Install Video Downloader on Linux with Flatpak

Install Video Downloader from Flathub when you want a graphical way to save supported web video or audio without assembling a yt-dlp command. The current Flathub application ID is com.github.unrud.VideoDownloader, and the app uses yt-dlp for site extraction behind its interface.

Choose the Flatpak build

Flathub is the maintained distribution path to start with because it keeps the app and its runtime together across distributions that support Flatpak. If you want a command-line workflow, use yt-dlp on Linux instead. It gives you format selectors, automation, and scripting control that a graphical app deliberately hides.

For a one-URL task, paste a supported media URL, select Video or Audio, choose an offered format, then save the result to a folder you can find again.

Install Flatpak and add Flathub

Install Flatpak from your distribution first. The Flatpak setup instructions list the package command for each supported distribution, so use that page when your package manager differs from the example below.

sudo apt install flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

The first command installs the Flatpak client. The second adds Flathub only when it is missing, which avoids replacing an existing remote configuration.

Sign out and back in if your desktop does not show newly installed Flatpak applications straight away. You can also launch the app from a terminal, which bypasses an application-menu refresh.

Install Video Downloader from Flathub

Run the application install command with the exact ID. Flatpak shows the runtime and permission prompts before it downloads anything, so read those prompts before confirming.

flatpak install flathub com.github.unrud.VideoDownloader

I checked the configured Flathub remote on this refresh and confirmed that it lists com.github.unrud.VideoDownloader. That check verifies the application ID, while the app still downloads the current build for your system during installation.

You can confirm that Flatpak registered the app before opening it. This is useful when the desktop launcher has not appeared yet.

flatpak list --app | grep com.github.unrud.VideoDownloader

A matching line means the application is installed for the current user. No output usually means the install did not finish, the app was installed for a different user, or the application ID was entered incorrectly.

Open the app and save a download

Launch Video Downloader from your application menu or run the command below. The Flatpak ID after run tells Flatpak which sandboxed application to start.

flatpak run com.github.unrud.VideoDownloader

Copy the address of a page that hosts media you are allowed to download, then paste it into the app. Use the Audio tab for an audio-only file, or the Video tab when you need the visual stream. The service’s terms, copyright rules, and the creator’s permission still apply.

For an audio download, choose Audio, paste the URL, select an available format, and select Download. Choose a dedicated destination when you want downloaded files separate from browser downloads.

For a video download, switch to Video before pasting the URL. Available resolutions depend on the source page, so use the list the app presents instead of expecting every site to offer the same formats.

Fix common Flatpak issues

If Flatpak says that flathub is not a remote, add it again with the remote-add command above. If the application cannot extract a particular page, update it first because the bundled yt-dlp extractor needs current site support.

flatpak update com.github.unrud.VideoDownloader

If you need a different graphical downloader, compare Parabolic’s Flatpak workflow before moving your saved files. For another packaging choice, Tube2Go on Linux explains its Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage options.

Move to yt-dlp in the terminal when a site requires cookies, authentication, or an extractor option that Video Downloader does not expose. Choose AudioTube when you want music playback instead of a saved file.

Remove Video Downloader

Remove the Flatpak app with its application ID. This removes the application, while Flatpak may keep shared runtimes that other installed apps still need.

flatpak uninstall com.github.unrud.VideoDownloader

Keep the Flatpak remote if you use other applications from Flathub. Remove only the app when this is the one program you no longer want.

Install from Flathub, confirm the application ID, then save only media you have permission to keep. That gives you the shortest path from a supported URL to a local file.