Skip to content

Cookies Guide

Jump to bottom
Andrew edited this page Jul 30, 2026 · 4 revisions

This guide explains how to use cookies in ytDownloader to download age-restricted, private, or members-only content from YouTube and other supported sites.

📌 Why Use Cookies?

Some videos or media content on sites like YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook require authentication or age verification. Passing your logged-in cookies allows yt-dlp (the engine powering ytDownloader) to access:

  • Age-restricted videos (18+ YouTube videos)
  • Private or unlisted videos that you have permission to view
  • Members-only or subscriber content
  • Playlists and media behind logins

⚙️ Cookie Options in ytDownloader

ytDownloader provides two flexible ways to use cookies:

Option 1: Import Cookies from Browser

This is the easiest method. ytDownloader can directly import session cookies from your installed browser.

  1. Open Preferences $\rightarrow$ Advanced Tools.
  2. Set Select cookies source to Browser.
  3. Select your installed browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, Safari, Vivaldi).
  4. Make sure you are logged into your target site in that browser.

ℹ️ Note: On some operating systems, browser cookie storage may be encrypted or require browser shutdown before yt-dlp can read the cookies. Also for Windows, only Firefox browser works.

Option 2: Netscape Formatted Cookie Files (Text / Blocks)

If browser import does not work or you prefer manual control, you can paste Netscape-formatted cookies directly.

How to Export Netscape Cookies:

  1. Install a browser extension for exporting cookies in Netscape format:
  2. Visit the website (e.g., youtube.com) and ensure you are logged in.
  3. Open the extension and copy your cookies in Netscape HTTP Cookie File format.
image

Adding Cookie Blocks in ytDownloader:

  1. Open Preferences $\rightarrow$ Select cookies source $\rightarrow$ File (Netscape format).
  2. Click + Add Cookie Block.
  3. Paste your Netscape formatted cookie text into the text area.
  4. ytDownloader saves your cookies and uses them later when downloading files.
  5. You can add multiple separate blocks for different websites or accounts and easily remove any block with the Remove button.

🔒 Security & Privacy

  • Local Storage Only: Your cookie data is stored strictly on your local machine and used only when passing parameters to yt-dlp.
  • Restrictive File Permissions: Saved cookies.txt files are written with restricted file permissions (0600) so other users on your operating system cannot read them.
  • Never Share Your Cookies: Session cookies contain secret login tokens. Never share your Netscape cookie text or cookies.txt file with anyone.

❓ Troubleshooting

  • Error: Could not extract cookies: Make sure the browser is closed or try using the Netscape format file option instead.
  • Still getting Sign-in required error: Ensure your cookies are fresh and expired sessions have been updated by re-exporting.

Clone this wiki locally