Getting Started with TVDL

Welcome to TVDL! This guide will help you get set up and downloading videos in just a few minutes.

Requirements

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• iOS 15 or later (iPhone or iPad), or macOS 12 or later (Mac)
• The Shortcuts app installed (it comes pre-installed on most devices)
• An active internet connection

Step 1: Get Your Shortcut

1. Visit tvdl.app on your device
2. Click Get Shortcut on TVDL 4.1
3. Enter your email address
4. Check your inbox and click the verification link
5. You'll see the download button for TVDL 4.1

Step 2: Add the Shortcut

1. Tap the Download button for TVDL 4.1
2. The Shortcuts app will open with a preview of TVDL
3. Scroll down and tap Add Shortcut
4. The shortcut is now in your library!

Step 3: First-Time Setup

The first time you run TVDL, you may need to grant some permissions:

Allow Shortcuts to Run Scripts

When prompted, tap Allow to let Shortcuts run scripts. This is required for TVDL to work.

Allow Access to Photos

TVDL needs permission to save videos to your Photos library. Tap Allow when prompted.

Allow Network Access

TVDL needs to connect to the internet to download videos. Tap Allow when prompted.

Next Steps

Now that you're set up, learn How to Use TVDL to download your first video.

Having trouble? Check out our Troubleshooting Guide.

How to Use TVDL

TVDL makes downloading videos simple. Just share a video to the shortcut and it handles the rest.

Using the Share Sheet (Recommended)

The easiest way to use TVDL is through the Share Sheet:

Step 1: Find a Video

Open your social media app (X, Bluesky, Mastodon, etc.) and find a video you want to download.

Step 2: Tap Share

Tap the Share button on the post. On X, this is the share icon at the bottom of a tweet. On Bluesky and Mastodon, look for the share or more options menu.

Step 3: Select TVDL

In the Share Sheet, scroll through the actions and tap TVDL.

If you don't see TVDL, tap Edit Actions at the bottom and enable it.

Step 4: Choose Quality (Optional)

Some videos offer multiple quality options. If prompted, select your preferred resolution.

Step 5: Done!

The video will download and save to your Photos library. You'll see a confirmation when it's complete.

Running from the Shortcuts App

You can also run TVDL directly from the Shortcuts app:

1. Open the Shortcuts app
2. Find and tap the TVDL shortcut
3. Paste a video URL when prompted, or the shortcut will use your clipboard
4. Wait for the download to complete

Supported Platforms

TVDL 4.1 supports all major platforms in one shortcut:

• X (Twitter) posts with videos
• Thread videos
• Quoted tweets with videos
• Animated GIFs
• Bluesky posts with videos
• Mastodon posts with videos
• Additional platforms added regularly

Tips for Best Results

Copy the Link First

If the Share Sheet isn't working, try copying the post link first, then running TVDL from the Shortcuts app. The shortcut will automatically use the URL from your clipboard.

Check Your Connection

Downloads require a stable internet connection. If a download fails, try again on WiFi.

Keep TVDL Updated

We regularly update TVDL to fix issues and add new features. Check How to Update to make sure you have the latest version.

Troubleshooting

• "No video found" - Make sure the post actually contains a video, not just an image
• Download fails - Check our Troubleshooting Guide for common issues
• TVDL not in Share Sheet - See the Getting Started guide to enable it

Troubleshooting

Having trouble with TVDL? Here are solutions to the most common issues.

Download Failed

"Could not download video"

This usually means the video couldn't be extracted from the post. Try these steps:

1. Check if the video is available - Some videos may be deleted or restricted
2. Copy the link and try again - Copy the post URL and run TVDL from the Shortcuts app
3. Update TVDL - You may be using an outdated version. See How to Update
4. Try again later - Sometimes platforms have temporary issues

"Network error"

This means TVDL couldn't connect to our servers:

1. Check your internet connection - Make sure you're connected to WiFi or have cellular data
2. Try again on a different network - Some networks may block our servers
3. Disable VPN - VPNs can sometimes interfere with downloads
4. Wait and retry - Our servers may be temporarily busy

"No video found"

The post may not contain a downloadable video:

1. Verify there's a video - Some posts only have images or GIFs
2. Try the direct link - Copy the post URL and paste it when running TVDL

Permission Issues

"Shortcuts doesn't have permission to run scripts"

1. Open Settings > Shortcuts
2. Enable Allow Running Scripts
3. Also enable Private Sharing if prompted
4. Try running TVDL again

"TVDL can't save to Photos"

1. Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos
2. Find Shortcuts in the list
3. Change permission to Add Photos Only or Full Access
4. Try running TVDL again

"Network access denied"

1. Open Settings > Shortcuts
2. Make sure Allow Sharing Large Amounts of Data is enabled
3. Try running TVDL again

TVDL Not Showing in Share Sheet

If TVDL doesn't appear when you tap Share:

1. Edit your Share Sheet - Tap Edit Actions at the bottom of the Share Sheet
2. Enable TVDL - Find TVDL in the list and toggle it on
3. Move TVDL up - Drag it higher in the list so it's easier to find
4. Restart your device - Sometimes a restart helps refresh the Share Sheet

Shortcut Won't Run

"An error occurred while running the shortcut"

1. Delete and reinstall - Remove the shortcut and download it again from tvdl.app
2. Check for updates - Make sure you have the latest version
3. Restart Shortcuts - Force close the Shortcuts app and reopen it
4. Restart your device - A restart can fix many issues

"This shortcut cannot be opened"

The shortcut file may be corrupted:

1. Delete the shortcut from your library
2. Clear your browser cache
3. Download a fresh copy from tvdl.app

Video Quality Issues

Low quality video

By default, TVDL tries to get the highest quality available. If you're getting low quality:

1. Check the original - Some videos are uploaded in low quality
2. Select quality manually - When prompted, choose a higher resolution
3. Consider Pro - TVDL Pro includes Max-Q for maximum quality downloads

Video has no audio

This is rare but can happen with some platform-specific issues:

1. Check the original - Some videos don't have audio
2. Try downloading again - It may be a temporary extraction issue
3. Report the issue - Contact us with the video link so we can investigate

Still Having Issues?

If none of these solutions work:

1. Check our status page - There may be a known issue we're working on
2. Update to the latest version - See How to Update
3. Contact support - Send us a message with details about the issue

When contacting support, please include:

• Your TVDL version
• The platform and post you're trying to download from
• Any error messages you see
• Your device and iOS/macOS version

Update Your Shortcut

Keeping TVDL updated ensures you have the best experience with the latest fixes and features.

Why Update?

We regularly update TVDL to:

• Fix download issues - Social media platforms change frequently, and we update TVDL to keep up
• Add new features - We're always improving TVDL based on user feedback
• Improve reliability - Each update makes TVDL more stable and faster
• Support new platforms - We add support for new social networks over time

Check Your Current Version

To see which version of TVDL you have:

1. Open the Shortcuts app
2. Find the TVDL shortcut
3. Tap the ... (more options) button in the corner
4. Look for the version number in the shortcut description or at the bottom

How to Update

Unfortunately, iOS Shortcuts don't update automatically like apps do. Here's how to update manually:

Step 1: Delete the Old Version

1. Open the Shortcuts app
2. Find the TVDL shortcut
3. Long press on it and tap Delete
4. Confirm the deletion

Step 2: Download the New Version

1. Visit tvdl.app
2. Click Get Shortcut on TVDL 4.1
3. If you've already verified your email, you can go directly to your download page
4. Download and add the shortcut as you did originally

Step 3: Grant Permissions Again

The first time you run the updated shortcut, you may need to grant permissions again. This is normal.

What's New

Check our announcements for information about the latest updates:

• New features and improvements
• Bug fixes
• Platform support changes

We announce major updates via email to subscribers. Make sure you haven't unsubscribed if you want to receive these notifications.

Automatic Update Notifications

Currently, shortcuts can't notify you of updates automatically. Here are some ways to stay informed:

1. Subscribe to updates - We'll email you when a major update is available
2. Check the website - Visit tvdl.app periodically to see if there's a new version
3. Watch for issues - If downloads start failing, it's often time for an update

Troubleshooting Updates

"I can't find the delete option"

Long press on the shortcut and wait for the menu to appear. If that doesn't work:

1. Tap Select at the top of the Shortcuts app
2. Tap the shortcut to select it
3. Tap the Delete button

"The new version doesn't work"

If you're having issues after updating:

1. Make sure you deleted the old version completely
2. Clear your browser cache before downloading
3. Check our Troubleshooting Guide for common issues
4. Contact us if the problem persists

"I want to keep the old version"

We recommend always using the latest version, but if you need the old version for some reason, let us know via contact and we can help.

Pro Users

If you're a TVDL Pro subscriber, make sure to update your shortcut to get the full benefits of your subscription. Pro features are built into the shortcut and require the latest version to work correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about TVDL.

General Questions

What is TVDL?

TVDL (The Video Downloading Tools) is an iOS Shortcut that lets you download videos from social media platforms like X (Twitter), Bluesky, and Mastodon. Just share a post to TVDL and the video saves to your Photos.

Is TVDL free?

Yes! TVDL is free to use. We offer a Pro subscription with additional features like multi-engine fallback and dedicated servers, but the free version works great for most users.

What platforms are supported?

TVDL 4.1 supports all major platforms in a single shortcut:

• X (Twitter) — including threads and quoted tweets
• Bluesky
• Mastodon
• More platforms added regularly

Does it work on iPad and Mac?

Yes! TVDL works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Any device running iOS 15+, iPadOS 15+, or macOS 12+ with the Shortcuts app can use TVDL.

Why do I need to enter my email?

We use email verification to prevent automated abuse and to occasionally send you important updates (like when we fix a broken platform). We respect your inbox and only send a few emails per year. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Privacy & Security

Is TVDL safe to use?

Yes, TVDL is safe. The shortcut runs on your device and only connects to our servers to process video downloads. We don't collect personal data beyond your email address for updates.

What data do you collect?

• Email address - Used for verification and occasional updates
• Download requests - We log which platforms are requested (not specific URLs) to monitor service health

We never sell or share your data with third parties. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Can you see the videos I download?

No. Video URLs pass through our servers for processing, but we don't store or view the content. We also don't log specific URLs - only aggregate statistics like "X downloads today."

Where are videos saved?

Videos are saved directly to your device's Photos library. They never touch our servers - we only help extract the video URL, and your device downloads directly from the source.

Pricing & Pro

Why is TVDL Pro paid?

Every time someone downloads a video, it costs us money — platforms like X (Twitter) charge for each API request. We used to rely on donations, but most people donate once and use the shortcut forever, which doesn't cover the ongoing costs. Pro subscriptions let us keep the servers running, maintain the shortcut as platforms change, and keep the free version available for everyone.

What's included in TVDL Pro?

TVDL Pro includes:

• Multi-engine fallback - If one extraction method fails, Pro automatically tries others
• Dedicated servers - Faster, more reliable downloads with priority processing
• Max-Q downloads - Get the highest quality available
• No donation prompts - Clean experience without interruptions
• Priority support - Get help faster when you need it

How much does Pro cost?

Pro is $5/month, $48/year (save 20% with annual billing), or a one-time payment for lifetime access. The lifetime price starts low for early adopters and increases over time.

What is the Lifetime plan?

The Lifetime plan is a one-time payment that gives you permanent access to all TVDL Pro features — no recurring fees, ever. The price increases over time, so the earlier you get in, the better the deal.

Can I cancel my Pro subscription?

Yes, you can cancel monthly or annual subscriptions anytime. Your Pro features will remain active until the end of your billing period. The Lifetime plan never expires.

How do I manage my Pro subscription?

Visit pro.tvdl.app to manage your subscription, update payment methods, or cancel.

Troubleshooting

Why doesn't my download work?

There are several common reasons:

1. Platform changes - Social networks frequently update their systems. Update TVDL to the latest version.
2. Network issues - Check your internet connection
3. Permissions - Make sure Shortcuts has permission to run scripts and access Photos
4. Video restrictions - Some videos may be region-locked or deleted

See our Troubleshooting Guide for detailed solutions.

TVDL was working but stopped. What happened?

Social media platforms change their video systems regularly, which can break downloaders. We monitor for these issues and release updates quickly. Update your shortcut to get the fix.

How do I get help?

1. Check the Troubleshooting Guide for common issues
2. Update your shortcut to the latest version
3. If you're still stuck, contact us and we'll help

Technical Questions

Why use a Shortcut instead of an app?

Shortcuts integrate directly with iOS, letting you use TVDL from the Share Sheet in any app. This is faster and more convenient than copying links to a separate app. We may release native apps for Pro users in the future.

Does TVDL work offline?

No, TVDL requires an internet connection to work. Videos are streamed from social media servers, so you need to be online to download them.

What iOS version do I need?

TVDL requires iOS 15 or later. For Mac, you need macOS 12 (Monterey) or later.

Can I use TVDL on Android?

No, TVDL is only available for Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) because it uses the Shortcuts app which is Apple-specific.

Still Have Questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us and we'll be happy to help!