Downloading
- Downloading with credits
- Finding your downloaded files
- Downloading with a subscription
- Files not available with your subscription
- Unused subscription downloads
- Problems with download
- Re-downloading
- Refunds on downloaded files
- Downloading comps
- Downloading from a Board
- Bulk downloading from a Board
- Need to download smaller size
- Saving downloads to Dropbox
Downloading with credits
If you have credits in your account, make sure to sign in when you're ready to download a file.
Once you get to a file's detailed information page (the page you see when you click on an image or video you like), follow these simple steps:
- Choose your image or video size/resolution
- Click "Download this image" or "Download this video clip"
If you don't have enough credits to download your file, you'll have to buy more before proceeding. - When prompted, click "Confirm download"
- Locate your video (It may be in your Downloads folder, on your desktop, or the last place you saved a file.)
Finding your downloaded files
After clicking "Download", your browser should prompt you to save your file automatically. If your browser does not prompt you to save your file, you haven't actually downloaded anything yet.
After you download your file, it may be saved to your desktop, a specific downloads folder, or the last place you saved a file, depending on your browser and your preferences.
- Internet Explorer: typically lets you choose where to save a file. If you do not select a folder, it will default to the last place you saved a file.
- Firefox: saves files to your desktop unless you've specified otherwise in the preferences.
- Safari: will generally send images to your downloads folder or your desktop. This can also be set in the preferences.
- Chrome: saves files to your downloads folder unless otherwise specified.
Downloading with a subscription
If you have an active subscription, make sure to sign in when you're ready to download a file.
Once you get to a file's detailed information page (the page you see when you click on an image or video you like), follow these simple steps:
- Choose your image or video size/resolution
- Click "Download this image" or "Download this video clip"
- When prompted, click "Confirm download"
If you have both a subscription and credits in your account, you'll also need to choose how you'd like to pay for the file you're downloading. - Locate your video (It may be in your Downloads folder, on your desktop, or the last place you saved a file.)
During the active length of your subscription, you can re-download a file at no additional cost from your subscription download history. Once your subscription ends, you will no longer be able to re-download images downloaded with your subscription.
Files not available with your subscription
Tip: If you have a Basic subscription, refine your search results to display only the images available to you. Look for the collection toggle below the search bar on a search results page and select "Essentials" to search only for images available with a Basic subscription.
Unused subscription downloads
Problems with download
Lost downloads
If you can't find your file here are some tips:
You can always re-download any file downloaded with credits at no additional cost from your download history.
During the active length of your subscription, you can re-download a file at no additional cost from your subscription download history. Once your subscription ends, you will no longer be able to re-download images downloaded with your subscription.
If you still can't find your downloaded file or are experiencing download problems, please contact us with the file number and we'll help you out.
File not usable (corrupt, blurry, etc.)
If you download a file that is not is not usable (corrupt, blurry, etc.), simply contact us with the file number and your concerns. If we determine that there are technical issues with the file, we will re-credit you for the cost of the download.
Re-downloading
You can always re-download any file downloaded with credits at no additional cost from your download history.
During the active length of your subscription, you can re-download a file at no additional cost from your subscription download history. Once your subscription ends, you will no longer be able to re-download images downloaded with your subscription.
Refunds on downloaded files
iStock does not offer refunds or re-credits for downloaded files. File returns will only be considered based on technical issues with the file at the sole discretion of iStock.
Downloading comps
If you want to see what a specific file will look like in your project, you can always download a free watermarked comp.
For photos, vectors and illustrations, simply go to the file's detailed information page to click and drag the preview image to your desktop or folder, or right click and save. If you need a larger comp, zoom in and save the image.
If you need a comp of a video file, go to the file's detailed information page and right click and save from the preview video.
Please note: iStock comps are available for download solely for test or sample use, including comps and layouts. You do not have the rights to use a comp file in any final materials, whether distributed or not. You'll need to swap the comp for a paid-for licensed file before you can use it.
Downloading from a Board
With millions of files at your fingertips, it can be tricky to keep track of your favorites. That's why we created Boards, a place to organize and save your favorite files for future reference.
If you've got files in a Board that you're ready to download, simply click each file's thumbnail to go to the detailed information page to download the file.
Bulk downloading from a Board
Need to download smaller size
By default, iStock provides the largest available image size when you download an image. If you need to download a smaller size for your project, simply sign in to your account, go to your download history and click the download icon next to the file.
Saving downloads to Dropbox
If you have a Dropbox account, you can save your iStock downloads directly to your Dropbox.
Setting it up
To start saving your downloads to Dropbox, simply go to Apps in your account and click 'Connect.' You'll be directed to sign in to your Dropbox account to give iStock permission to save files. Once you've given us permission, we'll be able to save your downloads to a folder in your Dropbox.
Saving your downloads to Dropbox
All of the files you download starting from the day you set up Dropbox will be saved to the iStock by Getty Images folder. Since this happens behind the scenes, your download might not appear right away - but trust us, they're coming. If you run out of storage on your Dropbox, we won't be able to save any more downloads until you clear up more storage.
Disconnecting
To stop saving your downloads to Dropbox, simply go to Apps in your account and click "Disconnect." It might take a few minutes for your account to be fully disconnected, but once it's complete, you'll continue to have access to all your files that have been saved, but we'll no longer be able to access your Dropbox.
