Before You Download From Pinterest: A Practical Checklist

Published 2026-10-31 · by the PinSaveHD team

Most download problems, and most copyright headaches, can be avoided with a minute of checking before you paste a link. Here is the checklist we use ourselves.

1. Is it a link to a single pin?

A pin link contains /pin/ followed by a number, or is a pin.it short link. Search pages, home feeds and topic pages are lists of pins, not pins. Board links work only in the board downloader, and profile links in the profile downloader. The supported URLs page lists every format.

2. Is the pin public?

Open the link in a private browser window. If you cannot see the pin without logging in, no public tool can fetch it either.

3. What type of pin is it?

Video, image, GIF, Idea Pin and carousel pins contain different files. PinSaveHD detects the type automatically, but knowing what to expect avoids surprises, such as a "GIF" that is really a video loop.

4. Do you have the right to use it?

Personal reference is very different from reposting, using in a client project or selling. If you plan to publish the content anywhere, check the original source and ask the creator. Pinterest's terms and copyright law still apply after you download something.

5. Which quality do you need?

For a phone wallpaper, the largest image is ideal. For a quick reference, a smaller video saves data and storage. The result card lists real resolutions so you can choose.

6. Where will it be saved?

On iPhone, Safari places downloads in the Files app. On Android, look in Downloads. On a computer, it is your browser's download folder unless you changed it. Our organisation guide helps if this gets messy.

7. Is the site you are using trustworthy?

• It should never ask for your Pinterest password.
• It should not require installing software to save a single file.
• Downloads should be the media file itself, not an executable or an unexpected app.

8. Do you need the text too?

Titles, descriptions and hashtags are not part of the media file. Copy them with the caption copier if you need them, for instance to remember a recipe name.

If something fails

Read the error message: it usually says whether the pin is private, deleted or simply had no downloadable media. Then see Download not working? for the fix for each case.

Print the short version

• Single pin link? Public? Known type?
• Right to use it for what you plan?
• Right size for the job?
• Know where it will land?
• Site never asked for a password?
• Text copied if needed?

If every answer is yes, the download almost always works first time and you will not have to undo anything later.

Written and reviewed by the PinSaveHD team. We test every step on real public pins. Spotted an error? Tell us.