> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://savemate.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set Up AWS S3

> Connect AWS S3 to SaveMate for cloud storage of your downloaded videos.

AWS S3 uses API key authentication. You'll need to create an IAM user with the right permissions and provide your credentials to SaveMate.

## Prerequisites

* A SaveMate account with a [Professional plan](/docs/billing/plans)
* An AWS account with an S3 bucket
* An IAM user with S3 write permissions

## Step 1: Create an S3 bucket

If you don't already have a bucket:

1. Sign in to the [AWS Management Console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/s3/)
2. Click **Create bucket**
3. Enter a bucket name (e.g., `my-savemate-videos`)
4. Choose a region close to you for faster uploads
5. Leave other settings as default and click **Create bucket**

## Step 2: Create an IAM user

SaveMate needs an IAM user with limited permissions to upload files:

1. Go to the [IAM Console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/iam/)
2. Navigate to **Users** and click **Create user**
3. Enter a username (e.g., `savemate-uploader`)
4. Select **Attach policies directly**
5. Create and attach a custom policy with these permissions:

```json theme={null}
{
  "Version": "2012-10-17",
  "Statement": [
    {
      "Effect": "Allow",
      "Action": [
        "s3:PutObject",
        "s3:CreateMultipartUpload",
        "s3:UploadPart",
        "s3:CompleteMultipartUpload",
        "s3:AbortMultipartUpload",
        "s3:ListMultipartUploadParts"
      ],
      "Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::YOUR-BUCKET-NAME/*"
    }
  ]
}
```

Replace `YOUR-BUCKET-NAME` with your actual bucket name.

<Warning>Only grant the minimum permissions listed above. Do not use `s3:*` or attach the `AmazonS3FullAccess` policy.</Warning>

## Step 3: Generate access keys

1. In the IAM Console, click on your new user
2. Go to the **Security credentials** tab
3. Under **Access keys**, click **Create access key**
4. Select **Third-party service** as the use case
5. Copy both the **Access Key ID** and **Secret Access Key**

<Warning>The Secret Access Key is only shown once. Save it securely before closing the dialog.</Warning>

## Step 4: Connect in SaveMate

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Cloud Sync">
    Navigate to [savemate.io/cloud-sync](https://savemate.io/cloud-sync) and sign in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Connect on AWS S3">
    Find the AWS S3 card and click **Connect**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your credentials">
    Fill in the connection form:

    * **Access Key ID** — Your IAM user's access key
    * **Secret Access Key** — Your IAM user's secret key
    * **Bucket name** — Your S3 bucket name
    * **Region** — The AWS region where your bucket is located
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test and save">
    SaveMate validates the credentials by attempting a test upload. If successful, the connection is saved.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How uploads work

S3 uses **multipart upload** for files over 100MB:

* Files are split into 10MB parts
* Parts upload in parallel for maximum speed
* Uploads can be **paused and resumed** at any time
* Supports files up to 50TB
* Failed parts are automatically retried

For files under 100MB, SaveMate uses a direct single-request upload via presigned URLs.

## Managing the connection

### Update credentials

If you rotate your IAM access keys:

1. Generate new keys in the IAM Console
2. Go to Cloud Sync settings in SaveMate
3. Update the credentials on the S3 card

### Disconnect

Click disconnect on the S3 card to remove the connection. Your bucket and files are not affected — only the SaveMate connection is removed.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Access denied error">
    Verify that your IAM policy includes all required actions (`PutObject`, `CreateMultipartUpload`, `UploadPart`, `CompleteMultipartUpload`, `AbortMultipartUpload`, `ListMultipartUploadParts`) and that the Resource ARN matches your bucket name.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Wrong region error">
    S3 bucket names are globally unique but buckets exist in specific regions. Make sure the region in SaveMate matches where your bucket was created.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Upload timeout">
    Large file uploads over slow connections can time out. Try:

    * Using a more stable connection
    * Pausing and resuming the upload to reset the connection
    * Checking if your S3 bucket has any lifecycle policies that might interfere
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>