How to Force File Download Using PHP?

Force File Download using PHP

Background:

You intend to implement a "Download this File" feature on your website to allow users to directly download videos stored on a separate server instead of streaming them in their browsers.

Solution:

To force file download using PHP, you can utilize the following code snippet:

// Specify the file location and remote URL.
$file_name = 'file.avi';
$file_url = 'http://www.myremoteserver.com/' . $file_name;

// Set appropriate headers to force download.
header('Content-Type: application/octet-stream');
header("Content-Transfer-Encoding: Binary");
header("Content-disposition: attachment; filename=\"\"" . $file_name . "\"\"");

// Initiate the download process.
readfile($file_url);
exit; // Prevent any further script output.

Implementation:

1. Replace $file_name with the name of the video file.
2. Update $file_url with the actual remote URL of the video file.
3. Use this code snippet in your PHP script where you want to initiate the download process.

Note: Ensure that fopen_wrappers are enabled to allow readfile to read the remote URL.

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