X, still called Twitter by most people searching for this, does have a built-in way to download videos, but only for paying subscribers and only when the poster allows it. This guide is for anyone who wants to keep a video from X: one to watch again, their own as a backup, or an account’s videos to study what works for it. It covers what X itself offers first, then the other ways and what each one costs you.
Only download what you have the right to. The person who posted a video owns it, and X’s terms limit what you can do with other people’s content.
Can you download videos from X?
Yes, if you pay for X Premium and the video allows it. X’s help says Premium subscribers can download videos from certain posts for offline viewing. X has renamed its plans several times, and its help pages don’t agree on which ones include downloads, so check the plan’s list of features before paying for this alone (checked October 2026).
A video can be downloaded when all of these are true:
- You’re a paying subscriber with a plan that includes downloads.
- It was posted on or after 25 July 2023. Older videos can’t be downloaded.
- The poster didn’t turn it off. Videos are downloadable by default, unless the poster switched off Allow video to be downloaded when they posted. Videos uploaded through Media Studio are the other way round: off unless the uploader turns it on.
How do I download a video on X?
In the X app, press and hold the video, or open the post’s menu, and tap Download video.
- Open the post with the video in the X app.
- Press and hold the video, or tap the three dots at the top right of the post.
- Tap Download video. It saves to your phone.
X’s help pages describe both ways in different versions, and the menu moves between app updates. If Download video isn’t there at all, one of the conditions above isn’t met. X’s help page: How to share and watch videos on X.
How do I save an X video without downloading it?
Bookmark the post. Bookmarks are free and private; they keep the post in X rather than giving you a file.
- On the post, tap the Bookmark icon, or tap the Share icon and choose Add post to Bookmarks.
- To find it later, open Bookmarks from X’s menu.
Paying subscribers can sort bookmarks into folders by pressing and holding the Bookmark icon. If the poster deletes the post, the video is gone. Help: About Bookmarks.
How do I download my own videos from X?
Download your X archive. It’s a copy of your account, including your posts and their media, in a file you can open in a browser.
- Open Settings and privacy, then Your account.
- Choose Download an archive of your data and confirm it’s you (X asks for your password, or a code sent to your email or phone).
- Tap Request archive. X emails you and notifies you in the app when it’s ready, which can take a few days.
You need a confirmed email address first. Help: How to download your X archive.
What about Twitter video downloader websites?
They’re the sites that rank for “Twitter video downloader”: paste a post’s link, get a file, with no subscription. They work on one post at a time.
- Ads and worse. Many are covered in pop-ups and redirects, and some push fake download buttons, unwanted extensions or malware. Never install anything a downloader site asks for, and never give one your X password.
- The poster’s choice is ignored. They download videos whose posters turned downloads off.
- Terms. Using them may break X’s terms, and the poster still owns the video.
Which way should I use?
| Way | Free | Others’ videos | Many at once | Watermark | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download video (X app) | No, a paid plan | If the poster allows, posted from 25 July 2023 | No, one at a time | None that X mentions | None |
| Bookmarks | Yes | Yes | No, one at a time | No file | None; a link, not a file |
| Your X archive | Yes | No, your own only | Yes, your account | None | None |
| Downloader sites | Usually, with ads | Public videos | Mostly one at a time | Varies | Ads, malware, breaking X’s terms |
| Parsly | Yes | Public videos you can watch | Yes, a whole profile | Parsly adds none | Keep only what you have the right to |
What can’t you do?
- Download videos with X’s own tools without paying. Bookmarks don’t give you a file.
- Download videos posted before 25 July 2023 with X’s own button.
- Get videos from protected accounts you don’t follow, or anything you can’t see yourself. No honest tool can, Parsly included.
How do I keep an account’s videos for research with Parsly?
Parsly is a free Chrome extension for studying what works for an account. It keeps each post and video together with its numbers, so you know which ones are worth a closer look.
- Open the account’s profile on x.com, and open Parsly from Chrome’s toolbar. The first time, allow it on X; it asks once per site.
- Click Collect. Parsly scrolls the profile like you would and reads each post’s views, likes, reposts, replies and date.
- Parsly marks the breakouts: posts that beat that account’s usual views, such as “8x his usual views”.
- Save the videos you want to keep, and download the list as a spreadsheet (CSV) with each post’s numbers.
It reads only public pages you can see yourself. Use what you save to learn from; ask the poster before using it anywhere else. For the posts themselves in a spreadsheet, see how to export posts from X.
Questions people ask
Can I download X videos without Premium?
Not with X's own tools. Its Download video option is for paying subscribers. Without one, you can bookmark the post, or for your own videos, download your X archive.
Why can't I download a video on X even with Premium?
The video was posted before 25 July 2023, or the poster turned off Allow video to be downloaded when they posted it. Videos uploaded through Media Studio aren't downloadable unless the uploader turns it on.
Can I stop people downloading my videos on X?
Yes, when you post: X's help says the option is under Edit, then Settings, while you write the post. It can't be changed afterwards; the only way to stop downloads later is to delete the post.
Are X bookmarks private?
Yes. X says bookmarks are only visible to you. Paying subscribers can also sort them into folders.
What is a Twitter video downloader?
A website or app that takes a post's link and gives you the video file. They aren't made by X, they're often full of ads, and some carry malware; using one may break X's terms.