Why a video won’t download, and what to do
Last updated 22 October 2026
PocketClip only works with public posts, and it gets each video from the platform the moment you ask. So when a download fails, the reason is usually the post itself, or the platform. Here is what each message means.
“We can’t download from that link”
The link isn’t to a single post on a site PocketClip supports. Common causes:
- A profile link on TikTok, Instagram or X. Open one video and copy its link instead. (Snapchat profile links do work: they list the videos in the creator’s public story.)
- A link from another site. PocketClip works with TikTok, Instagram, X (Twitter) and Snapchat.
- A TikTok live stream, which can’t be downloaded.
- Part of the link is missing. Copy it again from the app’s share menu rather than typing it.
“We couldn’t find that post”
The post can’t be found. Usually it was deleted, or the account was removed or suspended. On TikTok, the same message appears for videos blocked in some countries, because TikTok answers the same way in both cases. On X, it also appears for posts X only shows to logged-in users, such as posts marked as sensitive and posts from protected accounts, because X shows nothing of them otherwise. A Snapchat profile with no public story in the last 24 hours also has nothing to find.
“That video is private or needs a login”
The post is only visible to some people, so PocketClip can’t see it:
- posts from private or protected accounts
- Instagram posts limited to some audiences, such as adults
- posts marked as sensitive on X
- Instagram stories, and Snapchat stories that aren’t public
PocketClip never asks for your login and never accesses private content, so these can’t be downloaded.
“That post has no video we can download”
The post exists but has nothing PocketClip can download. It may be a post with only photos on X, which PocketClip can’t save yet, or a post that only links to a video somewhere else, such as a YouTube link shared on X. (Photos on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat do download.)
“That Space is still live” or “That Space hasn’t started yet”
PocketClip saves a Space’s recording, which only exists once the Space is over. For a live Space, leave the page open: we look again every few minutes, and the download options appear as soon as it ends, if the host is recording it. For one that hasn’t started, come back after it’s over.
“That Space has no recording to download”
The Space ended without a recording: the host didn’t record it, or has turned off its replay. X only keeps a recording when the host turns recording on, and PocketClip can only save Spaces that have one.
“That site is limiting downloads right now”
The platform is temporarily turning away requests. Wait a few minutes and try again. Nothing is wrong with the link.
“You’re going a bit fast” or “You’ve reached today’s download limit”
To keep PocketClip available for everyone, each visitor can make a limited number of requests per minute and per day. Wait a minute, or come back tomorrow if you’ve hit the daily limit.
“Downloads from that site are temporarily broken”
Platforms sometimes change how they work, and that can break downloads for everyone until we update PocketClip. We’re alerted automatically when it happens. Try again later.
“That took too long” or “Something went wrong”
A temporary problem between PocketClip and the platform. Try again in a moment. If it keeps happening with the same link, the post may have a problem on the platform’s side.
“This video was removed from our service following a copyright request”
The rights holder asked us to stop processing this post, so PocketClip no longer downloads it. The post may still be on the platform itself. See copyright and takedowns for how these requests work.
The download starts but the video won’t play
- On an older phone or a Windows PC, try the option without HEVC in its name. HEVC is a newer format that some devices can’t play.
- If the video opens in a new tab instead of downloading, save it from your browser’s menu, or right-click it on a computer and choose Save video as.
- If you saved a ZIP file, unzip it first: tap it in the Files app on iPhone, use Files by Google on Android, or double-click it on a computer.
Still stuck?
Email us at contact@pocketclip.app with the link you tried and the message you saw.