Modern browser extensions (WebExtensions) have restricted access to your computer's file system for security reasons. The acts as a "messaging host" that bridges the gap between your browser and your PC, allowing the extension to:
: First, add Ant Video Downloader to Firefox or Edge .
This is a separate software package that installs directly onto Windows or macOS. It communicates with your browser extension to handle the heavy lifting of video processing. Common Issues and How to Fix Them ant video downloader native app hot
In the past, the Ant Video Downloader extension could work independently, using old browser technologies (XUL/XPCOM) to directly read your disk and launch programs. However, modern browsers have evolved significantly. Starting from Firefox version 57 and beyond, all extensions are built on a new "WebExtensions" technology. For security reasons, these modern extensions have "no access to the disk, and cannot launch any programs" on their own.
: It automatically captures and stitches together fragmented video streams (like HLS or MPEG-DASH) into a single, playable file. It communicates with your browser extension to handle
You can remux (combine video and audio) on the fly without re-encoding, which takes seconds instead of hours.
Ability to download multiple videos at once. Starting from Firefox version 57 and beyond, all
Given its inconsistent state, it's wise to explore alternatives that may offer better reliability:
Download the .msi installer from Ant.com or the Ant Video Downloader (Native messaging host) package on Chocolatey.