TROUBLESHOOTING
Private or login-walled links
Why friends-only, group, and sign-in-required posts fail — and how to check.
- 01
Test in an incognito window
Paste the same URL into a private browser tab where you are not logged into the social network. If you cannot view the post there, it is not public enough for SMDownloader.
- 02
Know what will not work
Friends-only Facebook videos, private Instagram accounts, protected X accounts, closed groups, DM-only shares, and subscriber-only SoundCloud tracks cannot be retrieved without your personal login session.
- 03
Do not paste login pages
URLs that land on a sign-in screen, age gate, or “content not available” message are not post links. Go back to the post while logged in, use Share → Copy link, and test that copied URL in incognito.
- 04
Use content you have rights to save
Even when a post is public, you still need permission to download and reuse it. Read our Acceptable Use and Copyright policies before saving someone else's work.
Related policies
Link won't downloadLink won't download Private or login-walled linkPrivate or login-walled link Wrong file or qualityWrong file or quality Where files saveWhere files save
Common questions
I can see the video while logged in — why won't it download?
Your logged-in session can access content our servers cannot. SMDownloader only fetches media that is openly available without your account.
Does SMDownloader support logging into Instagram or Facebook for me?
No. We never ask for your social network password and do not store session cookies.