# Downloading Media

If your project is **public**, a direct URL for each media file is included in the `csv` or `JSON` file generated when data are exported, enabling easy download and access.  [**See Downloading Data**](https://docs.epicollect.net/web-application/downloading-data)\
However, if your project is **private**, only the file name is provided, as there are no public URLs available for privacy reasons.

To **view media files** from a private project, log in to the **Dataviewer**. You can browse, preview, and download individual media files (photos, audio, videos) using your web browser. [**See Viewing entries**](https://docs.epicollect.net/web-application/viewing-data)

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We are aware that bulk downloading can streamline workflows and have added this feature to our development roadmap for future updates.
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**For developers:** If you're comfortable with coding, you can **automate media retrieval** using our official API. Detailed documentation on fetching media files is available here:  [**Epicollect API - Get Media**](https://developers.epicollect.net/media/get-media)

**Why no direct URLs for private media?**\
Private project media files are secured behind authentication protocols. Attempting to access them via a direct URL will result in a **404 Not Found** error because the files are not publicly exposed to the internet. This ensures that sensitive data remains protected, aligning with our commitment to user privacy and data security.