YouTube is the go-to platform for videos. While streaming is convenient, learning how to download YouTube videos has become a common quest for users looking to enjoy their favorite content offline. We’ve got the full rundown — dive in!
YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium lets users directly download ad-free videos from the official YouTube website. It grants unlimited access to YouTube Music and YouTube Kids, and allows you to download video quality ranges of up to 1080p or lower on the YouTube app.
It also provides the ability to save downloaded videos on other devices and watch them offline. However, you must have the YouTube app installed and be signed into your premium account on your device to access it.
Here are the steps for how to download videos using YouTube Premium:
- Open the YouTube app or website through a browser.
- Log in to your YouTube premium account.
- Find a video and click the three dots next to it. A dropdown list will appear.
- Choose Download. The video will be saved to the download folder.
Choose Download from the dropdown list.
Note: YouTube doesn’t allow you to use the video for purposes beyond offline viewing, so you can’t convert downloaded content into a desktop-friendly video file. Downloads will be accessible as long as your device connects to the internet at least once every 30 days.
Pricing
You can sign up for a one-month free trial or choose from one of the following subscription plans:
- Individual: Starting from $13.99/month
- Family: $22.99/month. Add up to five family members (ages 13+) in your household.
- Student: $7.99/month. Get one month free.
VLC Media Player
An open-source, cross-platform multimedia player, VLC is the holy grail for video watchers. Not only does it let you download content from YouTube, but it can play almost any video file format. VLC is available for desktop operating systems, such as Windows, Linux and macOS, and mobile platforms for free.
Downloading YouTube videos with VLC is simple. Follow the step-by-step guide below.
1. Open a video, highlight the URL in the browser and type Ctrl+C to copy it.
Copy the link from the address bar.
2. Open VLC.
3. Click Media (PC) or File (Mac). From there, click Open Network Stream (PC) or Open Network (Mac).
Click on Open Network Stream from the Media drop-down list.
4. Navigate to the Network tab and paste the URL in the text box that says Please enter a network URL. Hit Play.
Paste the URL and click on Play.
5. After the video playback starts, head to Tools and click Codec Information.
Select Codec Information from Tools.
6. At the bottom of the Codec Information pop-up, where it says Location, copy the video location.
Copy the video file location.
7. Open your browser, enter the video location into the address bar and hit Enter.
Start playback by pasting the link in a browser.
8. When the video begins playing in the browser, right-click the video and select Save As to save it to your device.
Mobile Devices
Before beginning, a word of caution: downloading videos through mobile phone applications is downright difficult. On iOS, you might face unfavorable situations, as Apple applications abide by Google’s rules.
Furthermore, YouTube itself prohibits users from downloading videos, as it wants viewers to be loyal to the platform. The more time a person spends on the website, the better. It enables YouTube to show more ads to users and, in turn, bring in more revenue.
At this point, you must be thinking of alternative ways to download videos from the website anyway. Way to go for your never-give-up spirit. That said, let’s look at how you can download videos despite the restrictions in place.
Android
YouTube Go
A smart app for your smartphone, YouTube Go is your one-stop platform for downloading YouTube videos legally and for free. Easy to use and intuitive, the application helps you conserve your precious network data while watching YouTube videos.
The app runs on less powerful gadgets with low or no internet connection. The software carefully learns user preferences and suggests top trending videos on the home page accordingly.
Its preview feature can also save you time, as it allows you to view a clip of a video before downloading. Here is how you can download YouTube videos with YouTube Go.
1. Open Google Play store and download YouTube Go.
2. Run YouTube Go and select the video you want to download.
Select a video to download on YouTube Go. Source
3. A dialog box will appear, providing you with the available resolution options.
Search for your preferred resolution. Source
4. Choose your preferred resolution and click on Download.
Click download in the dialog box. Source
The YouTube video will download and save in your phone’s memory.
iOS
So, when you look for apps to download YouTube videos on the App Store, you’ll find a bunch of options like VideoCopy, Video Saver and Float. But here’s the catch: none of these allow you to download YouTube videos. Strange, right? Most iOS apps say you can’t download YouTube videos because it’s against Apple’s terms of service.
But don’t worry, you’ve got a couple of options!
First, you could go for YouTube Premium. It lets you download videos so you can watch them offline on your iPhone or iPad.
Or, you can grab apps like Documents or Download & Read Free. Then, copy the link to the YouTube video you want from your phone’s browser (Safari or Chrome), open a website like SS YouTube in the app’s built-in browser and paste the video link to download it.
Easy peasy! Now you’ve got your video ready to watch whenever you want.
Browser Extensions
To download YouTube videos using browser extensions, follow these steps:
1. Select a reliable browser extension for video downloads, like Video DownloadHelper and YouTube Video Downloader by Addoncrop.
2. Visit the official website or the browser extension store to add the chosen extension to your browser. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
3. Once the extension is installed, find the YouTube video you want to download. The extension will typically add a download button below or beside the video.
4. Click on the download button, and a menu may appear with various download options, such as different video resolutions or formats. Select the desired option.
5. After choosing the download settings, click on the “Download” or equivalent button to start the download process.
Once the download is complete, you can usually find the video in your browser’s designated download folder. Alternatively, some extensions may allow you to choose a specific location for downloads.
Third-Party Desktop Software
The best place for downloading YouTube videos for free is third-party applications. While downloading content from YouTube remains strictly prohibited without YouTube Premium or YouTube Go, the site has never lashed out at users downloading videos via third-party apps.
Downloading a video through one of these apps is easy:
- Open a video on YouTube.
- Copy the link from the address bar or YouTube’s Share pop-up window.
- Paste the link in the third-party application of your choice where it says Post YouTube Video URL or something similar.
- Click Download and the application will start downloading your video.
Many of these third-party applications allow you to queue multiple YouTube videos to download all at once. However, the downside of third-party applications is that they take up a considerable amount of storage space on your phone or computer.
By Click Downloader
By Click Downloader provides provides you an optimum experience while downloading videos. Download and convert videos from YouTube and other social media sites with just one click.
However, you will need to purchase the software to download entire playlists and multiple videos at once.
It can convert files to many formats, including MP3, MP4, AVI, 3GP and WEBM. The application’s unique feature detects when you select a YouTube link and asks for your permission to start the download.
This tool can prove useful when you’re looking to download multiple videos from different sites. Its “one click and download” feature stands out from the competition.
Follow the steps below to start the download:
1. Open your browser and visit a YouTube page.
2. Select the URL from the address bar. A dialog box will appear in the bottom-right corner.
Copy the link from the address bar. Source
3. Select Download MP3 or Download Video according to your preference.
4. A list of the YouTube channel’s videos will appear. Unselect the ones you don’t want to download.
Select YouTube channel to download. Source
5. Choose a quality and video format.
Choose video quality. Source
6. Click Download.
Download video. Source
4K Video Downloader
One of the most versatile and popular YouTube downloaders is the 4K Video Downloader. Available on PC and Mac, this smart application lets you download 8K, 4K, 1080p and 720p videos in multiple formats, including MP4.
It automatically downloads subtitles and entire playlists and provides a seamless experience for users. You can copy the YouTube video link and paste it into 4K Video Downloader with no ad traps.
Furthermore, you have the option to multi-stream downloads through a proxy connection. You can purchase various licenses for the software, beginning at $10, or use the trial version.
4K Video Downloader. Source
WinX YouTube Downloader
WinX YouTube Downloader lets you download several videos on YouTube at once. With a user-friendly interface, the software is capable of downloading videos from more than 100 sites.
It’s easy to use, as you only need to copy the URL from the YouTube video and paste it into the Paste YouTube Link section. It’s capable of downloading 4K videos, but the WinX downloader falls short when it comes to 360-degree and 3D videos.
The whole download process takes a couple of minutes, so you can download the movie you are planning to watch offline without any ads.
Win X downloader. Source
ClipGrab
ClipGrab is a free and user-friendly YouTube video downloader that works on Windows, Mac and Linux. Once you’ve downloaded the app to your computer, copy the web address of the video you want to download and paste it into the input field on the app.
Before you hit the download button, you can pick the format and quality of your video. Just select your preferred options from the Format and Quality dropdown menus. If you’re curious about the formats ClipGrab supports, you can check out the FAQ.
Now, click on the Grab this Clip button. You’ll be prompted to choose a file name, and once you do, the download will start right away.
5KPlayer
An all-in-one media player and YouTube video downloader, 5KPlayer is one of the most popular downloaders out there. With integrated AirPlay technology, the application supports various video formats such as MP4, AVI, H.265/264, APE, FLAC and others. While it lets you select an entire playlist, you can only download one video at a time.
The software is compatible with Windows and macOS. In addition, it runs on computers and mobile devices. It provides options to convert videos quickly to your preferred medium. If you can overlook interface issues, this downloader should come in handy.
5KPlayer. Source
FlixGrab
A hub of download applications, FlixGrab provides several downloaders for YouTube, Netflix and other streaming platforms. The YouTube downloader has an easy-to-use interface that lets you download videos without hassle.
The application is free to use for the time being. It provides several options for users such as multiple downloads, HD-quality downloads and download controls, including start, pause and sound quality.
The app has many good reviews from users and has a valid license for downloads.
Download the video using FlixGrab. Source
VideoProc Converter
We’ve covered how to download YouTube videos, but what about editing them? VideoProc Converter from Digiarty is the answer. A powerful editing and video converter tool, it provides 4K video downloads from YouTube and various other websites.
Downloading videos with VideoProc is quite straightforward. Users need to click the Downloader button and add video URLs. Upon clicking on Download Now, the video will download.
Download video playlists using VideoProc Converter. Source
aTube Catcher
aTube Catcheris primarily designed for YouTube, but it’s compatible with hundreds of other sites. You can download videos across multiple social sites from a Microsoft Windows-compatible computer, and export them to multiple devices including iPads, PSPs, MP4 players and iPhones. The application supports a wide range of formats, including 3GP, XVID and MP4, and is not compatible with MacOS.
Furthermore, it lets you download multiple videos simultaneously, a feature not provided by some free video downloaders.
A word of caution: the installation process might show a malware problem, but you can easily overcome it by rejecting the first two download links.
To start downloading, follow these steps:
1. Open YouTube and copy the video URL.
2. Run aTube Catcher. Click on Download Videos.
Select Download Videos from the window. Source
3. Select the preferred video format and press Download.
Download preferred video format. Source
4. Your video will be downloaded.
Video is downloading. Source
Online Video Download Platforms
Several online helper websites facilitate downloading YouTube videos. Examples include Downloaderto, Y2mate and Catchvideo.net.
When using these websites, simply paste the YouTube video URL into the provided field, choose your preferred download format and quality, and then initiate the download.
Legal and Ethical Considerations for Downloading YouTube Videos
While downloading YouTube videos is an easy task, you should always exercise caution while doing it. Ethical behavior when downloading YouTube videos involves respecting copyright laws, adhering to YouTube’s terms of service and making informed choices that align with fair use principles and licensing agreements.
YouTube strongly condemns copyright infringements. Downloading copyrighted content without permission is a violation of laws that aim to protect the intellectual property rights of content creators on YouTube. For instance, only download videos when the creator gives permission, use them responsibly and don’t reupload a downloaded video.
Also, YouTube’s terms of service explicitly prohibit unauthorized video downloads and violating these terms may result in the suspension of your YouTube account. Additionally, some videos may be licensed under Creative Commons, so you must understand the terms of the license before downloading.
FAQs
Can I download free videos from YouTube?
Many online websites like SS YouTube and GiveFastLink allow you to download YouTube videos for free. You can also download videos to your YouTube account for offline viewing.
Can I download YouTube videos directly to my phone?
Yes, by using a mobile app that supports YouTube video download functionality.
How do I download a video from YouTube to my gallery?
You can use a third-party app or helper website to download a YouTube video and save it to your gallery.
Final Thoughts
After meticulous research, we’ve compiled these methods to teach you how to download YouTube videos.
They are game-changers when it comes to watching your favorite videos on the go without using an internet connection or all of your mobile data.
Let us know in the comments below which one is your favorite video downloader and why. Also, feel free to post suggestions.