How to Download Douyin Videos on a PC or Mac
By the Calculator.hair team · Updated · 4 min read
Short answer
To download a Douyin video on a PC or Mac, open it on douyin.com, copy the address from the address bar, paste it into a web downloader and choose a file. It normally goes to your Downloads folder. If the video opens in a new tab instead, right-click it and choose Save video as. Private, deleted and region-blocked posts can't be saved.
Key takeaways
- On a computer, you can start from douyin.com, so you don't need the phone app or its share menu.
- A web tool avoids installing desktop software, which removes one common source of malware risk.
- If a video plays in a new tab, right-click it and choose Save video as.
- A computer is a convenient place to keep larger HD files, but the source upload still limits their quality.
What's different about downloading on a computer?
The main difference is where you get the link. On a phone, you normally use the Douyin app's Share menu. On a computer, you can open the video on douyin.com and copy the address directly. Download.fan's download douyin video page says website links work, and lists Windows, Mac and any browser on Linux as supported.
You can also send a link from your phone to your computer. Copy it in the app's Share menu, send it to yourself and paste the text on your computer. Download.fan says the tool extracts the link from Douyin's share text. Use it soon, because short links expire. See our guide to copying the right Douyin share link if you're unsure which address to use.
How do you download a Douyin video on a PC or Mac?
Follow these steps in any desktop browser:
- Open the video on douyin.com.
- Copy the address from your browser's address bar.
- Open the download douyin video page in a new tab.
- Paste the address into the box.
- Click Download and choose a file.
- Check your Downloads folder.
The steps are the same on Windows and Mac. Only the keyboard shortcuts differ: copy and paste use Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V on Windows, and Command+C and Command+V on Mac.
What should you do if the video opens in a new tab?
Sometimes a browser plays a video instead of saving it. This doesn't mean the download failed, as you're looking at the file itself. Download.fan gives a simple fix:
- Right-click the video that's playing.
- Choose Save video as.
- Choose a folder and save the file.
On a Mac trackpad, you can use a two-finger click to right-click. Rename the file while you're saving it if you want to find it easily later, because a downloaded file may not have a descriptive name.
Should you use a web tool, an extension or desktop software?
For occasional downloads, a web tool asks the least of you. Here's how they compare:
| Option | Setup | Main thing to check |
|---|---|---|
| Web tool | None, just a browser | What the site says about files, limits and terms |
| Browser extension | Install and grant permissions | What the extension is allowed to read and change |
| Desktop app | Download and run an installer | Whether you know and trust the source of the installer |
The FTC advises downloading software only from websites you know and trust, and warns that scammers place bogus software ads on social media and search engines. It suggests typing a site's address yourself rather than clicking an ad. Our comparison of online tools, apps and extensions goes into more detail.
Which format works best on a computer?
With a larger screen, MP4 HD is usually the right choice if you have the storage. Download.fan says it provides the best available quality, that many recent videos are 1080p and that some are 2K or 4K if the creator uploaded at that size. A tool can't make a video sharper than its upload.
If you're collecting audio for language study or dance practice, use the download douyin mp3 page instead. The file contains the music, voices and effects as heard in the app. Download.fan lists it at 192 kbps and says Douyin typically stores audio at 96 to 128 kbps, so conversion can't improve the original sound.
Which videos can't you download on a computer?
Using a computer doesn't get around access limits. Download.fan says these won't work:
- Videos from private accounts
- Friends-only videos
- Deleted videos
- Live streams
- Videos blocked outside mainland China, which usually comes down to music licensing and shows an error
If a link stops working, copy a fresh one, since short links expire. Keep in mind that a saved video remains the creator's work. Douyin's user agreement describes a personal, non-commercial license and bars unauthorized copying and distribution without prior written permission. If you plan to publish or edit a clip for others to see, read whether downloading Douyin videos is legal. This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work on Linux?
Download.fan says any browser on Linux works. The same steps apply: copy the video's address, paste it into the tool and save the file.
Do I need a Douyin account on my computer?
Download.fan says you don't need one for its tool, or a Chinese phone number. You do need access to the video's link, so you may need another way to get it if the website asks you to sign in.
Where can I find the file on my computer?
Look in your Downloads folder first. If you chose a different folder with Save video as, the file will be there. You can also open your browser's list of downloads to see where it went.
Can I download a whole Douyin account at once?
Download.fan's steps describe saving one video from one link, and it doesn't describe bulk downloads. Bulk copying also raises bigger questions under Douyin's terms, which bar unauthorized scraping.