Vimeo's download rules and what you can actually save
Whether you can download a Vimeo video depends entirely on what the video's owner has allowed. Some creators turn on downloads for their viewers; others lock videos so you can only watch them on Vimeo's website or app. If the download button appears next to the video player, the creator has permitted it, and you can save the file. If there's no download button, the video is locked and you cannot legally download it.
The creator controls this setting, not Vimeo itself. A video might be downloadable on a desktop browser but not on the mobile app, or vice versa. Always look for the download option before trying other methods — if it's not there, the owner has chosen not to share the file.
Key Takeaways
- Only download a Vimeo video if the creator has enabled the download button next to the player; if it's not there, the video is locked and you should not attempt to download it.
- On a computer, click the download button, choose your preferred quality, and the video saves to your Downloads folder as an MP4 file.
- On an iPhone or Android phone, use the Vimeo app, tap the three dots, and select Download if the option appears.
- Downloaded videos stay on your device even without an internet connection, but they count against your phone or computer's storage space.
- If you cannot find a download button, contact the video's creator directly — they may be able to send you the file or change the sharing settings.
Downloading on a Windows or Mac computer
Open the Vimeo video in your web browser and look for a download button near the video player. It usually appears in the bottom right corner, next to the fullscreen icon, or in a menu that opens when you click the three dots. If you see a download icon that looks like an arrow pointing downward, click it.
A menu will appear asking you to choose a video quality. Vimeo typically offers several options — 360p, 720p, 1080p, or higher, depending on what the creator uploaded. Higher quality files are larger and take up more storage space. Select the quality you want, and the video will begin downloading to your computer's Downloads folder as an MP4 file. The download time depends on your internet speed and the video's length.
Once the download finishes, you can move the file to any folder on your computer, watch it offline, or transfer it to another device. The file will play in any video player that supports MP4 format, such as Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or VLC.
Downloading on iPhone or Android
Open the Vimeo app on your phone and find the video you want to save. Tap the three dots or menu icon (usually in the top right or bottom right of the video player). If the creator has enabled downloads, you will see a Download option in that menu. Tap it.
The app will ask you to choose a quality — typically 360p, 720p, or 1080p. Select the quality you prefer. The video will download to your phone's storage. On iPhone, downloaded videos appear in the Vimeo app under a Downloads or Saved section. On Android, they may appear in your phone's file manager or in the Vimeo app's library.
Downloaded videos take up storage space on your phone, so check how much free space you have before downloading long videos or multiple files. You can delete downloaded videos from the Vimeo app at any time to free up space.
What to do if there's no download button
If you do not see a download option in the video player, the creator has not permitted downloads. This is a deliberate choice on their part, and downloading the video through other methods would violate their permissions. Respect that boundary.
If you need the video, contact the creator directly. Explain why you need it — perhaps you want to watch it offline, use it for a project, or share it with someone else. They may be willing to send you the file, change the sharing settings, or suggest an alternative. Many creators are happy to help if you ask politely.
Common mistakes that prevent downloads
The most common mistake is looking for a download button that does not exist because the creator disabled it. Spending time searching for workarounds will not help — if the button is not there, the video is locked. Do not waste time on browser extensions or third-party tools that claim to download locked videos; these often do not work, may contain malware, or violate the creator's rights.
Another mistake is assuming that because you can see a video, you can download it. Vimeo's privacy settings are separate from download settings. A video might be public and searchable but still locked for download. Always check for the download button first.
On mobile, some people miss the download option because they are looking in the wrong menu. Make sure you tap the three dots or menu icon in the video player itself, not in the page header or elsewhere on the screen.
Where downloaded videos go and how to find them
On a Windows computer, downloaded Vimeo videos go to your Downloads folder by default. Open File Explorer, click Downloads on the left side, and you will see the video file. You can move it to another folder, rename it, or organize it however you like.
On a Mac, downloaded videos also go to the Downloads folder. Click the Finder icon in your dock, then click Downloads in the sidebar. The video file will be there with the name the creator gave it.
On iPhone, open the Vimeo app and look for a Downloads, Saved, or Library section. The exact name depends on your app version. On Android, downloaded videos may appear in the Vimeo app's library or in your phone's file manager under a Vimeo folder. If you cannot find them, check your phone's storage settings to see how much space Vimeo is using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download a Vimeo video if the creator has made it private?
No. If a video is private, you cannot watch it unless the creator has shared a private link with you. Even if you have access to watch it, the creator controls whether downloads are allowed. Look for the download button in the player; if it is not there, you cannot download the video.
What if I download a video and then delete it from Vimeo?
The file stays on your computer or phone. Once a video is downloaded to your device, it is stored locally and does not depend on the Vimeo website. You can keep it as long as you want, but remember that you should only download videos the creator has permitted you to download.
Can I download a Vimeo video on my tablet?
Yes, if you use the Vimeo app. Open the app, find the video, tap the menu icon, and select Download if it appears. The process is the same as on a phone. If you are using a web browser on a tablet, look for the download button in the video player, just as you would on a computer.
Why does the download button sometimes disappear?
The creator may have changed the sharing settings after you first watched the video. They can turn downloads on or off at any time. If the button was there before and is now gone, the creator has disabled downloads for that video.
How much storage space does a downloaded Vimeo video use?
It depends on the quality and length. A 10-minute video at 720p typically uses 100 to 300 megabytes. A 1080p version of the same video might use 300 to 600 megabytes. Higher quality and longer videos use more space. Check your device's available storage before downloading multiple videos.