- You can open a TeraBox share link and save the file in a web browser, without installing the app or creating an account.
- A web-based downloader only needs the public share link, and it works the same way on phones and computers.
- Free TeraBox accounts come with ads and slower downloads, so the official app is still the better choice for some jobs.
TeraBox gives every free account 1TB of cloud storage. Google Drive offers 15GB and Dropbox offers 2GB, so it is easy to see why TeraBox has become a common way to pass around large videos. Its links now turn up in WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels and email.
Opening one of those links is less convenient. On a phone, the share page usually asks you to install the app or sign in before it lets you save anything. That is a lot of effort for someone who wants a single file. If your phone is short on space, or you would rather not open another account, there is a quicker route.
How to save a file from a TeraBox link in your browser
A web-based TeraBox video downloader reads the public share link and returns a direct download for the file behind it. You do not sign in, and nothing is installed on your device. The steps are the same on Android, iPhone, Windows and Mac.
- Copy the TeraBox link you were sent. If the file is in your own account, open the TeraBox app, tap Share and then copy the link.
- Open the downloader in any browser and paste the link into the box.
- Tap Download and wait for the file to appear. If the link points to a folder, each file inside it is listed separately.
- Play the preview if you want to check that it is the right video, then save the file to your device.
Quick tip: Video files are large. Check the file size before you start, and use Wi-Fi if your mobile data pack is limited.
Because the tool fetches the file that was uploaded, a video should arrive at its original resolution instead of the compressed version shown in the free player. The same method works for photos, PDFs and ZIP archives shared through TeraBox.
Where to find the file after it downloads
The file goes wherever your browser normally saves downloads, which differs by device.
- Android: Open the Files app and look in the Downloads folder. Videos saved there also show up in your gallery app after a few seconds.
- iPhone and iPad: Safari saves downloads to the Downloads folder in the Files app. To move a video into Photos, open it in Files, tap the Share button and choose Save Video.
- Windows and Mac: Look in the Downloads folder, or press Ctrl+J on Windows to open your browser’s download list.
How to save a whole TeraBox folder
Many TeraBox links point to a folder with dozens of files in it. In that case the files appear as a list, each with its own download button, so you can pick the ones you want and leave the rest. This is useful when you only need one episode or one document out of a large collection, because you do not spend data on files you will never open.
If you do want everything, download the files one at a time. Starting many large downloads at once makes each of them slower and raises the chance that one of them fails.
What to do if the link does not work
Most failed downloads come down to one of four causes.
- The link has expired or been removed. The person who shared the file can set a link to expire, and files that break TeraBox’s rules are taken down. Ask the sender for a new link.
- The link is password protected. TeraBox calls the password an extraction code. Only the sender can give it to you, and no downloader can get around it.
- The download is slow or stops halfway. This happens most often with files of several gigabytes on a mobile connection. Try again on Wi-Fi, and if the link is a folder, download the files one at a time.
- The address looks unfamiliar. TeraBox share links use more than one domain, including terabox.com and 1024terabox.com. They all lead to the same service.
What to do if the video will not play
A file that downloads correctly can still refuse to open. Videos shared on TeraBox are often in MKV format or use codecs that the default player on a phone does not support. The fix is to open the file in a player that handles more formats. VLC is free on Android, iPhone, Windows and Mac, and it plays almost everything.
If the file opens but stops partway through, the download was probably cut off. Compare the size of the file on your device with the size shown on the download page, and download it again if the two do not match.
How to keep your data use down
Downloading uses exactly as much data as the size of the file, so a 1.5GB movie costs 1.5GB of your pack. A few habits help.
- Check the file size before you tap Download.
- Save large files for Wi-Fi.
- Download a video you plan to watch more than once. Streaming it twice uses the data twice, and a saved copy uses it once.
Why TeraBox pushes you toward the app
TeraBox is run by Flextech Inc., a company based in Tokyo. The service launched in 2020 under the name Dubox and took its current name in 2021. The free plan is supported by advertising and by Premium subscriptions, and that helps explain why share pages steer visitors toward the app.
The differences between the two plans are mostly about speed and comfort.
- Storage: 1TB on the free plan and 2TB on Premium.
- Upload size: Free accounts can upload files of up to 4GB each. Premium raises that limit.
- Download speed: Free downloads are throttled. In tests by the review site Cloudwards, a 5GB file took about 41 minutes on a free account and about seven minutes on Premium.
- Video playback: According to the same review, videos played inside a free account are compressed to 480p. Premium plays them at original quality.
- Ads: The free plan shows them. Premium removes them.
- Price: Premium costs around $3.49 a month.
When the official app is the better choice
The browser method suits one-off downloads. The app makes more sense if you want to keep a file in the cloud instead of on your phone, or if you plan to upload and share files yourself. The Android app can also back up your photos automatically.
- Install TeraBox from Google Play or the App Store and sign in.
- Open the share link, which launches the app, and save the file to your own storage.
- Open the file from your storage and choose the download option to keep a copy on your device.
Expect to see ads along the way unless you pay for Premium.
Is it safe to download from TeraBox links?
Treat a TeraBox link the way you would treat an email attachment. Open links from people you know, and be careful with APK installers and ZIP archives from strangers, because cloud storage links are a common way to spread malware.
TeraBox encrypts files while they travel between your device and its servers, but it does not offer end-to-end encryption, which means the company holds the keys. It is fine for videos and other files you would not mind losing. It is a poor place for ID documents or bank records.
Be just as careful with third-party download sites. A downloader that works from a public share link has no reason to ask for your TeraBox password. If a site tells you to log in, install a browser extension or download an app first, close it and use another one.
Finally, download only the files you own or have permission to save. A share link gives you access to a file, but it does not give you the right to repost someone else’s work.
Saving videos from other apps
TeraBox is only one of the places where videos get shared. For clips posted publicly on Instagram, Facebook or X, an online video downloader works in much the same way: copy the link to the post, paste it into the tool and save the file. Keep it to your own content, or to clips the creator has said you can reuse.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a TeraBox account to save a shared file?
Not if you use a browser-based downloader, which works from the share link alone. You do need an account to save the file into your own TeraBox storage or to upload anything.
Can I save TeraBox files on an iPhone?
Yes. Paste the link into the downloader in Safari and the file is saved to the Files app. From there you can move a video into Photos.
Why is the download slower than my internet connection?
TeraBox limits download speed for people who are not Premium subscribers. A slow download usually reflects that cap, and your own connection is rarely the cause.
Will the sender know that I downloaded the file?
TeraBox does not send the sender a notification naming who downloaded a shared file. As with any shared link, assume the owner can see that the link is being used.
Is it legal to download from a TeraBox link?
It depends on the file. Saving your own files, or files the owner has shared with you for that purpose, is fine. Downloading or reposting copyrighted films, music or software without permission is not, whatever tool you use.