Advanced Settings: Using Cookies

Social Saver can download content that requires you to be logged in. This includes:

• Private videos (e.g., unlisted YouTube videos you have access to)
• Age-restricted content that needs login confirmation
• Content from sites where you're a member or subscriber (e.g., Patreon, specific forums)
• Full Instagram profiles or private posts if you follow them

To do this, Social Saver needs to use your browser's login information, which is stored in "cookies".

How to Set Up Cookies in Social Saver

You'll configure this in Social Saver's settings:

1. 1. Open Settings: In the Social Saver app, click the Settings icon (it looks like a gear ⚙️).
2. 2. Go to "Cookies Settings": This section might be under an "Advanced" tab or its own "Cookies" tab within settings.

   

3. 3. Enable "Use Cookies": Toggle the switch ON to activate cookie usage.

   

4. 4. Choose "Cookies Source": You have two options:
   • From Browser: (Easier, might not always work)

     Social Saver will try to automatically use cookies from one of your installed web browsers.

     • Select this option.
     • Choose your desired browser from the "Default Browser" dropdown. This should be the browser where you are currently logged into the website you want to download from.
     Note on "From Browser"

     This method is convenient but can sometimes be less reliable than using a cookie file, especially with complex browser profiles or certain websites. If it doesn't work, try the "From File" method.

   • From File: (More reliable, requires an extra step)

     You'll export your cookies from your browser into a `cookies.txt` file and tell Social Saver where to find it.

     1. Select the "From File" option.
     2. Export your cookies:
        • We recommend using a browser extension like "Get cookies.txt LOCALLY".
          Chrome/Edge Extension Firefox Extension
        • Install the extension, log into the website (e.g., YouTube, Instagram, Patreon), make sure you're on a page of that site, click the extension icon (🍪), and click "Export As cookies.txt".
        • Save the `cookies.txt` file somewhere safe and memorable.

        

     3. Set the file path in Social Saver: Click the "Browse" button next to "Cookies File Path" and select the `cookies.txt` file you just saved.

     

5. 5. Save Settings: Scroll to the bottom of the Settings page and click "Save Settings".

Using Cookies for Downloads

Once cookies are set up and saved:

• For videos and audio, paste the URL into the main "Video & Audio DL" tab and search.
• For image galleries and profiles, switch to the "Image & Gallery DL" tab, paste the URL, and download. See the Downloading Image Galleries guide for more details.

Social Saver will now use the configured cookies when trying to access the content.

Important Reminders

• Cookies Expire: Login sessions don't last forever. If downloads for private content suddenly stop working, your cookies might have expired.
  • If using "From Browser": Ensure you're still logged in on that browser. Try logging out and back in on the website.
  • If using "From File": You'll need to log in to the website again in your browser and export a new `cookies.txt` file, then update it in Social Saver settings (repeat step 4, option B, and step 5).
• One Source at a Time: Social Saver uses either the selected browser's cookies OR the specified cookie file, not both.
• Site-Specific Cookies: The cookies must be from the website you are trying to download from. Cookies for YouTube won't work for Patreon. If using a cookie file, it should contain cookies for the target site.
• Download Gently: Some websites monitor for excessive downloading. Downloading too much too quickly might get your account flagged or your IP address temporarily blocked by that site. Be reasonable.
• Security: If you used the "From File" method,delete the `cookies.txt` file from your computer when you're done, especially if it's a shared computer.