Vimeo's download rules depend on who uploaded the video

Whether you can download a video from Vimeo depends entirely on what the person who uploaded it decided. Some creators allow downloads; most do not. If a download button appears on the video player, the creator turned it on. If you do not see one, the video cannot be downloaded through Vimeo's official tools — no workaround will change that.

Vimeo does not let you download videos you do not own unless the uploader specifically permitted it. This is different from some other video sites. The creator controls the setting, and Vimeo enforces it.

Key Takeaways

  • A download button only appears if the video's creator turned on downloads in their Vimeo settings.
  • If you see a download button, click it and choose your preferred video quality before saving the file to your computer.
  • Downloaded videos are saved as MP4 files in your Downloads folder by default, and file size varies by quality and video length.
  • If no download button exists, the creator has not permitted downloads, and Vimeo's official system will not let you save the video.

Finding and clicking the download button

Start by playing the video you want to download. Look at the bottom right of the video player window. You should see several small icons: a gear icon (settings), a picture-in-picture icon, and sometimes a download icon that looks like an arrow pointing downward into a line. If that download icon is there, the creator allowed downloads.

Click the download icon. A menu will pop up showing you different quality options, usually labeled as 360p, 540p, 720p, or 1080p depending on how the video was uploaded. Higher numbers mean larger file sizes and better picture quality. Choose the quality you want, then click it. Your browser will start downloading the file immediately.

The video will save to your Downloads folder with a name like "vimeo_12345.mp4" unless you changed your browser's download settings. You can rename it to something more useful after it finishes downloading.

What to do if you do not see a download button

If the download icon does not appear on the video player, the creator did not turn on downloads for that video. Vimeo does not provide another way to download videos that the creator has locked. This is intentional — it is how creators protect their work.

You have two options. First, you can contact the person who uploaded the video and ask them to send you a copy or to turn on downloads. Second, you can watch the video online without downloading it. There is no technical workaround that will bypass the creator's choice.

Understanding file sizes and storage space

Before you download, think about how much space the file will take up. A video downloaded at 720p quality typically uses 100 to 300 megabytes per minute of video, depending on how much motion and detail the video contains. A 10-minute video at 720p might be 1 to 3 gigabytes. Higher quality (1080p) takes up roughly twice as much space.

Check how much free space your computer has before you start a large download. On Windows, right-click your C: drive and select Properties. On Mac, click the Apple menu, choose About This Mac, then click Storage. If you are running low on space, download at a lower quality or delete files you no longer need.

Moving your downloaded video to a different folder

Downloaded videos land in your Downloads folder by default. If you want to keep them organized, move them to a folder where you store other videos. On Windows, open File Explorer, go to Downloads, right-click the video file, and select Cut. Then navigate to the folder where you want to keep it, right-click, and select Paste.

On Mac, open Finder, click Downloads in the sidebar, then drag the video file to the folder where you want it. You can also create a new folder just for Vimeo videos if you plan to download several. Organizing them now makes them much easier to find later.

Playing your downloaded video on different devices

Downloaded Vimeo videos are standard MP4 files, which means they work on almost any device. On Windows, double-click the file and it will open in your default video player. On Mac, double-click it to open in QuickTime. Both systems can play MP4 files without installing anything extra.

To watch on a phone or tablet, you can email the file to yourself, use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, or connect your computer to your phone with a USB cable and copy the file over. Some phones and tablets have size limits for email attachments, so cloud storage is usually faster for large videos.

Checking your download progress and troubleshooting

While a video is downloading, your browser shows a progress bar. On most browsers, you can see this in the Downloads section at the bottom of the window or by pressing Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+Shift+J (Mac). If the download stalls or stops, try clicking the download button again — sometimes the connection drops and you need to restart.

If your download keeps failing, try a lower quality setting. Large files sometimes fail partway through, especially on slower internet connections. Downloading at 540p instead of 1080p reduces the file size and makes the download more likely to complete. You can also try downloading at a different time of day when your internet connection might be faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download a video if I am not logged into Vimeo?

Yes. The download button appears or does not appear based on the creator's settings, not on whether you have an account. If the button is visible, you can download without logging in. If it is not visible, logging in will not make it appear.

What happens if I download a video and the creator later removes it from Vimeo?

Your downloaded copy stays on your computer. Downloading a video creates a permanent copy on your device that is no longer connected to Vimeo. The creator cannot remove it from your computer once you have it.

Can I edit or share a video I downloaded from Vimeo?

You can edit it on your own computer using video editing software. Sharing depends on the video's copyright and the creator's terms. Just because you can download something does not mean you can post it online or use it commercially. Check the video's description or contact the creator if you are unsure.

Why is my downloaded video file so large?

Video files are naturally large because they contain many images per second plus audio. A 10-minute video at 1080p can easily be 2 to 4 gigabytes. If storage is tight, download at 540p or 360p instead, which uses a quarter to a third of the space.

Can I download videos on my phone or tablet?

The Vimeo app on phones and tablets does not have a download button like the website does. If you need the video on your phone, download it to your computer first, then transfer it using cloud storage or a USB cable.