FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What sites does TrueStream support?

TrueStream supports over 1,000 content platforms through yt-dlp. This includes YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter/X, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Dailymotion, Twitch, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and many more. The extraction engine updates dynamically, so new sites and fixes arrive without requiring an app update.

Why does the app need to download FFmpeg and aria2c on first launch?

FFmpeg handles media processing — merging separate video and audio streams (DASH), converting formats, embedding thumbnails and subtitles, and splitting chapters. aria2c accelerates downloads by fetching video fragments in parallel (up to 16 connections at once on WiFi). Both are static binaries that TrueStream downloads from its CDN, verifies with SHA-256 checksums, and stores locally. You can also point to custom binary paths in Settings if you prefer to provide your own copies.

Is TrueStream available on iOS?

Not currently. TrueStream runs on Android, Windows, and Linux. iOS support is not planned at this stage because the app relies on a Python engine that can't be embedded on iOS in the same way.

Can I use TrueStream without an internet connection?

You need an internet connection to fetch media information and perform downloads. However, once a download completes, the file is stored locally on your device and you can play it offline anytime from the Library tab.

How do I update yt-dlp within TrueStream?

yt-dlp updates automatically in the background. On every launch, the engine checks for the latest version and applies updates by injecting the updated module into Python's module path. You can also trigger a manual check from Settings under the engine section.

Why are some videos only available in lower quality?

Video quality depends on what the source platform makes available for a given video. Some factors that can limit quality:

• The uploader may have only published a lower-resolution version.
• Age-restricted or region-locked content may have restricted streams.
• YouTube may throttle extraction without a valid PO Token — TrueStream generates these automatically, but certain videos may still be limited.

You can check available formats by pasting the URL and opening the format picker.

Can I download entire playlists or channels?

Yes. Paste a playlist or channel URL into the Home screen input, and TrueStream detects it automatically. You can choose to download all items or pick specific videos from the playlist details screen. The batch import tool also lets you paste a list of individual URLs at once.

How does cookie-based authentication work?

Some platforms require authentication to access age-restricted or private content. TrueStream includes a built-in WebView browser that you can use to log in to a site. When you're logged in, the app captures the session cookies and passes them to the download engine. You can find this option under Cookie WebView in Settings. Cookies are stored locally and never sent anywhere outside the app.

Is my data private?

TrueStream is anonymous by default. There's no account system, no telemetry, and no ads. Cookies and authentication are entirely optional — you only use them if you need access to restricted content, and they stay on your device. The app never phones home beyond checking for binary and yt-dlp updates.

The app shows an error about missing Python engine — what should I do?

This error usually means the Python engine files weren't bundled correctly with your installation.

• Android: Make sure you downloaded the official APK from the releases page. Third-party builds may miss the Chaquopy Python bundle.
• Windows/Linux: Check that the truestream_engine directory is present inside the extracted release folder. If it's missing, re-download the release bundle and extract it again.

If the problem persists, try deleting the app data and running the bootstrap process again from scratch. You can also open an issue on the GitHub repository for help.

How do I contribute to TrueStream?

TrueStream is open source and welcomes contributions. Here's how to get started:

1. Fork the repository at github.com/OnlyXianzo/TrueStream.
2. Create a feature branch from main.
3. Follow the code style guidelines in contributing.md.
4. Run flutter analyze, flutter test, and pytest engine/tests/ -v before committing.
5. Submit a pull request targeting main.

You can also contribute by reporting bugs, suggesting features, or improving documentation. Check the contributing guide for details.