How to Use Master Key

Resolved lonestar82
(@lonestar82)

1 week, 5 days ago

Hi there. I am trying to figure out how to use the Master Key to create a direct download link. I can’t seem to find any documentation online or anywhere really to help me understand where to put the Master Key in the URL. Can you provide some guidance?

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

Plugin Support Nayeem Hyder
(@nriddhi)

1 week, 5 days ago
Hi @lonestar82,

Hope you are well. The Master Key feature is available in BOTH FREE AND PRO versions
of WordPress Download Manager. Here’s the complete guide on how to use it: WHAT IS THE MASTER KEY?

The Master Key is a unique, auto-generated cryptographic key assigned to each
download/package. It allows you to create direct download links that bypass
authentication and access restrictions. WHERE TO FIND YOUR MASTER KEY

Follow these steps:
1. Go to Downloads → All Packages in your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Click on the package you want to create a direct link for
3. Scroll down to the Master Key section in the Package Settings tab
4. You’ll see a read-only text field with your unique Master Key
5. Click the Copy button to copy it to your clipboard
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Master Key section only appears for EXISTING packages
that have been published.

HOW TO CREATE THE DIRECT DOWNLOAD LINK

Use this URL format:
```
https://yoursite.com/package-page-url/?wpdmdl=PACKAGE_ID&masterkey=YOUR_MASTER_KEY
```
URL Components Explained:
- https://yoursite.com/package-page-url/ = Your package’s permalink
- wpdmdl = Query parameter for the package ID
- PACKAGE_ID = The WordPress post ID of your package
- masterkey = Query parameter for authentication
- YOUR_MASTER_KEY = The unique key from the Master Key field
EXAMPLE:

If your package URL is: https://yoursite.com/downloads/my-ebook/
Package ID: 123
Master Key: a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n4o5p6

Then your direct download link would be:
```
https://yoursite.com/downloads/my-ebook/?wpdmdl=123&masterkey=a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n4o5p6
```
HOW IT WORKS (Technical Details)

When someone visits your Master Key link:

✓ The download starts IMMEDIATELY without login
✓ Access restrictions are BYPASSED
✓ Access control settings are IGNORED
✓ Download statistics and logs are STILL RECORDED
✓ The system validates the Master Key server-side before processing

Please kindly check.

Thank you
Thread Starter lonestar82
(@lonestar82)

1 week, 5 days ago

Ah, thank you very much. I had been trying various combinations to try and end up with a URL that worked, but hadn’t landed on the format you sent. It worked perfectly.

Is there any way you could add a button within the Master Key section of the file page so that it would be easier to generate the link? Something that would take the published permalink, post id and Master Key, then smash them all together into the correct format with one click?

Plugin Support Nayeem Hyder
(@nriddhi)

1 week, 5 days ago

Please kindly navigate Downloads > All Files/All Packages section, please kindly click on Master Download URL/Generate Download URL icon as I image attached,

Then you can copy the Master Download Link. Please kindly check and let me know if it works for you. Please kindly check.

Thank you

Thread Starter lonestar82
(@lonestar82)

1 week, 5 days ago

Aha! That is perfect! Wish I had known about that this morning to save you the trouble of helping me.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate your help today!

Plugin Support Nayeem Hyder
(@nriddhi)

1 week, 5 days ago

Glad to hear that. However, if you need further help with anything else, then please don’t hesitate to open a new topic. If you get some free moments, can you please give us a 5* here https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/download-manager/reviews, It will inspire us a lot. Thanks in advance

Thank you again and regards

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