increase it slowly if a source supports faster downloading

## Notes

* The update button opens the changelog page.
* In-app auto update is not available yet.
* Download success depends on the source site.
* yt-dlp support depends on the target site and may break after site updates.
* Not every site in the yt-dlp supported list will work correctly at all times.
* Only download content you are allowed to access and save.


# M3U8 Downloader Pro
Source: https://docs.m3u8.dev/products/m3u8-downloader-pro

A powerful tool for downloading M3U8 video streams with ease.

<Tip>
  Video downloads are disabled by default on some sites. Follow the tutorial
  below to enable support for those sites.
</Tip>

## Enable More Sites

<video />

<Steps>
  <Step title="Step 1">
    Click the `M3U8 Downloader Pro` icon in the browser toolbar to open the
    popup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 2">
    Click the `Settings` button to open the full options page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 3">
    Enable the features you want to use, then open the target page and refresh
    it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Support Sites

Use the `Support Sites` option to enable or disable download support for
specific websites.

| Website     | Support             |
| ----------- | ------------------- |
| Facebook    | ✅                   |
| Twitter/X   | ✅                   |
| Instagram   | ✅                   |
| Bluesky     | ✅                   |
| Dailymotion | ✅                   |
| Reddit      | ✅                   |
| TikTok      | ✅                   |
| DouYin      | ✅                   |
| WeiBo       | ✅                   |
| XiaoHongShu | ✅                   |
| Telegram    | Support A version   |
| Twitch      | ✅                   |
| Bilibili    | ✅                   |
| Vimeo       | ✅                   |
| VK/VK Video | Coming soon...      |
| YouTube     | Not supported       |
| Other Sites | Maybe in the future |

* Downloads only work on sites that are enabled here.
* The extension currently supports video downloads on sites such as Facebook,
  Twitter/X, Instagram, and Telegram.
* Website updates may break compatibility at any time, which can cause
  downloads to stop working until the extension is updated.
* More supported sites may be added in future updates.

### Domains

Use the `Domains` option to manage websites where the extension should stay
inactive.

* You can remove a domain from the list at any time.
* If a domain is added to this list, the extension will not run on that site.
* When the extension does not run on a domain, it will not capture video on
  that site.

## Typical workflow

Most users will follow this order when using the extension:

1. Open the target page and start the video.
2. Open the extension popup to confirm the extension is active.
3. Open the settings page if you need extra controls or premium features.

## Example

Here is a simple example you can try:

1. Open [https://x.com/NBA/status/2033047587419279799](https://x.com/NBA/status/2033047587419279799).
2. Click the `M3U8 Downloader Pro` button in the browser toolbar.
3. Select a video in the popup, then play it or download it.

## Notes

* If a feature does not respond immediately after you enable it, refresh the web page.
* If a page never exposes an M3U8 playlist request, the extension may not be able to process that stream.


# Quickstart
Source: https://docs.m3u8.dev/quickstart

Install and configure M3U8 Downloader Pro for first use.

## Before you begin

Make sure the following basics are in place before testing the extension:

* Install the latest version of M3U8 Downloader Pro in your browser.
* Open the target web page and start video playback at least once.
* Keep the page open while you check the extension popup or settings.

<Tip>
  The extension usually works best after a stream has already started loading,
  because the playlist request needs to appear in the page network activity.
</Tip>

## First-time setup

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Open the extension popup

    Click the M3U8 Downloader Pro icon in your browser toolbar. The popup is
    the fastest place to confirm the extension is installed and accessible.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Open a page that uses M3U8 playback

    Go to the site or video page you want to work with and start the media.
    This gives the extension a chance to detect the M3U8 playlist request.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Review the available options

    If you need more controls, open the full settings page from the popup.
    This is where premium or advanced features are typically managed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What to do if nothing appears

If the extension opens but you do not see the expected result:

1. Refresh the page and start the video again.
2. Close and reopen the browser tab.
3. Reopen the extension popup and check the settings page.
4. If the issue continues, use the troubleshooting page.

## Next steps

After the basic setup is complete, continue with these pages:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Product Guide" icon="sliders" href="/products/m3u8-downloader-pro">
    Learn where the main controls are and how to enable more features.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="screwdriver-wrench" href="/troubleshooting/m3u8-downloader-pro">
    Follow additional checks if the extension still does not work.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Changelog" icon="clock-rotate-left" href="/changelog/m3u8-downloader-pro">
    Review recent updates before or after upgrading.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


# M3U8 Downloader Pro
Source: https://docs.m3u8.dev/troubleshooting/m3u8-downloader-pro

Troubleshooting steps for common M3U8 Downloader Pro issues.

Use this page when the extension is installed but not behaving as expected.
Start with the basic checks first, because most issues are caused by an old
extension state, a stale browser tab, or a page that has not been reloaded.

## Extension not working after install or update

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Refresh M3U8 Download Web Page

    [https://pro.m3u8.dev/](https://pro.m3u8.dev/) is the main page for M3U8 Downloader Pro, and it needs to be refreshed after the extension is installed or updated. Open the page and reload it to make sure the extension is properly connected to the page.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Refresh the target page

    Reload the page where you are testing the extension, then start the video
    again.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Reopen the browser tab

    Close the current tab, open it again, and test once more.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Reinstall the extension if needed

    If the extension still does not work, uninstall it, install the latest
    version again, and reopen Chrome.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If a video shows a playback error in the popup, try playing another video that
  works first, then go back to the original video and play it again. The same
  workaround can also help when downloading.
</Tip>

## Test M3U8 Downloader Pro with a known working page

Here is a simple example you can try:

1. Open [https://x.com/NBA/status/2033047587419279799](https://x.com/NBA/status/2033047587419279799).
2. Click the `M3U8 Downloader Pro` button in the browser toolbar.
3. Select a video in the popup, then play it or download it.

## No stream is detected

If the extension opens correctly but does not detect a playable stream:

* Start the video first so the M3U8 request has a chance to appear.
* Wait a few seconds and check the extension again.
* Test another page to confirm whether the issue is page-specific.
* Keep in mind that DRM-protected content or hidden playlist requests may not be supported.

## Still need help?

If the issue continues after the steps above, contact
[support@m3u8.dev](mailto:support@m3u8.dev) and include a short
description of the page, the browser you are using, and what you already tried.