Protected Downloads Add On Documentation

The Protected Downloads Add On lets you offer members-only files on your membership site, like PDF guides, worksheets, spreadsheets, templates, and images. Each file is stored in the Paid Memberships Pro protected files folder, and only visitors with the required membership level can download it. Everyone else sees which level is required and a link to join.

This documentation walks through creating and protecting downloads, then showing them on your site with blocks and shortcodes in one of three display templates. We also cover adding download links to level confirmation messages and emails, how the Add On stores and serves files, the filter hooks developers can use, and answers to common questions.

Premium Add On: Included with Standard and Max

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.

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Installation

You must have the Paid Memberships Pro plugin installed and activated with a valid license type to use this Add On.

Navigate to Memberships > Add Ons in the WordPress admin.
Locate the Add On and click Install Now.
- To install this plugin manually, download the .zip file above, then upload the compressed directory via the Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin screen in the WordPress admin.
Activate the plugin through the Plugins screen in the WordPress admin.

Create and Protect Downloads

Each download holds one protected file. Create downloads from the Downloads menu in the WordPress admin, then choose which membership levels can access each one, either per download or for a whole download category.

Display Downloads With Blocks and Shortcodes

Show a single download or a library of downloads anywhere on your site using the PMPro Download and PMPro Download Library blocks or their matching shortcodes. Blocks and shortcodes share the same options and output.

Download Display Templates

Every download block and shortcode uses one of three templates: link, button, or card. Each template has a version for members who can download the file and a locked version for everyone else.

Share Downloads in Confirmation Messages and Emails

Give new members their files right away by adding a download shortcode to a level’s confirmation message. The download shows on the confirmation page after checkout and becomes a link in checkout emails.

How Download Files Are Stored and Protected

Download files never go into your public Media Library. They’re stored in the protected files folder that Paid Memberships Pro manages, and every request is checked against the member’s access before the file is sent.

Action and Filter Hooks

The Protected Downloads Add On relies on the protected files and content restriction systems in Paid Memberships Pro, so most customizations use core hooks. This reference covers the filter the Add On applies plus the core and WordPress hooks that change how downloads behave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about storing, protecting, and displaying files with the Protected Downloads Add On.

Important Note for NGINX Servers

Protected files live in a folder inside your WordPress uploads directory. On Apache servers, Paid Memberships Pro blocks direct access to that folder automatically. On NGINX servers, you need to add a rule to your server configuration, or anyone with a file’s direct URL can open it. Check the status under Memberships > Settings > Security and see How Download Files Are Stored and Protected for details.