Canvas Video Downloader
Save supported Canvas lecture videos to your computer and watch them offline. A free Chrome extension for recordings you are already allowed to watch.
Free to install and use. Works in Chrome on desktop. Support depends on the video player your school uses; DRM-protected videos are not supported.
How the downloader works
No pasting links into a website: your Canvas course is private, so the extension works inside the browser where you are already signed in. For the full walkthrough, see how to download videos from Canvas.
- Step 1
Open an authorized lecture
Go to the Canvas page and start the recording you can watch.
- Step 2
Identify the supported video
The extension detects the video the player is loading and lists it.
- Step 3
Save and verify
Download it, then open the file and check the duration and sound.
Choose an installation option
The Canvas Video Downloader Chrome extension is the fastest way to start, and it is free. It installs from the Chrome Web Store; your browser shows the permissions it needs before you accept. See all installation options, including the desktop app, which is free too.
Install for ChromeSupported players and formats
Canvas shows video through Canvas Studio, Kaltura, Panopto or an embedded file, and the video itself is either a single MP4 or an HLS stream of many segments. Which combinations have been tested is recorded on the page below, with the limits.
Check supported video players →Output files and pricing
Some recordings are a single file saved as is; streams are fetched in pieces and joined into one video file for you. Either way you end up with a normal video file on your computer. Saving lectures is free; optional paid plans add extras such as transcripts and summaries.
See optional plans →Frequently asked questions
Which Canvas videos can Canvas Video Downloader save?
Supported lecture recordings that you are signed in and authorized to watch, such as those delivered through Canvas Studio, Kaltura, Panopto or an embedded video file. Support varies by how your institution configured the player, so check the supported video players page before you rely on it.
Why does my Canvas video have no download button?
The uploader, course administrator or video platform may have turned downloads off. Check the native options first and ask the uploader if you need the file. The guide explains what to do next.
Can I watch the lecture offline after saving it?
Yes. A saved file is a normal video file that plays in any media player with no internet connection. Open it and check the duration and sound after it finishes.
Is Canvas Video Downloader free?
Yes. The extension and the desktop app are free to install and free to use for saving lectures. Optional paid plans add extras such as transcripts and summaries; what they include is on the plans page.
Does it get around restrictions or DRM?
No. It saves recordings you are already allowed to watch. Videos protected by DRM or restricted by the source are not supported.
Get started
Install the free extension, then open a lecture you can watch. Stuck? Get help with a download.