HLS Downloader
HLSMate finds HLS playlists on a page, downloads the segments in your browser, and saves the result as one MP4 file.
What the HLS downloader does
- Finds HLS playlists that a page loads, including variants with several resolutions.
- Downloads the segments and merges them into one MP4 in the correct order.
- Brings in a separate audio track when a site delivers video and audio as two playlists.
- Saves MP4, WebM, and FLV files directly, without re-encoding them.
How to use it (4 steps)
- Install HLSMate in Chrome or Edge.
- Open the page and play the video for a few seconds so the player requests the playlist.
- Open the extension popup and pick the HLS resource you want.
- Choose a resolution and, if offered, an audio track, then start loading and save when it finishes.
What HLS and M3U8 are
HLS splits a video into short segments, usually MPEG-TS or fragmented MP4, and lists them in an M3U8 playlist. The player reads the playlist and fetches the segments one after another, which is why a normal "save as" only gives you the small playlist file instead of the video.
HLSMate reads the playlist, fetches the segments in parallel, and writes them into a single MP4 container. Nothing is uploaded anywhere: the loading and merging happen inside your browser.
Supported cases
- Video on demand where the full playlist is available up front.
- Live streams, limited to the part that is still reachable when you start.
- fragmented MP4 HLS (EXT-X-MAP) as well as classic TS segments.
- Separate audio renditions, merged back into the video file.
What does not work, and what to keep in mind
- DRM-protected streams are not supported, and HLSMate does not try to bypass them.
- AES-128 or SAMPLE-AES encrypted playlists are rejected with a clear error instead of producing a broken file.
- Sites that build their own delivery pipeline, such as YouTube, are not supported and the popup will tell you so.
- Only save material you have the right to keep. Copyright and each site's terms still apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I save just the M3U8 file?
The playlist alone is only a text index. HLSMate downloads the referenced segments and merges them, so you get a playable MP4.
Does merging lower the video quality?
No. The segments are merged without re-encoding, so the result keeps the bitrate and resolution that the stream provided.
What if the page offers several resolutions?
Every variant that the playlist advertises is listed on the downloader page, so you can pick 1080p, 720p, or whatever else the site publishes.
Can I stop a long download?
You can close the tab at any point; nothing is written to disk until you press save. Loading again later starts from scratch.