# Re: the downloads api on android / workarounds

**URL:** <https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/re-the-downloads-api-on-android-workarounds/86975>\
**Category:** Development\
**Created:** [October 8, 2021, 7:27am UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/re-the-downloads-api-on-android-workarounds/86975 "2021-10-08T07:27:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ye\_fryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/d07c76/32.png) [@ye\_fryman](https://discourse.mozilla.org/u/ye_fryman)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2021, 7:27am UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/re-the-downloads-api-on-android-workarounds/86975/1 "2021-10-08T07:27:44Z")

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so, since the downloads api is no longer supported on ff for android; is there any viable workaround, or are mobile addons just totally barred from allowing the user to download files?

having trouble finding much information regarding the subject ([beyond here, which is a huge bummer, considering it used to work great…](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/API/downloads)) – would be grateful for any resources anyone could provide

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**Author:** ![freaktechnik](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/discourse.mozilla.org/freaktechnik/32/37766_2.png) [@freaktechnik](https://discourse.mozilla.org/u/freaktechnik)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2021, 10:41am UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/re-the-downloads-api-on-android-workarounds/86975/2 "2021-10-08T10:41:18Z")

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You can probably still use an `<a download` style link. There is still a chance that at some point Firefox for Android will gain a downloads API again, I’d hope.