Download With an External Download Manager (2024)

Which external download managers are supported?

• Internet Download Manager (IDMan)
  • Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/.../ijagoebbhgpklaaliglekagdjpigbcgm
  • Opera: https://addons.opera.com/.../download-with-internet-download-manager-idm/
  • Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/.../download-with-idm/ (replaced by download-by project)
  • Edge https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/...
• Free Download Manager (FDM)
  • Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/.../jlodlegnpjplclncjkgolcmdhjmlokna
  • Opera: https://addons.opera.com/.../download-with-free-download-manager-fdm/
  • Firefox https://addons.mozilla.org/.../download-with-fdm/
• JDownloader
  • Chrome https://chrome.google.com/webstore/.../jfpmbokkdeapjommajdfmmheiiakdlgo
  • Opera https://addons.opera.com/.../download-with-jdownloader/
  • Firefox https://addons.mozilla.org/.../download-with-jdownloader/
  • Edge https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/...
• Download Accelerator Plus (DAP)
  • Chrome https://chrome.google.com/webstore/.../hlbdmmifbcfpccdnoknhdfcifiglaihb
  • Opera https://addons.opera.com/.../download-with-download-accelerator-plus-dap/
  • Firefox https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/dap/
• GNU Wget downloader
  • Chrome https://chrome.google.com/webstore/.../jplcfomghgpjlgglocndioeceojhoika
  • Opera https://addons.opera.com/.../download-with-wget/
  • Firefox https://addons.mozilla.org/.../download-with-gnu-wget/
• FlashGet
  • Chrome https://chrome.google.com/webstore/.../gecfhmlaldelfoeahjahajoooenmnlnd
  • Firefox https://addons.mozilla.org/.../download-with-flashget/
• Aria2
  • Chrome https://chrome.google.com/webstore/.../jakcapoibgmjnghonlnjaooepccllgic
  • Firefox https://addons.mozilla.org/.../download-with-aria2/

recommended The "Background Removal" extension for Chrome, and Edge browsers.

This extension uses an LLM library to accurately identify and remove backgrounds from images, enabling users to replace them with new ones. By leveraging the WebGPU implementation, AI operations are executed offline within the browser, ensuring user privacy and speed. Read more here.

recommended The "Magnifying Glass" extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers.

Use this extension to instantly magnify objects under the cursor with a single click. Customize the scaling and lens size to your preference. Read more here.

What is the "Download with Internet Download Manager (IDM)" extension, and how does it work?

The "Download with Internet Download Manager (IDM)" extension allows users to send downloading jobs to the IDM download manager (known for its fast downloading speeds on Windows OS). Enable the extension from the action button to use it in the interruption mode, then proceed with the usual download process. Your downloads will be directed to IDM once your browser resolves the link. Please note that you need to install a minimal native client for this extension to send links to an external executable. The native client is required for the extension to communicate with your operating system.

Here is a short video tutorial on how to setup the extension: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXNV2qlO5Ow

What is "Download with JDownloader" extension and how does it work?

The JDownloader is a cross-platform download manager that is Java-based. This extension integrates the JDownloader with your browser. Similar to other "Download with X" extensions, this extension operates in two modes. The first mode is the interruption mode (aggressive mode). To use this mode, click the action button to enable the download observer and proceed with downloading the file as usual. Once the browser initiates a download, the extension pauses the built-in download manager and sends the resolved link to the JDownloader. The second mode is the nonaggressive mode. In this mode, there is a right-click context menu over links. Clicking on this item will send the link to the JDownloader. In this method, the external download manager is responsible for resolving the actual downloading link.

Note that this extension uses the HTTP protocol to send download links to the JDownloader application (per JDownloader documentation). Please ensure that http://127.0.0.1:9666/ is accessible.

Additionally, note that JDownloader supports cookies. By default, the extension does not send cookies to JDownloader. If the downloading server requires cookies to allow downloading, enable this feature on the options page.

Here is a short video tutorial on how to setup the extension: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSnZp2wflTc

What is "Download with Download Accelerator Plus (DAP)" extension and how does it work?

The DAP download manager is a well-known download manager known for its speed improvement. Like other "Download with X" extensions, there are two methods to send downloads to DAP. The recommended method is to use the right-click context menu, but you can also activate the action button (toolbar button).

Please note that DAP uses an HTTP server to communicate with other applications. It uses the 10029 port to receive messages from other executables. Please ensure that http://127.0.0.1:10029 is accessible.

It is important to note that this extension only serves as a connector that redirects downloads to DAP. It is not the actual downloader. Therefore, you need to install the DAP download manager on your operating system for the extension to work.

What is "Download with Wget" extension and how does it work?

This extension allows you to redirect all your downloading jobs to Wget, a powerful command-line download manager. You can activate the extension from the action button or selectively send downloading jobs to Wget from the right-click context menu.

Please note that Wget supports cookies. If you want to allow the extension to pass cookies to Wget, enable this feature on the options page.

It is important to note that Wget is a command-line downloader. This extension opens a new terminal, then starts the Wget downloader, allowing you to monitor the progress. The terminal application used depends on your operating system. For example, on Windows, "cmd.exe" is used. You can change the terminal application from the options page.

What is the difference between sending jobs from right-click context menu and activating the toolbar button?

When sending a job from the right-click context menu, only the link and referrer (and cookies, if supported by the download manager) are sent to the download manager, whereas activating the toolbar button waits for the browser to resolve the final URL and filename. The extension then pauses the downloading job. The external download manager then receives the resolved URL, as well as the referrer and cookies. While the second method is more reliable, the first method is recommended as it is less aggressive. If starting a job from the right-click context menu does not work, temporarily activate the action button and proceed as usual to send the job to the external download manager. Once the job is submitted, turn the action button off again.

What is the purpose of the native client, and why is it necessary for some browser extensions to work?

The native client acts as a bridge between browser extensions and external executables, which allows them to communicate with each other. This bridge is necessary because browser extensions are limited to the browser and do not have direct access to system-level APIs (to prevent abuse). The native client, a small application that understands the browser's communication language, allows commands from the extension to any external executable. For certain extensions, such as those used for downloading, a native client facilitates communication with the external download manager. The native client used by these extensions is a minimal NodeJS client (the native client's code is in JavaScript language).

How can I install the native client?

Native client is hosted on https://github.com/belaviyo/native-client/releases. Based on your operating system, select a native host and download it into a local directory. Now extract the content and run the "installer" script. If for any reason you have decided to remove the native integration, you can use the "uninstaller" script. This script will remove all the required generated files and registries from your operating system. There are two video tutorials you can follow as a guide:

• Windows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18jAqTXBiZA
• Linux and Mac: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB4Bj_APg4g

Please note that the native client does not require administrator permission to work.

How does the "Download with X" integration differ from the integration provided by external download managers?

External download managers often have browser integration, which is usually very aggressive and cannot be easily disabled. On the other hand, "Download with X" extensions offer per-user-request integration, allowing users to enable or disable the integration as needed. Additionally, "Download with X" extensions use a non-persistent background, meaning they do not consume system resources while inactive.

How can I use a "Download with X" extension?

There is a short video tutorial on how to use these tools below this FAQ. Basically, you need to follow this list:

• Download the actual external downloader application from the official provider website (for instance if you want to download with IDM, you will need to have IDM in your operation system. This add-on is just the connector, not the actual downloader!)
• Install the proper "Download with X" add-on
• Open any website with links
• Right-click on a link and select the context menu item
• You will be redirected to a new page providing instruction on how to install a small native client (browser to native-side connector)
• Once the native client is installed, click on the "Check Connection" button to make sure native integration works fine.
• That's it!

There are two methods for sending your downloads to an external download manager. The first is to right-click on a link and select the context menu item. The second is to turn on the action button and begin a download by left-clicking the downloadable link as usual. Once the browser resolves the link, the extension pauses the downloading job, and instead, it sends the link to your external download manager.

Why does the download behavior differ between Chrome and Firefox with the extension? In Chrome, the download goes straight to the download manager, while in Firefox, it starts to save in the browser as well as with the extension.

The reason for the difference in behavior between Chrome and Firefox is that Firefox currently does not support the downloads.onDeterminingFilename API. Once this API is supported, the download behavior in Firefox will be the same as in Chrome. In the meantime, it is recommended to use the right-click context menu to send download jobs to the external download manager.