Hudl doesn't have a built-in download button, but you can save videos to your device through a few legitimate methods
Hudl is designed to stream video rather than store it locally, so there's no official "download" feature in the app or website. However, if you have permission to view a video on Hudl, you can save it to your phone or computer using screen recording, the Hudl mobile app's offline feature (on iOS), or by requesting the video file directly from your coach or team administrator. The method that works depends on what device you're using and what access level you have to the video.
Before you try any of these methods, understand that Hudl videos are usually owned by your school or team, not by you. Downloading a video doesn't change that ownership. If you're downloading for personal study or to share with a coach, that's straightforward. If you're thinking about sharing it publicly or with people outside your team, check with your coach first — most teams have rules about that.
Key Takeaways
- Hudl's iOS app has an offline viewing feature that lets you download videos to your phone when you're connected to Wi-Fi, but the Android app does not.
- Screen recording on any device (phone or computer) captures the video as it plays, though the quality depends on your device's recording resolution.
- Asking your coach or team administrator to export the video file directly is the fastest way to get a high-quality copy if you have a legitimate reason.
- Downloaded videos remain tied to Hudl's terms of service — they're for your personal use and study, not for public sharing or redistribution.
Using the Hudl iOS app's offline feature
If you're on an iPhone or iPad, the Hudl app lets you download videos for offline viewing. Open the video you want to save, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, and select "Save for Offline." The app will download the video to your device — this works best on Wi-Fi because video files are large. Once it's downloaded, you can watch it without an internet connection.
The offline video stays on your device until you manually delete it or until Hudl removes it from the server (which happens if your team or school deletes it from their account). You can manage your offline videos by going to the app's settings and looking for a "Downloads" or "Offline" section. Keep in mind that this feature is only available on iOS; the Android Hudl app does not have offline download capability.
Screen recording on your phone or computer
Screen recording works on any device and captures the video as it plays on your screen. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right to open Control Center, press and hold the record button, tap "Microphone Audio" to include sound, then tap "Start Recording." Play the Hudl video and let it record. When you're done, swipe down again and tap the red recording indicator to stop. The video saves to your Photos app.
On Android, the built-in screen recorder is usually in your quick settings menu (swipe down twice from the top). Tap "Screen Recorder" or "Record Screen," choose your audio and quality settings, then tap "Start." Play the video and stop recording when it's done. On Windows or Mac, use the built-in tools: Windows has the Game Bar (press Windows key + G), and Mac has Screenshot (Command + Shift + 5, then choose "Screen Recording").
Screen recording quality depends on your device's resolution. A phone records at 1080p or 1440p at best; a computer can record at higher resolutions. The file size will be large, so make sure you have enough storage space. This method works for any video you can view, but the quality is limited by what your screen displays.
Requesting the video file from your coach or team
If you need a high-quality copy of a Hudl video, ask your coach or team administrator directly. Most teams have the ability to export videos from Hudl in formats like MP4 or MOV. Your coach can download the file and send it to you via email, cloud storage, or a file-sharing service. This is the fastest way to get a professional-quality video without compression from screen recording.
Coaches and administrators have more control over Hudl videos than regular players do, so they can often export in different formats and resolutions. If you're downloading for film study, training, or to send to a college coach, this is the method to use. Just explain what you need it for, and most coaches will be happy to help.
Understanding Hudl's terms and what you can do with downloaded videos
Hudl's terms of service say that videos are for personal, non-commercial use. That means you can download a video to study your own performance, share it with a coach, or use it for training purposes. You cannot post it on social media, sell it, or share it with people outside your team without permission from whoever owns the video (usually your school or team).
If you download a video and then leave your team or school, you should delete it from your device. The video doesn't belong to you, and keeping it after you're no longer part of the organization violates Hudl's terms. If you're unsure whether something you want to do with a downloaded video is allowed, ask your coach or athletic director.
Why Hudl doesn't have a simple download button
Hudl restricts downloads to protect the intellectual property of schools and teams. Video footage of games and practices is valuable — it's used for recruiting, training, and analysis. If anyone could download and share videos freely, teams would lose control over who sees their strategies and player performance data. The restrictions also protect player privacy, especially for younger athletes.
This is why the official download feature only exists on iOS and requires you to be logged into your Hudl account. It's a middle ground: you can access videos offline for personal use, but Hudl can still track who downloaded what and remove access if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Hudl videos on Android?
The Hudl app for Android does not have an offline download feature. Your options are screen recording or asking your coach to export the video file for you. Screen recording works on any Android phone and saves the video to your device's gallery.
What if I want to download a video but don't have permission to view it?
You can't. If a video is private or restricted on Hudl, you won't be able to access it through any of these methods. Contact your coach or the video owner and ask for access. Once they grant it, you can download using the methods above.
Will downloading a Hudl video reduce its quality?
Screen recording reduces quality because it captures what your screen displays. Requesting the file directly from your coach preserves the original quality. The iOS offline feature maintains good quality since it downloads the full video file.
Can I share a downloaded Hudl video with my parents or friends?
Sharing with parents is usually fine if it's your own performance. Sharing with friends outside your team depends on your team's policy — ask your coach first. Public sharing or posting online is not allowed under Hudl's terms.
What happens to downloaded videos if I delete the Hudl app?
Videos downloaded to your phone's storage (through screen recording or the iOS offline feature) stay on your device even if you delete the app. Videos downloaded through the iOS offline feature may be stored in the app's folder and could be removed if you delete the app — check your phone's storage settings to be sure.