# Why didn't my recipe import?

What each import message means, from private or signed-in-only videos to blocked websites and "recipe in bio" posts, and what to try instead.

Most imports just work, but some videos and pages can't be read. When an import fails, Phork It! says why in red under the form, or on the import's card on **Recipes**. Nothing is saved, and you can try a different source straight away.

## The video can't be opened

- **"This site only shows this video to people who are signed in, so we can't open it."** Instagram often hides posts from anyone who isn't signed in, and Phork It! doesn't sign in to other sites. Trying again won't help. If the creator posts the same recipe on TikTok, YouTube or their website, import that.
- **"This video is private, so we can't see it."** Only the creator can change that.
- **"This video is no longer there, or the link is wrong."** Check the link still opens the video.
- **"This site won't let us open this video. It may have been removed."** Check the video still plays in its app. If it does, try again later.
- **"We can't import this kind of post. Share a single video."** Instagram carousels and picture posts, X posts without a video, and live streams aren't supported yet. TikTok photo posts and Facebook posts do work.
- **"We couldn't open this video."** Usually a temporary hiccup. Try again in a while.

## The website can't be read

- **"This website doesn't let apps read its pages."** Some sites block apps. Try again later, or copy the recipe's text and use **Import from text**.
- **"We couldn't reach this website. It may be down."** Check the page opens in your browser, then try again later.
- **"This link isn't a web page. It may be a PDF or a picture."** Use **Import from photos** with a screenshot, or **Import from text**.

## The recipe isn't all there

- **"We couldn't find the whole recipe in this. Try the creator's written recipe or another source."** The caption says "recipe in bio", or the ingredients only appear on screen. Phork It! reads captions and speech, not text shown in the video, so it won't save half a recipe. Look for the creator's written recipe on their website.
- **"This has several recipes in it. Import one recipe at a time."** Roundups and "week of dinners" videos aren't supported. Import the one recipe you want, often from the creator's own page for it.
- **"This doesn't look like a recipe."** Reviews, ads and eating videos aren't recipes. If it clearly is one, tell us.

## Other messages

- **"Send a link to a recipe page or a cooking video" or "Share a link to one video, not a profile or feed".** Share the video or recipe page itself, not a profile or channel, and make sure it's a full web address.
- **"Too many imports. Try again in … minutes."** You can start 20 new imports an hour. Wait the time shown.
- **"Couldn't import this. Check your connection."** Your phone couldn't reach Phork It!. Check your internet and try again.

## It seems stuck

An import can take a minute or two, and long videos longer. You can close the sheet: the card on **Recipes** shows its progress, and the recipe appears there when it's done. Every import finishes or fails within 10 minutes.

> **Tell us about it**

Think an import should have worked? On a failed import, choose **Report a problem**. The import's details are included, so you don't have to explain which one. Or use **Settings** › **Send feedback**.

- [How to save a recipe from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube or Facebook](https://phorkit.com/help/en/importing/save-recipes-from-videos)
- [How to import a recipe from a photo, screenshot or text](https://phorkit.com/help/en/importing/import-from-photos-or-text)

Source: https://phorkit.com/help/en/troubleshooting/import-didnt-work (updated 2026-11-03)