Downloading videos from Bilibili can be tricky, especially if you're looking for high-quality 1080P MP4 files. Whether you're a fan of anime, gaming content, or Chinese dramas, having these videos available offline can be incredibly useful. In this guide, I'll walk you through the best free methods to download MP4 videos from Bilibili with 1080P quality support.

Why download Bilibili videos?

Before diving into the how-to, let's quickly cover why you might want to download videos from this popular Chinese video platform:

• Watch content offline when you don't have internet access
• Save your favorite videos in case they get removed
• Avoid buffering issues when streaming
• Create a personal collection of your favorite content
• Use clips for educational or fair use purposes

Understanding Bilibili and Video Quality Options

Bilibili offers various video quality options, with 1080P being among the highest resolutions available to regular users. Higher quality means larger file sizes but better viewing experience, especially on larger screens.

The platform uses different video formats and encoding methods, which is why specialized tools are needed to properly download and convert these videos to MP4 format.

Method 1: Using Online Bilibili Downloaders

Step-by-Step Guide to Using SaveFrom.net

One of the simplest ways to download Bilibili videos is through online downloaders that don't require installation.

1. Copy the URL of the Bilibili video you want to download
2. Visit SaveFrom.net or a similar online downloader
3. Paste the Bilibili URL into the input field
4. Select 1080P resolution (if available)
5. Click the download button
6. Save the MP4 file to your desired location

Pros and Cons of Online Downloaders

Online downloaders are convenient but come with limitations:

Pros:

• No software installation required
• Works across different operating systems
• Simple and straightforward process
• Free to use

Cons:

• May not always support 1080P
• Often include ads or pop-ups
• Download speeds can be slower
• Some sites may have daily download limits
• Not all online downloaders support Bilibili

Method 2: Using Browser Extensions

Video DownloadHelper for Chrome and Firefox

Browser extensions offer a more integrated approach to downloading Bilibili videos:

1. Install Video DownloadHelper from your browser's extension store
2. Navigate to the Bilibili video you want to download
3. Play the video to load it
4. Click on the extension icon in your browser
5. Select the 1080P MP4 option from the available formats
6. Click download and choose where to save the file

Tampermonkey with Bilibili Helper Script

For more advanced users, Tampermonkey with specialized scripts offers powerful downloading capabilities:

1. Install Tampermonkey extension in your browser
2. Find and install a Bilibili Helper script from a trusted source
3. Navigate to any Bilibili video page
4. Look for the newly added download buttons on the video player
5. Select 1080P quality
6. Download the MP4 file directly

Comparing Browser Extensions

Extension	Ease of Use	1080P Support	Additional Features
Video DownloadHelper	Easy	Yes	Works on multiple sites, format conversion
Tampermonkey + Scripts	Moderate	Yes	Highly customizable, batch downloads possible
Video Downloader Professional	Easy	Varies	Clean interface, works with many sites

Method 3: Using Free Desktop Applications

4K Video Downloader

Desktop applications provide the most reliable way to download high-quality Bilibili videos:

1. Download and install 4K Video Downloader from the official website
2. Copy the URL of the Bilibili video
3. Open 4K Video Downloader and click "Paste Link"
4. When prompted, select MP4 as the format
5. Choose 1080P quality
6. Click "Download" and wait for the process to complete

Using VLC Media Player to Download Bilibili Videos

Many people don't know that VLC can also download streaming videos:

1. Open VLC Media Player
2. Click on "Media" in the top menu
3. Select "Open Network Stream"
4. Paste the Bilibili video URL and click "Play"
5. Once the video starts playing, go to "Tools" > "Media Information"
6. In the Location field, you'll find the actual video stream URL
7. Copy this URL, paste it in your browser, and the video will begin downloading
8. Right-click and select “Save video as” to save the MP4 file

Using FFmpeg (Advanced Users)

For tech-savvy users, FFmpeg offers powerful command-line downloading capabilities:

1. Install FFmpeg on your computer
2. Use a Bilibili API tool to get the direct video URL
3. Open Command Prompt or Terminal
4. Use the command:ffmpeg -i "VIDEO_URL" -c copy output.mp4
5. Replace VIDEO_URL with the actual video stream URL
6. Wait for the download to complete

Method 4: Using Python Scripts

Setting Up a Python Environment

Python scripts offer a free and flexible way to download Bilibili videos:

1. Install Python from python.org
2. Open Command Prompt or Terminal
3. Install required packages:pip install you-get

Using You-Get to Download Bilibili Videos

You-Get is a powerful Python utility for downloading videos:

1. Open Command Prompt or Terminal
2. Type: you-get -i [Bilibili URL]to check available formats
3. Download with:you-get --format=dash-flv1080 [Bilibili URL]
4. The video will download in the highest quality available up to 1080P
5. You can specify the output directory with-o [directory path]

Using Annie for Bilibili Downloads

Annie is another excellent command-line tool:

1. Install Annie with:go get github.com/iawia002/annie
2. Download a Bilibili video:annie -f 80 [Bilibili URL]
3. The -f 80 parameter requests 1080P quality

Overcoming Common Bilibili Download Challenges

Dealing with Region Restrictions

Some Bilibili content is region-restricted, especially outside China:

• Use a VPN service to connect to a Chinese server
• Make sure your downloader tool can work through the VPN
• Some downloaders have built-in proxy settings you can configure

Handling Login-Required Videos

Some premium or age-restricted content requires login:

• Use browser extensions that can maintain your login session
• For command-line tools, you may need to provide cookies
• With You-Get, use:you-get --cookies /path/to/cookies.txt [URL]

Fixing Incomplete Downloads

If you encounter incomplete downloads:

• Check your internet connection stability
• Try a different download method
• Some tools support resuming interrupted downloads
• Consider downloading during off-peak hours for better speeds

Batch Downloading Multiple Bilibili Videos

Using You-Get for Playlist Downloads

Download entire playlists or channels with You-Get:

1. Find the playlist or channel URL on Bilibili
2. Use:you-get --playlist [playlist URL]
3. All videos will download in the highest quality available

Creating Custom Scripts for Batch Downloads

For repeated or scheduled downloads, create a simple batch script:

1. Create a text file with a list of Bilibili URLs
2. Write a simple batch script to read each URL and pass it to your download tool
3. Schedule the script to run at specific times using Task Scheduler (Windows) or Cron (Mac/Linux)

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!) , register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Understanding Bilibili's Terms of Service

Before downloading, be aware of legal considerations:

• Bilibili's terms of service generally prohibit unauthorized downloading
• Downloaded content should be for personal use only
• Redistributing or using commercial content may violate copyright laws
• Some countries have specific laws regarding content downloading

Fair Use and Personal Use Guidelines

To stay on the right side of the law:

• Only download videos for personal viewing
• Don't share downloaded content with others
• Consider supporting content creators through official channels
• Delete content if you no longer need it offline

Optimizing Downloaded Video Quality

Understanding Bilibili Video Formats

Bilibili uses several video formats:

• FLV: Older format, sometimes used for higher quality streams
• MP4: Most compatible format
• DASH: Adaptive streaming format that separates audio and video

Converting Downloaded Videos to MP4

If your download isn't already in MP4 format:

1. Use a free converter like HandBrake
2. Import the downloaded video file
3. Select MP4 as the output format
4. Choose video quality settings (aim for original quality)
5. Start the conversion process

Preserving 1080P Quality During Conversion

To maintain high quality during conversion:

• Use high bitrate settings (8-10 Mbps for 1080p)
• Select "Constant Quality" rather than average bitrate when possible
• Use the H.264 codec for best compatibility
• Preserve original audio quality

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Video Download Fails or Times Out

If downloads consistently fail:

• Check your internet connection
• Try a different download method
• The video might be protected or region-locked
• Try downloading during off-peak hours
• Use a VPN if region restrictions are the issue

Audio and Video Out of Sync

For sync issues in downloaded videos:

• Use a video repair tool like FFmpeg
• Try re-downloading using a different method
• Some DASH format downloads may require proper remuxing

Lower Quality Than Expected

If you're not getting 1080P quality:

• Verify the original video is available in 1080P
• Some older Bilibili content may only exist in lower resolutions
• Make sure your download tool specifically requests 1080P
• Premium content may have quality restrictions for non-subscribers

Organizing Your Downloaded Bilibili Collection

Creating a Logical Folder Structure

Keep your downloads organized:

• Create main folders by content type (anime, music, etc.)
• Use subfolders for series or channels
• Include the upload date in filenames for easier sorting
• Consider using a naming convention like: [ChannelName]_[VideoTitle]_[Date]_[Quality].mp4

Using Media Management Software

For larger collections:

• Try media managers like Plex or Kodi
• These can automatically organize and fetch metadata for your videos
• Makes browsing and finding specific videos much easier
• Can stream your collection to other devices on your network

Conclusion

Downloading MP4 videos from Bilibili doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With the methods outlined in this guide, you can save your favorite content in high-quality 1080P format without spending a dime. Each approach has its strengths - online tools offer convenience, desktop applications provide reliability, and command-line tools give you flexibility.

Remember to respect copyright laws and use downloaded content only for personal viewing. By following the steps in this guide, you'll be able to build your offline Bilibili collection efficiently and legally.

Whether you're preparing for a long flight, dealing with unreliable internet, or simply want to preserve your favorite videos, these free methods will help you download Bilibili videos in the best possible quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it legal to download videos from Bilibili?

Downloading videos from Bilibili for personal use falls into a gray area. While Bilibili's terms of service generally don't permit unauthorized downloading, personal use is often tolerated. However, redistributing downloaded content or using it commercially would likely violate copyright laws. Always respect creators' rights and consider supporting them through official channels.

2. Why can't I download some Bilibili videos in 1080P?

Several factors might prevent 1080P downloads. The original video might not be available in that resolution, or it might be restricted to premium users. Some videos are region-locked or require login credentials. Try using a VPN if region restrictions are the issue, or ensure your download tool supports authentication if login is required.

3. Which method is fastest for downloading Bilibili videos?

Desktop applications like 4K Video Downloader typically offer the fastest download speeds because they can establish multiple connections and optimize bandwidth usage. Command-line tools like You-Get and Annie can also be very fast if properly configured. Online downloaders tend to be the slowest option due to server limitations and traffic.

4. How can I download Bilibili videos on my smartphone?

For smartphones, your best options are dedicated video downloader apps or using browser extensions if you're using a mobile browser that supports them. On Android, apps like NewPipe (not available on Google Play Store) can download from various platforms including Bilibili. For iOS, you might need to use shortcuts or workflow automations with online services, as direct downloading is more restricted.

5. What should I do if the downloaded video has no sound?

Missing audio is common when downloading from platforms that use DASH streaming (which separates audio and video streams). Try a different download method that automatically combines these streams. If using command-line tools, make sure you're using commands that merge audio and video. For already downloaded files without audio, you can use a video editor to combine the separate audio file (if you have it) or re-download using a more reliable method.