How to bulk download HeyGen videos without creating a file-management mess
The download is only half the job. Choose the right method for your library size, then preserve filenames, caption variants, and enough metadata to identify every MP4 later.
For a few videos, use HeyGen’s built-in download control. For repeatable developer workflows, use HeyGen’s official CLI or API. For a large one-off library download without scripting, use a browser extension that lists completed videos through the API, downloads them in sequence, and exports a CSV manifest.
Choose by volume and repeatability
| Method | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| HeyGen web app | A handful of known videos | Simple, but repetitive at library scale |
| Official CLI/API | Developers and automated pipelines | Most control; requires terminal or code |
| Bulk-download extension | Creators, marketers, and agencies doing a large export | No code; requires API access and Chrome download permission |
Do not choose solely by today’s count. If this is a weekly client-delivery process, repeatability and a manifest matter even at 15 videos. If you only need two finals, automation is unnecessary.
Method 1: use HeyGen’s built-in download
HeyGen’s current help instructions describe two routes: open Projects and use the three-dot menu on a video, or open the video and use the download control in the upper-right area. Depending on the video and plan, the share/download interface can expose the full video, audio, or caption file; higher-resolution options may be plan-dependent.
- Open the completed project.
- Choose the final resolution or asset variant you need.
- Download it and rename the file immediately if the browser filename is ambiguous.
- Repeat for the small set.
This is the safest default when you need visual confirmation before each download. It is slow for a large archive because each item requires navigation and an explicit choice.
Method 2: use HeyGen’s official CLI or API
HeyGen’s developer documentation provides a CLI download command and an API endpoint that returns a paginated video list. The list response can include a video ID, title, creation/completion timestamps, standard and captioned video URLs, subtitle URL, duration, folder ID, language, and processing errors.
This method is strongest when the download is part of a larger pipeline. A script can iterate through pagination, skip unfinished records, select a standard or captioned asset, sanitize filenames, retry transient failures, and write a manifest.
- Read the API key from an environment secret, not source control.
- Follow pagination until the API indicates there are no more records.
- Download only records with usable completed-file URLs.
- Rate-limit requests and retry with a cap rather than looping forever.
- Write each video ID to the manifest so reruns can skip completed work.
If you do not already use a command line, the setup and secret handling can cost more time than it saves. In that case, a narrowly scoped extension is a more approachable interface to the same library data.
Method 3: use a bulk-download Chrome extension
A purpose-built extension can fetch the completed-video list with your HeyGen API key, handle pagination, and queue downloads through Chrome. Look for a tool that clearly explains where the key is stored, where requests are sent, what permissions it needs, and whether it produces a metadata file.
- Create or retrieve an API key from your HeyGen account settings. Availability or activation requirements can change, so use the instructions shown in your account.
- Paste the key into the extension and connect.
- Review the number of completed videos found before starting.
- Allow Chrome to download multiple files if the browser asks.
- Keep Chrome open until the queue finishes.
- Save the CSV library export beside the downloaded folder.
Browser settings, endpoint security software, storage space, sleep mode, and a closed window can interrupt a large run. Download in a stable desktop session and verify the folder before disconnecting the API key.
Before downloading: decide what “complete” means
A library can contain drafts, failures, standard videos, captioned variants, standalone subtitles, thumbnails, GIF previews, and translated outputs. Decide what belongs in the archive before starting.
- Master: the highest-quality standard video your plan and workflow require.
- Accessible version: captioned video and/or standalone SRT when available.
- Metadata: video ID, title, dates, duration, language, source folder, and download status.
- Excluded: drafts, failed renders, obsolete tests, or low-resolution previews unless there is a business reason to retain them.
Also check local free space. A rough estimate based on three representative files is more useful than guessing: average their sizes, multiply by the planned count, and add at least 20 percent for captioned variants and retry duplicates.
Verify before you call it a backup
- Compare the number of successful file records with the expected completed-video count.
- Sort the local folder by size and investigate zero-byte or unusually small files.
- Play a sample from the oldest, middle, and newest date ranges.
- Open captioned and standard variants separately.
- Confirm the manifest maps filenames back to HeyGen video IDs and titles.
- Copy the verified folder to a second storage location if it is a true backup.
A completed browser queue is a transfer result, not a backup policy. Continue with the HeyGen library backup workflow for folder design and restore checks, or use the Batch Mode delivery checklist for recurring campaigns.