OneTap SaveHow to Save an M3U8 (HLS) Video as MP4
Updated: 2026-11-04
An .m3u8 file is not a video. It is a playlist that points to hundreds of short video pieces (HLS streaming). Downloading the .m3u8 link gives you a tiny text file — the video itself has to be fetched piece by piece and joined.
Save an HLS video as MP4
- Install OneTap Save for Chrome or Edge and pin it to the toolbar.
- Open the page and start the video. The page loads the playlist, and OneTap Save detects it.
- Click the OneTap Save icon and pick a quality. HLS streams often offer several.
- Click Download. OneTap Save downloads the pieces in order, joins them and saves one MP4 file. If the connection drops, it continues where it stopped.
When it doesn’t work
- DRM: streams protected by DRM (most paid streaming services) can’t be saved.
- Live streams are not supported; only finished videos.
- If the stream needs a login, log in on the site first, then play the video.
More reasons are in why a video won’t download.
FAQ
Do I need FFmpeg or another program?
No. Everything happens inside the browser extension; the result is a normal MP4 file.
Can I paste an M3U8 link?
OneTap Save works with the video the page is playing. Open the page and play the video instead of pasting the link.
Only save videos and images you own or have permission to use, and follow each site’s terms. OneTap Save does not bypass DRM or paywalls.
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