Downloadable resources are one of the simplest benefits to add to a membership, and one of the easiest to leak if the file sits in your public Media Library. The Protected Downloads Add On adds a Downloads area to your WordPress admin where each download holds one protected file. You choose which levels can access it, either per download or for a whole category, and show it anywhere on your site with a block or shortcode.
Members see a download link, button, or card. Visitors without access see a locked version that names the level they need and links to join, so every file you share also promotes your membership. The Protected Downloads Add On is included with the Standard and Max plans.
Key Features
- Protected File Storage: Files are stored in the Paid Memberships Pro protected files folder, not your Media Library, and every download is checked against the visitor’s membership before the file is sent.
- Access by Level or Category: Restrict each download to one or more membership levels, or protect a whole Download Category at once.
- Three Display Templates: Show downloads as a link, button, or card. Each template has a locked version with the required level and a link to checkout or your levels page.
- Download Library: Display a list or grid of downloads, filtered by category and sorted by title or date.
- Blocks and Shortcodes: Use the PMPro Download and PMPro Download Library blocks with live previews, or the matching shortcodes in the Classic Editor and page builders.
- Embedded Images: Show image downloads right on the page for members who have access.
- Files After Checkout: Add a download to a level’s confirmation message to show it on the confirmation page and include a download link in the checkout email.
- Simple Admin List: See each download’s levels, categories, and a ready-to-copy shortcode at a glance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Files are stored in the Paid Memberships Pro restricted files folder, a randomly named folder inside your uploads directory, in its pmpro-downloads subfolder. Files are served through a link that checks membership access first. On NGINX servers, you also need to add a server rule to block direct access to the folder. See How Download Files Are Stored and Protected.
Any file type WordPress allows on your site. Allowed types are controlled by WordPress’s standard upload_mimes filter.
Yes. There is no download limit. Members with the required level can download a file as many times as they like.
No. The Add On doesn’t count or log downloads. Developers can record downloads with the pmpro_restricted_file_served action in PMPro 3.7 and higher. See Action and Filter Hooks.
The file is deleted from the server when you permanently delete the download. Moving it to the Trash keeps the file, but no one can download it while the download is in the Trash.
The Add On deletes the old file only after the new file uploads successfully. If the upload fails, your original file is kept.
Yes. Use the PMPro Download Library block or [pmpro_download_library] shortcode to show a list or grid of downloads, optionally filtered by category. You can also add several PMPro Download blocks or [pmpro_download] shortcodes to the same page. See Display Downloads With Blocks and Shortcodes.
The Shortcode column at Downloads > All Downloads shows a ready-to-copy shortcode with each download’s ID. You can also find the ID in the URL when editing a download (post=123).
Yes. Downloads always open in the block editor, even when the Classic Editor plugin is active. To display downloads in the Classic Editor or a page builder, use the [pmpro_download] and [pmpro_download_library] shortcodes.
Screenshots
Every premium Add On comes with your Standard or Max plan. Standard includes expert support for a site you host yourself. Max adds managed hosting, transactional email, security, backups, free migration, and monthly credits for development and design.
