uSelect iDownload: What It Was & Best Alternatives in 2026
uSelect iDownload let Chrome users batch-select links and download them all at once. Here's where it stands in 2026 — and what's replaced it.
What Was uSelect iDownload?
uSelect iDownload was a Chrome extension that allowed users to select multiple hyperlinks on a webpage and trigger a batch download of all selected files. The workflow was simple: install the extension, activate selection mode, click the links you want, then download them all.
It was particularly useful for pages where you wanted to selectively grab some (but not all) of the downloadable files.
Is uSelect iDownload Still Available in 2026?
uSelect iDownload has not been actively maintained in recent years. Chrome's Manifest V3 changes have caused problems for older download extensions, and uSelect is among those affected. The extension may still appear in the Chrome Web Store but is not reliably functional on current Chrome versions.
Best uSelect iDownload Alternatives in 2026
1. FileGrab (Best Overall Replacement)
FileGrab goes further than uSelect iDownload ever did. Instead of you manually clicking links to select them, FileGrab scans the page server-side and gives you a full list of every downloadable file — with checkboxes to select what you want.
How it replicates uSelect iDownload's workflow:
- Paste the page URL into FileGrab
- See all downloadable files listed (PDF, video, audio, documents, images)
- Check the files you want
- Download individually or as a ZIP (Pro)
The key improvement: you see files before downloading, with file names and sizes shown upfront.
2. DownThemAll (Firefox)
If you're a Firefox user, DownThemAll's selection interface is similar to uSelect's concept — browse links on the page, filter them, select what you want, and download.
3. Chrono Download Manager (Chrome)
Chrono adds a download queue to Chrome and supports batch downloading from a link list. Not as elegant as uSelect's selection model but more reliably maintained.
Why Server-Side Scanning Is Better
uSelect iDownload's limitation was that it only saw what the browser's DOM showed — it couldn't tell you file sizes in advance, or find files that weren't visibly linked. FileGrab's server-side approach means it can find files even in complex page structures and always shows you what you're getting before you commit to a download.
Conclusion
uSelect iDownload's core idea — select multiple links and batch download them — was good. FileGrab implements it better: it discovers all the links for you, shows file sizes upfront, and exports to ZIP. Start for free with 20 credits.