Paste the permitted link
Open the URL in ALBA. A compatible media suffix or response type can identify it as a direct downloadable resource.
Save a direct video link on iPhone.
When a permitted URL points directly to a supported media file, ALBA can skip page scanning and move straight to the download destination, progress, private storage, and offline playback flow.
Some vault-account, search, and bulk features require Pro. Current limits and pricing are shown inside the app.
Only save media you own or that the source explicitly authorizes you to download and keep. Availability depends on the page, format, and source rules. ALBA is not designed to bypass access controls or digital rights protections.
Download a compatible direct media URL.
Direct files remove the playlist layer, but authorization, redirects, range support, format, and expiration can still matter.
Confirm destination and start
Choose where the file should live in your vault, verify the expected item, and begin the transfer.
Open the completed file
After finalization, use Downloads or the destination folder to play supported media offline.
What makes a direct link different?
A URL that looks like a video link is not always a direct downloadable file.
Direct media response
The server returns the media bytes with a compatible content type or disposition instead of a webpage.
Redirected or temporary URL
The source may redirect to a temporary delivery address. The final resource can expire, so use only a download path the source explicitly provides or permits.
Playlist rather than file
An M3U8 URL is a playlist, not a complete video file. Use the supported HLS flow when the source delivers segments.
Common direct-link limits
Some servers support resumable range requests; others require a full restart. Some temporary links work only while a session or signature remains valid. A filename extension can also be misleading when the server returns HTML, an error document, or an authentication page.
ALBA checks response information and finalization state, but it cannot turn an inaccessible, unauthorized, protected, or incompatible URL into a valid media file.
- Redirects can change the final host
- Temporary links can expire
- Range requests determine resume behavior
- Content type and disposition can identify the real file
- Codec support still determines playback
Direct video link FAQ
Why a simple-looking URL can still behave differently.
Does the URL need to end in .mp4?
Not always. A compatible response content type or Content-Disposition filename can identify media even without a visible suffix. The server still must return an authorized supported file.
Why does resume restart the download?
The source may not support range requests, or the temporary URL and authorization may have changed.
Why did ALBA save an error page instead of a video?
The source may have redirected to a login, denial, or expired-link document. Reopen the authorized source and request a fresh resource.
Can a direct file be kept in a private folder?
Yes. Choose the ALBA vault destination before starting, then organize and open the completed item from that folder.
Turn a permitted direct link into a private offline file.
Paste the link, choose the destination, and keep the completed media inside ALBA.