What Happened to Putlocker? (And Why You Need a Putlocker Alternative for Mac)
Putlocker was once one of the world's most popular free video streaming websites, launched in 2011 in the United Kingdom. At its peak, Putlocker attracted millions of daily visitors who used it to stream movies, TV shows, and viral videos online for free. However, due to copyright infringement lawsuits and legal pressure from entertainment industry groups, the original Putlocker website was permanently shut down in May 2016.
Since then, numerous Putlocker "mirror sites," clones, and copycat domains have appeared online, but virtually all of them have also been taken down or blocked by internet service providers and search engines. As of 2026, there is no legitimate, operational Putlocker website. Any site claiming to be "Putlocker" today is likely a scam, malware distribution platform, or an illegal streaming site that poses significant security and legal risks to visitors.
⚠️ Security Warning: Avoid Fake Putlocker Sites
Many websites claiming to be "Putlocker" or "Putlocker alternatives" in 2026 are scam sites that may contain malware, aggressive pop-up ads, phishing attempts, or illegal content. These sites often use deceptive domain names (like putlocker.is, putlocker.to, putlocker.vip, etc.) to trick users. For your safety and security, we strongly recommend avoiding these sites entirely and using legitimate, licensed video platforms instead.
If you previously used Putlocker to stream and (unofficially) download videos on your Mac, you now need a safe, legal, and reliable Putlocker alternative. The good news is that there are many excellent, legitimate video streaming platforms available today that offer high-quality content — and with the right video downloader for Mac, you can save videos from these platforms for offline viewing.
The Best Putlocker Alternatives for Mac Users in 2026
Instead of risking your security and legal standing with defunct or fake Putlocker sites, we recommend using these legitimate, safe, and high-quality video streaming platforms that work perfectly on Mac:
🎥 YouTube
The world's largest video platform with billions of videos — movies, TV clips, educational content, music, and more. Free with ads, or ad-free with YouTube Premium.
🎬 Vimeo
High-quality, ad-free video platform popular with filmmakers, artists, and creative professionals. Exceptional video quality and curated content.
📹 Dailymotion
European video sharing platform with diverse content including news, sports, music, and entertainment. Strong alternative to YouTube.
📚 TED
Nonprofit platform offering thousands of inspiring, educational talks from experts around the world. All videos are free and high-quality.
🎓 Coursera
Online learning platform with courses from top universities. Video lectures from Stanford, Yale, Google, and more. Many courses are free to audit.
🎵 Facebook Watch & Instagram
Social video platforms with millions of videos — from creators, news organizations, and brands. Great for discovering trending content.
How to Download Streaming Videos on Mac: The Complete Guide
Now that you know the best Putlocker alternatives, let's talk about how to download streaming videos on Mac for offline viewing. Whether you want to save YouTube videos for a long flight, download TED talks for offline learning, or archive Vimeo films, you need a reliable video downloader for Mac.
Total Video Downloader for Mac is the best solution for Mac users who want to download streaming videos from 1000+ legitimate video sites. It is specifically designed and optimized for macOS, works on both Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) Macs, and supports all modern macOS versions including Sequoia, Sonoma, and Ventura.
Download Streaming Videos on Mac — The Legal, Safe Way
Total Video Downloader for Mac — $29.99 one-time payment. Download from 1000+ legitimate video sites safely.
Buy Now $29.99 — Use ImmediatelyCompatible with macOS Sequoia • Sonoma • Ventura • Intel & Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3/M4
Step-by-Step: How to Download Videos on Mac from Streaming Sites
Follow these four simple steps to download streaming videos on Mac using Total Video Downloader for Mac. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.
Download & Install Total Video Downloader for Mac
Click the download button to get Total Video Downloader for Mac. Once the DMG file downloads, double-click it, drag the app icon to your Applications folder, and launch the application. The installer is clean, ad-free, and takes under 30 seconds to complete. After installation, the app is ready to download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and 1000+ other sites on your Mac.
Navigate to Your Favorite Streaming Video on Mac
Open your web browser and navigate to the video you want to download. This could be a YouTube video, a Vimeo film, a TED talk, or any video from the 1000+ supported sites. Copy the video URL from your browser's address bar. Total Video Downloader for Mac works with both individual video URLs and playlist URLs (for batch downloading).
Paste the URL and Start Downloading Videos on Mac
In Total Video Downloader for Mac, paste the video URL into the input field and press Enter. The app will analyze the video, detect available quality options (up to 4K when available), and present a download dialog. Select your preferred quality and format (MP4 recommended for maximum compatibility), then click "OK" to begin downloading. You can queue multiple videos and the downloader will process them all in batch mode.
Access Your Downloaded Videos on Mac
Once the download completes, click the magnifying glass icon in the app to open the destination folder. By default, videos downloaded on Mac are saved to your Movies folder as standard MP4 files. You can now watch them with any media player (QuickTime, VLC, IINA), transfer them to your iPhone or iPad via AirDrop, copy them to an external drive, or import them into your preferred video library. The files are yours — no DRM, no app lock-in.
💡 Pro Tip: Download Entire YouTube Playlists on Mac
Total Video Downloader for Mac supports downloading entire YouTube playlists and channels with a single click. If you want to download a series of educational videos, a full music album, or an entire course, simply paste the playlist URL and the downloader will save all videos in the playlist automatically. This is perfect for offline learning and entertainment on the go.
Total Video Downloader for Mac: Features & Benefits
Full macOS Compatibility — Intel & Apple Silicon
Total Video Downloader for Mac is natively compiled for both Intel (x86_64) and Apple Silicon (ARM64/M1/M2/M3/M4) architectures. This means it runs at full native speed on every Mac — no Rosetta translation overhead, no compatibility issues. Whether you're using a 2015 MacBook Air or the latest M4 MacBook Pro, your video downloading experience is fast, smooth, and reliable.
Compatible macOS Versions
This video downloader for Mac supports all modern macOS versions:
- macOS 15 Sequoia — Full support, tested & verified
- macOS 14 Sonoma — Full support
- macOS 13 Ventura — Full support
- macOS 12 Monterey — Full support
- macOS 11 Big Sur — Full support
- macOS 10.15 Catalina and older — Supported (requires 10.8+)
1000+ Supported Video Sites
While many people search for "Putlocker downloader for Mac," the reality is that you need a versatile video downloader that supports many legitimate sites. Total Video Downloader for Mac supports over 1000 video streaming platforms:
...and hundreds more. If it streams video in a web browser on Mac, Total Video Downloader can likely download it.
Legal Considerations: Downloading Streaming Videos on Mac
ℹ️ Understanding Fair Use and Copyright
When you download streaming videos on Mac, it is important to understand the legal boundaries. In most jurisdictions, downloading videos for personal offline use (such as watching a YouTube video on a plane without Wi-Fi) is considered acceptable under fair use principles. However:
- Never redistribute downloaded videos — this violates copyright law
- Never upload downloaded content to file-sharing sites, torrent networks, or other video platforms
- Respect content creators' rights — many creators rely on ad revenue from views on the original platform
- Use downloads only for personal learning and entertainment — this is the ethical and legal standard
Total Video Downloader for Mac is a tool designed to help you access legitimately accessible content more conveniently — not to enable piracy or copyright infringement. Always use video downloading tools responsibly and in compliance with platform terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Putlocker Alternatives and Downloading Videos on Mac
No, Putlocker is no longer operational. The original Putlocker website was shut down in 2016, and all subsequent mirror sites and clones have also been taken offline. If you are searching for a "Putlocker downloader for Mac," you should instead use a general-purpose video downloader like Total Video Downloader for Mac that supports legitimate streaming sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, TED, and 1000+ others. These platforms are safe, legal, and offer high-quality content.
The best Putlocker alternatives for Mac users are legitimate video streaming platforms including YouTube (largest video library), Vimeo (high-quality, ad-free content), Dailymotion (diverse videos), TED (educational talks), and Coursera (online courses). To download videos from these platforms on your Mac, Total Video Downloader for Mac is the best solution — it supports 1000+ video sites, works on macOS Sequoia/Sonoma/Ventura, and supports both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
To download streaming videos on Mac safely and legally, use Total Video Downloader for Mac with legitimate video platforms. Simply copy the video URL from your browser, paste it into the downloader app, select your preferred quality and format, and click download. Only download videos that you have legitimate access to, and never redistribute downloaded content. Using a reputable, well-established video downloader app (rather than online downloader websites or browser extensions) is the safest approach, as these tools are less likely to contain malware or adware.
Yes, Total Video Downloader for Mac is fully compatible with macOS 15 Sequoia, as well as macOS 14 Sonoma, macOS 13 Ventura, and all other modern macOS versions. It is natively compiled for both Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) architectures, ensuring optimal performance on every Mac model. The app is regularly updated to maintain compatibility with the latest macOS releases and to add support for new video sites.
Total Video Downloader for Mac costs $29.99 as a one-time payment — there is no subscription, and you receive lifetime access with free updates. This is excellent value considering the app supports 1000+ video sites, offers batch downloading, format selection, and is regularly updated. There is also a free trial available so you can test the video downloading functionality before purchasing. We do not recommend using free online video downloader websites, as many contain ads, malware, or privacy risks.
Total Video Downloader for Mac supports all Mac models introduced since 2012 running macOS 10.8 or later. This includes MacBook Air (all models including M1/M2/M3/M4), MacBook Pro (all models including M1/M2/M3/M4 Pro/Max), iMac (all models), Mac mini (all models including M2/M4), Mac Studio (M1/M2 Ultra), and Mac Pro. Both Intel (x86_64) and Apple Silicon (ARM64) architectures are natively supported for maximum performance. If your Mac can run macOS 10.8 or later, it can run Total Video Downloader.
Download speed depends on your internet connection speed and the video quality/size. A typical 10-minute YouTube video at 1080p takes approximately 30-60 seconds with a standard broadband connection. Total Video Downloader for Mac supports parallel downloading, which means you can download multiple videos simultaneously, dramatically reducing total download time for batch downloads. The app also supports pause/resume, so you can spread large downloads over multiple sessions if needed.
Yes, Total Video Downloader for Mac supports downloading videos in up to 4K resolution (2160p) when the original video is available in that quality. This is particularly useful for downloading high-quality content from YouTube, Vimeo, and other platforms that offer 4K video. Note that 4K video files are significantly larger than 1080p or 720p files, so ensure you have sufficient free disk space. The app allows you to select your preferred quality before downloading, so you can balance file size and video quality based on your needs.
Last updated: June 17, 2026 • Fact-checked for macOS Sequoia (15.x) compatibility • Putlocker status verified