Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

WordPress Video Shortcode: How to Disable Download Option

WordPress is a popular platform that lets you create and publish blogs, websites, and e-commerce sites. One of its features is the video shortcode that allows you to embed videos on your website without having to use a plugin. However, this shortcode also comes with the option to enable or disable the download button, which can be problematic if you don't want people to download your videos without permission. In this article, we'll teach you how to disable the download option for WordPress video shortcode using a few simple steps.

What is the WordPress Video Shortcode?

First, let's define the term "shortcode." A shortcode is a small piece of code in WordPress that lets you do things like embed videos, create a gallery, or add forms to your website without having to write complex HTML code. The WordPress video shortcode lets you embed videos from various sources like YouTube, Vimeo, or DailyMotion so your visitors can watch them directly from your website.

Why Disable the Download Option?

In some cases, you might not want your visitors to download your videos directly from your website. This is especially true if your videos contain proprietary information, copyrighted material, or confidential data. By disabling the download option, you ensure that only authorized users can access your video content.

How to Disable the Download Option on WordPress Video Shortcode

Here's how you can disable the download option for WordPress video shortcode:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard and click on the "Appearance" tab.
2. Find and click on the "Theme Editor" option.
3. From the list of files, select the "functions.php" file.
4. Add the following code at the bottom of the file and save the changes:

```addfilter('wpvideoshortcode', 'disablevideo_download');

function disablevideodownload($output) {

$output = preg_replace('/controls(.*)(\s)data-toggle/', 'controls$1 data-toggle', $output);

return $output;

}```

5. That's it! The download option for your videos is now disabled.

How Does the Code Work?

The code above is a simple filter that modifies the output generated by the WordPress video shortcode. It replaces the "controls" attribute with "data-toggle" and removes any download option that might be present. The new "data-toggle" attribute still allows visitors to play, pause, or stop the video but doesn't give them the option to download it.

Conclusion

Disabling the download option for WordPress video shortcode is a great way to protect your video content and ensure that it's only accessible to authorized users. With a few simple steps, you can customize your website and secure your videos from unwanted distribution. Always remember to check your website before publishing it live to make sure that everything is working as expected.