Streaming platforms often use M3U8 playlists to deliver video content in small segments. Saving these videos directly from a browser is usually difficult — unless you use the M3U8 Downloader.
This free online tool lets you download M3U8 video streams, track the status of every segment, retry failed parts, and finally merge all segments into a single video file — all in your browser.
Whether you’re backing up content, analyzing video streams, or saving authorized media, this tool provides a smooth, intuitive workflow.
What Is an M3U8 Playlist?
M3U8 is a file format used by HLS (HTTP Live Streaming).
An M3U8 playlist:
- Does not contain the video itself
- Contains URLs to hundreds or thousands of small .ts segments
- Plays video by streaming these segments in order
The M3U8 Downloader processes all segments, downloads them, and merges them into one video.
How to Use the M3U8 Downloader
1. Enter the M3U8 URL
Go to the M3U8 Downloader page and paste your playlist link, usually ending with: `.m3u8`
Press Enter or click Start Download to begin.
2. Video Segments Are Parsed Automatically
The tool will:
- Fetch the M3U8 playlist
- Extract and normalize every segment URL
- Display the total number of segments in a dashboard
If the M3U8 requires a proxy, the tool automatically uses a server-side proxy.
3. Monitor Download Progress
You will see:
- Total segments
- Completed segments
- Currently downloading
- Failure count
- Overall progress (%)
Each segment is visualized as a small colored block:
- Gray – pending
- Yellow – downloading
- Green – completed
- Red – failed (click to retry)
This gives you a clear, real-time view of the download process.
4. Retry Failed Segments
Files can fail due to:
- Network issues
- Server throttling
- Temporary connection drops
Simply click any red block to retry downloading just that segment.
You only need all segments downloaded once to proceed to merging.
5. Automatic Merging
Once all segments are successfully downloaded:
- The tool merges every .ts segment in order
- Combines them into a single .ts video file
- Automatically triggers a download to your device
You will see a “Download Complete!” notification when finished.
Important Notes
The M3U8 Downloader is powerful but comes with some limitations:
- Large videos may require several minutes
- Your browser must remain open during the process
- Encrypted M3U8 streams (using EXT-X-KEY) may not be downloadable
- Ensure you have enough disk space
- Use responsibly — only download content you are legally authorized to access
Why Use This Tool?
- Works fully online — no installation
- Downloads via browser or server proxy
- Visual segment status makes debugging easy
- Handles thousands of segments efficiently
- One-click merging into a single video
- Completely free
Perfect for developers, researchers, or users who need to save legitimate streaming content.