Video Downloads from Links
Video downloads are best when you already have a direct link to the content. XiaDown uses yt-dlp to parse the link and calls FFmpeg when media needs to be merged or transcoded.
Open the download window
Section titled “Open the download window”Click + → New Download at the bottom of the main interface and paste one or more links.
| Entry or mode | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Direct Download | Check the current link and open its download settings. You still need to click Start after confirming the options. |
| Quick Mode | Choose best quality, highest bitrate, or audio only, then decide whether to download subtitles or transcode. |
| Custom Mode | Check the link first, then manually choose quality, audio tracks, subtitles, and a transcode preset. |
| Batch Download | Process multiple links at once or download several entries from a playlist. |
Quick download
Section titled “Quick download”- Paste the link.
- Select Quick Mode.
- Under Quality, choose Best, Highest Bitrate, or Audio.
- Enable subtitles, transcoding, or “Keep transcoded file only” as needed.
- Click Start.
The task appears under Library → Running.
Custom download
Section titled “Custom download”- Select Custom Mode.
- Click “Check Link.”
- Wait for the page to list available qualities, audio tracks, and subtitles.
- Select the content you need, and choose a transcode preset if you want another format.
- Click Start.
Sites provide different media streams, so the options vary by link. XiaDown cannot generate a resolution, audio track, or subtitle that the page does not list.
Batch downloads and playlists
Section titled “Batch downloads and playlists”When you paste multiple links or a recognized playlist link, XiaDown opens a batch list. Review the quality, subtitles, session, and transcode settings for each entry, then create the tasks together.
Batch tasks still follow the download concurrency limit. Excessive concurrency can trigger site rate limits; lower it under Settings → Download if needed.
Content that requires sign-in
Section titled “Content that requires sign-in”First sign in to the corresponding site under Library → App Sessions. Return to the download window and enable “Use App Session.” A session only provides access that your account already has; it cannot bypass site or account restrictions.
When a link cannot be parsed
Section titled “When a link cannot be parsed”- Check that the link is complete and opens on the current network.
- Verify yt-dlp, FFmpeg, and Bun.
- Revalidate the App Session when sign-in is required.
- If the page plays but its link cannot be parsed directly, use Sniffing.