Is Hongguo Downloader safe? And is it legal to download 红果 dramas?

It's smart to ask before installing anything — so here's a straight, no-spin answer about what Hongguo Downloader does, what it touches on your PC, and where downloading dramas stands legally.

Is it safe to install?

Yes, with the normal common sense you'd apply to any app:

• Per-user install, no admin rights. It doesn't touch system files or ask for administrator access.
• Runs locally. Downloads save straight to your own machine — your library and files stay with you.
• No bundled junk. The one-click installer sets up only what the app needs; there's no adware or toolbar.
• Get it from the official source. Always download from this site or the linked GitHub release — never a random mirror. You're welcome to scan the installer with your antivirus first.

Does it need my 红果 account or password?

No. The app runs in guest mode — it never asks for your 红果 login, so no account of yours is exposed or put at risk. Your downloaded videos, your library and your watch history stay on your PC and are never sent to us. The app does talk to Hongguo Downloader's own servers for a few things: license checks and the free daily limit (a device ID, plus, on the Free plan, the ID of each series you start downloading), key activation (your computer's name and Windows user name), and Catalogue searches. The Privacy Policy lists exactly what's sent, why, and how long it's kept.

Why does Windows warn me when I install it?

You may see a Windows SmartScreen message like "Windows protected your PC." This is common for installers from new or independent publishers that Microsoft simply hasn't seen downloaded thousands of times yet — it's a reputation prompt, not a virus detection. If you downloaded it from the official site, you can click "More info → Run anyway." As the tool gets more downloads, these prompts fade.

Is it legal to download 红果 dramas?

Here's the honest version. The dramas are copyrighted by their creators and the platform, and downloading streaming content sits in a legal gray area that depends on where you live. In many places, keeping a personal offline copy of something you can already watch is viewed very differently from redistributing or selling it — which you should never do.

Sensible guidelines: use it for personal, offline viewing only, don't share or sell the files, and check the rules in your own country. Hongguo Downloader is an independent tool, not affiliated with 红果 / Hongguo. None of this is legal advice — if you're unsure, look up your local rules.

How to stay on the safe side

• Download the app only from the official site or its GitHub release.
• Keep downloads for personal use — don't re-upload or distribute them.
• Keep Windows and your antivirus up to date, as you would normally.

Frequently asked questions