Customize who is allowed to download your Flickr content—helping you control and protect your photos and videos.
How to enable or disable downloading of your Flickr content
- Log into your account on a web browser.
- Go to Privacy & Permissions in your account settings.
- Under Global Settings, find Who can download your images (including originals)? | select Edit.
- Choose who can download your content.
- Select Save.
You have the ability to customize your download settings on Flickr. This enhances the security of your content by allowing you to specify who is authorized to save your content.
Download permissions and account types
Note: Download permissions are affected by the type of account that owns the content.
- Free accounts cannot offer downloads of original or large-size photos (larger than 1024px), regardless of the permission setting. Videos uploaded by free accounts are also not available for download.
- Pro accounts can allow full-size and original downloads for their own content, as long as permissions are enabled.
Exceptions:
- Creative Commons–licensed photos (unless set to private).
- Public Domain works.
- Flickr Commons content.
Licensing
The license you apply to your content determines how others can use it. Learn more about licensing options here.
Creative Commons license:
- Anyone can download the original image if a CC license is applied.
- You can change your default license in your account settings
Want to restrict downloads?
- Applying stricter licenses may discourage downloads, but it cannot fully prevent them.
- The only way to completely prevent downloads is to make your content private..
Tips to better control downloads
- Limit access to your original image (owner’s choice).
- Control the maximum size at which your photos are displayed and available for download by adjusting your Best display size setting in your account preferences.
- Free accounts have a max of 2048 pixels.
- Pro accounts can go up to 6144 pixels.
FAQs
How do I access the original image?
- Log into your account on a web browser.
- Open any photo | select the Download icon .
- Select View all sizes.
- Select Original.
The owner can disable original image access in their settings.
Why is "View all sizes" still showing after disabling original downloads?
- Members can still download large and smaller sizes.
- To prevent large size downloads, upload a smaller version of the file.
As a Free member, how can I download my videos?
Both Free & Pro members can download their own videos by requesting their Flickr data in their account settings.