Udio temporarily reopens downloads amid creator outcry
Udio just brought back downloads for 48 hours after a major user revolt, here’s what happened and what it means for creators going forward.
Udio has temporarily restored downloading for its users after a wave of backlash erupted across social media. The company had quietly restricted downloads earlier in the week, which infuriated creators who rely on Udio’s tools to produce and share their work. Within hours, complaints mounted, and the platform found itself facing a full-blown user revolt.
In response, Udio announced a 48-hour window during which users can download their tracks again, calling the move a “temporary measure” intended to give creators access to their existing work while the company reassesses its policy. Many users had spent days generating large libraries of music, some for creative projects, others for commercial use, and were caught off-guard when Udio suddenly limited their ability to export audio.
The company said it is reevaluating its approach to downloads as it works to address copyright concerns, licensing complications, and the rapid growth of its user base. But frustrated creators argue that downloads are central to the service and that removing them without warning undermines trust.
The 48-hour reinstatement appears designed to buy time, ease tensions, and prevent an exodus to competing platforms. Whether the temporary fix is enough to calm its community remains unclear. As AI-generated music continues to surge in popularity, Udio’s next move will determine not just its own future, but how creators view the reliability of AI music tools in general.