Need one downloader that copes with Instagram, Reddit, TikTok and YouTube instead of a separate shortcut for each? EMDownloader covers more than twenty services from a single Share Sheet entry, using public Cobalt servers to fetch the media.
Inside the shortcut
EMDownloader is built on Cobalt, an open-source media downloading tool that runs on public servers called instances. When you share a post to the shortcut, it sends the link to a Cobalt instance, gets back the video or photo, and hands it to you for saving.
The clever part is how it deals with servers going down. Public Cobalt instances come and go, so the shortcut can switch to a different one without you installing an update. Version 2.0.0 went further and moved to an instance the author describes as reliable, which also made the shortcut faster and less buggy.
Supported services
The author lists these, with a note that availability can change from day to day:
- Bilibili, Bluesky, Dailymotion, Facebook and Instagram
- Loom, OK, Pinterest, Newgrounds and Reddit
- Rutube, Snapchat, SoundCloud, Streamable and TikTok
- Tumblr, Twitch clips, Twitter (X), Vimeo, VK and YouTube
You can check what’s currently working from inside the shortcut itself.
How to install
Make sure Show in Share Sheet is enabled in the shortcut’s details.
How to use it
Open a post in the app you’re browsing, tap Share and choose EMDownloader. The download starts straight away. There’s no menu of quality settings to wade through first, which is the point; it’s meant for quick saves rather than fine-tuned exports.
For a service that only gives you a link, such as a website on the desktop that you’ve copied over, open the link in Safari and share it from there.
Where saved files end up
The shortcut offers the file at the end of the run, and iOS will ask for permission the first time something needs to be written. Read those prompts and allow the location you actually want, since a declined permission is the usual reason a finished download seems to vanish.
Troubleshooting
A service suddenly stops working. Cobalt support varies, and some platforms block it from time to time. Check the in-shortcut service list before assuming the shortcut is broken.
Downloads are slow or fail on cellular. Each request goes through a Cobalt server, so a weak connection affects every step.
Quick answers
Is Cobalt safe to use?
It’s an open-source project, and the shortcut only sends it the link you shared. Your accounts and passwords aren’t involved.
Does it work with private posts?
Expect it to work with public posts only. A Cobalt server can’t see content that needs your login to view.
First time adding a shortcut from a website? Here's what each prompt means.
