FAQ
Find answers to the most common questions about TVDL.
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?
The free TVDL 4.1 shortcut saves from:
- X (Twitter), including threads and quoted tweets
- Bluesky
- Mastodon
- More platforms added regularly
TVDL Pro saves everything above, plus Instagram and TikTok, with TikTok videos saved without the watermark and Instagram reels and video posts in HD up to 1080p.
Pro also includes Threads, Facebook, Reddit, and Kuaishou in beta. They are live now, and we're still tuning them, so the occasional download may miss. See the full list on supported platforms.
Does it work on iPad and Mac?
Yes! TVDL works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Any device running iOS 13+, iPadOS 13+, 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.
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.
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:
- More apps: Everything free, plus Instagram, TikTok, and Threads, Facebook, Reddit, and Kuaishou in beta. Save TikTok without the watermark and Instagram reels and video posts in HD up to 1080p
- 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 or $48/year (save 20% with annual billing). There is also a one-time Lifetime plan. Lifetime is $149 today. The price goes up over time, so buying earlier costs less.
What is the Lifetime plan?
The Lifetime plan is a one-time payment that gives you permanent access to all TVDL Pro features, with no recurring fees. Lifetime is $149 today. The price goes up over time, so buying earlier costs less.
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.
Why doesn't my download work?
There are several common reasons:
- Platform changes: Social networks frequently update their systems. Update TVDL to the latest version.
- Network issues: Check your internet connection
- Permissions: Make sure Shortcuts has permission to run scripts and access Photos
- 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?
- Check the Troubleshooting Guide for common issues
- Update your shortcut to the latest version
- If you're still stuck, contact us and we'll help
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 13 or later, and it is tested and working on the current release, iOS 27. For Mac, you need macOS 12 (Monterey) or later.
Does TVDL work on iOS 27?
Yes. Both the free shortcut and TVDL Pro were tested on iOS 27 and work unchanged, so there is no update you need to install.
If TVDL disappeared from the Share Sheet after the update, see After Updating to iOS 27 for the fix. The full write-up is on the blog: TVDL works on iOS 27.
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.
Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us and we'll be happy to help!