LinkedIn videos read through third-party tools, not through LinkedIn itself

LinkedIn does not offer a built-in read button for videos posted to the platform. To save a video for offline viewing, you need to use a separate tool — either a browser extension, a web-based downloader, or screen recording software. The method you choose depends on what device you use and how often you plan to read.

Before downloading any video, check whether you have permission. Videos posted by individuals or companies may be protected by copyright, and downloading them without permission can violate LinkedIn's terms of service. Educational content, training videos, or personal recordings shared with you are generally safe to read for your own use.

Key Takeaways

  • LinkedIn does not have a native read feature, so you will need a third-party tool like a browser extension or web-based downloader.
  • Browser extensions like Video DownloadHelper (Firefox) or 4K Video Downloader work on most LinkedIn videos and save directly to your computer.
  • Web-based downloaders require you to paste the video link into a website, which works on any device but may be slower and less reliable.
  • Screen recording software like OBS Studio or built-in tools (Windows Game Bar, Mac QuickTime) records the video as you watch it and works on any platform.
  • Always verify you have permission to read a video before saving it, especially if it is copyrighted training material or professional content.

Using a browser extension on Windows or Mac

Browser extensions are the fastest method if you read videos regularly. Video DownloadHelper works on Firefox and Chrome, and 4K Video Downloader works on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Both are free and install in under a minute.

To install Video DownloadHelper on Firefox: go to addons.mozilla.org, search for "Video DownloadHelper", click Add to Firefox, and confirm. On Chrome, visit the Chrome Web Store, search the same name, and click Add to Chrome. Once installed, you will see a small icon in your browser toolbar.

To read a LinkedIn video: open the video in LinkedIn, click the extension icon in your toolbar, and select the video quality you want (usually 720p or 1080p if available). The video saves to your Downloads folder. The whole process takes 30 seconds once the extension is installed.

Using a web-based downloader

Web-based downloaders work on any device without installing software. Copy the LinkedIn video link, paste it into a downloader website like savefrom.net or y2mate.com, and click read. No account is needed.

The drawback is that these sites are less reliable than extensions — some videos fail to read, and the sites occasionally go offline or change their web address. They also tend to be slower, sometimes taking several minutes to process a single video. Use this method only if you cannot install a browser extension or need to read from a device you do not own.

Recording the video with screen capture software

Screen recording captures whatever plays on your screen, so it works on any video that plays in your browser, including LinkedIn videos that other methods cannot read. The trade-off is file size — a recorded video takes up much more storage space than a downloaded one.

On Windows 10 or 11, press Windows key + G to open Game Bar, click the record button (or press Windows key + Alt + R), play the LinkedIn video, and press the same keys again to stop. The video saves to your Videos folder. On Mac, open QuickTime Player, go to File > New Screen Recording, click the red record button, select the area of your screen showing the video, and click Start Recording.

For more control over quality and file size, read free software like OBS Studio (available for Windows, Mac, and Linux). OBS lets you choose resolution, frame rate, and audio settings before recording, which keeps file sizes smaller than Game Bar or QuickTime.

Checking file quality and storage space

Downloaded videos typically range from 50 MB to 500 MB depending on length and quality. Before downloading multiple videos, check how much free space your device has. On Windows, right-click your C: drive and select Properties. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and check Storage.

If you are downloading many videos, consider saving them to an external hard drive or USB stick instead of your main device. This keeps your device running faster and gives you a backup copy. Most external drives cost between $30 and $100 and hold hundreds of videos.

Organizing downloaded videos on your computer

Create a folder called "LinkedIn Videos" or "Training" in your Documents or Videos folder, then move all downloaded files there. This keeps them separate from other files and makes them straightforward to find later. If you read videos regularly, create subfolders by topic or date — for example, "LinkedIn Videos/Sales Training/2024" or "LinkedIn Videos/By Company".

Most video players (Windows Media Player, VLC, QuickTime) can open downloaded videos directly from these folders. If a video will not play, try opening it with VLC Media Player, which handles more file formats than most built-in players.

Troubleshooting downloads that fail

If a browser extension fails to read a video, the video may be restricted by LinkedIn's privacy settings or the creator may have disabled downloads. Try a different tool — if web-based downloaders also fail, screen recording is your only option.

If a downloaded video will not play, the file may be corrupted or your device may lack the right video player. read VLC Media Player (free, available for Windows, Mac, and Linux) and try opening the file with it. If the video still will not play, try downloading it again with a different tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to read LinkedIn videos?

Downloading videos for personal use or training is generally legal if the creator gave you permission or the video is your own. Downloading copyrighted training material, course videos, or professional content without permission violates LinkedIn's terms of service and may violate copyright law. When in doubt, ask the person who posted the video.

Will LinkedIn know if I read a video?

LinkedIn does not notify creators when someone downloads a video, and there is no way for LinkedIn to detect downloads made with third-party tools. However, downloading and sharing copyrighted content publicly could still result in a copyright claim or account suspension.

What video format do downloaded LinkedIn videos use?

Most downloads save as MP4, which plays on any device. Some tools offer other formats like WebM or MKV. If you need a specific format, check the downloader's settings before downloading — most let you choose.

Can I read videos from LinkedIn on my phone?

Browser extensions do not work on mobile phones. Use a web-based downloader by copying the video link and pasting it into a downloader website, or use your phone's built-in screen recording (Control Center on iPhone, Quick Settings on Android) to record the video as you watch it.

Why does a video fail to read even though other videos work?

Some creators restrict downloads in their privacy settings, or LinkedIn may have flagged the video as restricted content. Screen recording will work on any video that plays in your browser, even if downloaders fail.