How to download videos on iPhone without apps: Safari + Files + Shortcuts

Downloading videos on iPhone has a reputation for being complicated — and it is partially deserved: iOS has restrictions that do not exist on Android. But since iOS 13, the Files app and native Safari integration make it entirely possible to download and save videos without installing any app from the App Store. This guide explains exactly how.

What you need (you already have it)

• Safari (the browser that comes pre-installed on iPhone). Other browsers like Chrome for iOS have limitations for file downloads.
• Files app (built into iOS since iOS 11, updated in iOS 13). If you cannot see it, search with Spotlight by swiping down on the home screen.
• Shortcuts app (built in since iOS 13, optional but useful for YouTube).
• No third-party apps. Nothing from the App Store.

Method 1: download with Safari and the Files app

This is the main method and the simplest. It works with PullVid for videos from TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, and YouTube.

1. Open the social media app (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X…), go to the video you want to save, and tap Share → Copy link.
2. Open Safari on your iPhone. It is important to use Safari; Chrome for iOS does not handle video downloads the same way.
3. Type or paste pullvid.com into Safari's address bar.
4. Paste the copied link into PullVid's search field and wait for it to process.
5. When the formats appear, tap the one you want to download (recommended: MP4 720p or 1080p).
6. Safari will show a download button at the bottom of the screen or a menu. Tap Download.
7. The video will download to the Files app → Downloads folder.

How to move the video from Files to Photos

Once downloaded in Files, you can open it directly from there, or move it to your camera roll:

1. Open the Files app and go to Downloads.
2. Long-press the video until the context menu appears.
3. Tap Save to Photos. The video will appear in your camera roll.

Method 2: use a Shortcut for YouTube

For downloading YouTube videos specifically, there is a method using the Shortcuts app. You can create or import a shortcut that processes the YouTube link and saves the video. The setup is slightly more technical, but once configured, it works with a single tap from the Share menu inside the YouTube app.

The basic process: in the Shortcuts app, create a new shortcut that uses the 'Get URL from Clipboard' action, passes it to a download service, and saves the result to Files or Photos. Pre-built shortcuts are available from the iOS user community. Search for them on RoutineHub.co or in Apple's Shortcuts subreddit.

iOS limitations you should know about

iOS has restrictions that do not exist on Android:

• Videos are not saved directly to Photos when downloading: they go to the Files app first. From there you can move them manually.
• Chrome for iOS does not support video downloads in the same way as Safari. Use Safari for this process.
• Private videos and DRM-protected content cannot be downloaded. Only public, unprotected content.
• The YouTube app does not always let you copy the link directly from some menus; use the Share button and then 'Copy link'.

Compatible platforms from iPhone

• TikTok: works perfectly with Safari + PullVid. TikTok downloader.
• Instagram: Reels, posts, and IGTV from public accounts. Instagram downloader.
• Facebook: videos from public profiles and pages. Facebook downloader.
• X / Twitter: videos and GIFs from public tweets. X/Twitter downloader.
• YouTube: works with the Safari+PullVid method or with a Shortcut. YouTube downloader.

For a complete breakdown of all download methods on mobile — including Android — see the general mobile guide. Got friends on Android? Share our guide to download videos on Android with them.