---
title: "How do I approve if assets should be downloaded?"
date: "2025-01-09T14:09:59+00:00"
summary:
image:
type: "page"
url: "/acquia-dam/how-do-i-approve-if-assets-should-be-downloaded"
id: "a2c9df98-80e4-4af3-831d-c3a0554188ca"
---

You may require that assets be approved for [download](How-do-I-download-assets) (order) before download takes place. If download approval is required, the Download button will display only in the Selection panel, not in asset thumbnails in search results. Users should add assets to the Selection panel and use the options there to obtain approval from you.  
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Approvals may be required for the following:

*   A specific set of assets (e.g., assets in specific [asset group](/acquia-dam/how-do-asset-groups-and-asset-categories-differ "How do asset groups and asset categories differ?"))
*   A specific sets of users (e.g., users in a specific user [role](How-do-I-create-roles))
*   A specific format type (e.g., assets in Photoshop format or other format specified)
*   A specific quantity of downloads at a single time or designated over a certain period of time

  
If a download includes even one asset that needs approval, the entire order will need to be approved before assets can be downloaded. As a result, it's helpful to use [flags](How-do-I-create-asset-groups) for asset groups that require approval.  
 

See downloads that require approval
-----------------------------------

From the [user-related tasks queue](What-user-related-tasks-are-on-the-Admin-dashboard) on the Admin dashboard, you can see orders that require approval in the Unapproved Orders queue. From there, select an order number to review and approve or deny downloads, or click the checkmark or X in the Options column to approve or deny the order. If approved, a pickup link will be emailed to recipients.  
  

![See a list of orders that require approval from the Unapproved Orders queue on the Admin dashboard.](https://acquia.widen.net/content/dc84b84b-425c-460b-87dd-26844b850f30/web/ka0Pb0000006pav00N6g00000WDN1a0EM6g000005Lvqo.png)

Those who are downloading do not have the ability to indicate why they're downloading assets, but if you deny the download, you can indicate a reason for denial, and that will be shared with them.  
 

Permissions

To approve downloads, the Access Admin Tools DAM [permission](What-does-each-permission-mean) must be enabled, along with the Administrate Orders for Users in Role user permission. Anyone in this role will receive notification to approve downloads, so it's important to determine who with this role is responsible for that.  
  
For roles that need approval to download, select the asset group permissions (Order Active Assets, Order Expired Assets, Order Unreleased Assets) and choose to require order approval for the asset group. This should be done for each asset group where approval is needed.  
  

![Customize asset group permissions by selecting order options for each asset group and requiring order approval.](https://acquia.widen.net/content/ef563b57-73d6-4d66-811d-5d1a34971289/web/ka0Pb0000006pav00N6g00000WDN1a0EM6g000005Lvqn.png)