Can ALBA detect the media?
Use a source that explicitly permits downloading, open it normally, and then use the media scan. If the source delivers a supported direct file or HLS playlist to the device, it can appear in the result list.
Get ALBA working from detection to offline playback.
Start with the exact stage that is not working: page detection, quality selection, download progress, opening the completed file, playback, or access to your private vault.
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.
Start with the three-stage check.
Most issues become clear when detection, transfer, and playback are tested separately.
Can the download complete?
Check free space, network stability, destination access, and the Downloads panel. Pause and resume once; if the source link expired, retry from the page.
Can the completed format play?
Open the item from Downloads or the vault. A successful transfer does not guarantee that every codec or container is supported by the device player.
Choose the issue you see.
These are the most common causes and the highest-value checks.
No media appears
Wait until the authorized source is fully loaded, then scan again. Some sources do not expose a compatible downloadable resource or use unsupported protection.
No quality selector
A selector appears only when a compatible source exposes multiple distinct variants. A single direct file has no alternative quality to choose.
A download pauses or fails
Check free storage and connectivity. Temporary source links can expire or reject resumed range requests; reopening the authorized source may be required.
A pending item after relaunch
Open Downloads and use resume or retry. ALBA can recover supported records, but an expired temporary source link may require a fresh source-provided download.
The file downloads but will not play
The container may be recognized while its video or audio codec is unsupported. Try a different exposed quality or format when the source offers one.
Passcode or private-file access
The developer cannot recover your local vault passcode. Keep your device backup current and do not delete the app if it contains your only copy of important files.
Before you contact support
Use a piece of media you own or that the source explicitly permits you to download and save. Avoid sending the URL, filename, file, account credential, or private content in a support message.
Record the stage that failed, app version, iOS version, media type, whether it was a direct link or HLS, approximate file-size range, and the visible error. This is usually enough to identify the subsystem without exposing your content.
- App version and iOS version
- Detection, download, finalization, or playback stage
- Direct file or HLS/M3U8
- Approximate size range
- Exact visible error text without private URLs
Support FAQ
Quick answers for the questions that do not require a support ticket.
Why does the same page work one day and not the next?
Websites change player code, media URLs, cookies, access rules, and delivery methods. A temporary media URL can also expire.
Why is there only one quality?
The source may expose only one direct file, or ALBA may receive only one compatible variant. ALBA cannot invent a quality that the source does not provide.
Can support recover my passcode?
No. The local vault passcode is not available to the developer. Use device backups and keep independent copies of irreplaceable data.
Should I send the problem URL?
Avoid sending private or sensitive URLs. Start with the app and iOS versions, stage, media type, approximate size, and visible error. Send a public test URL only when you have the right to share it.
Test ALBA 1.2 with a source-authorized sample.
After ALBA 1.2 appears on the App Store, use a compatible sample you own or the source explicitly permits you to download.