YouTube is the world’s biggest on-demand video platform. Indeed, almost 30 million people everyday view 5 billion videos on YouTube.
If you wish to save YouTube videos for later viewing, you must first understand how to do it properly. YouTube videos may be downloaded in a variety of formats, including AVI, MP4, and MPEG. Alternatively, if you simply want the audio track from a YouTube video, you may convert it to MP3 format.
With so many options for downloading and streaming videos, I compiled a list of the best methods to download YouTube videos on your desktop and mobile devices.
Allow me to begin.
How to Download YouTube Videos: The Steps Involved
The method to download videos from YouTube is easy and uncomplicated.
The first method is to utilize a video converter for downloading YouTube videos.
Using a Video Downloading Tool to Download YouTube Videos
The quickest approach to download YouTube videos is to use a YouTube downloader. Consider the following in detail:
Select a Downloader/Converter:
To begin, choose the finest YouTube downloader available.
4K Downloader, in my view, is the greatest tool on the market. I have been using this for quite some time now. In fact, I am so impressed with it that I upgraded to a Pro account only recently.
4K Downloader is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux and includes useful features like as bulk downloading, playlist storing, and downloading videos in 720p, 1080p, and 4k resolutions. Additionally, you may extract and store subtitles in YouTube videos in 50+ languages.
Try out 4K Downloader today. If you purchase a premium version, you will be entitled for a 14-day money back guarantee.
There are a few different tools available, and although the free versions are adequate, the commercial ones provide far superior quality.
Consider the Following When Choosing a YouTube Downloading Tool:
- Batch Downloading – You may download the files one by one or in bulk depending on YouTube playlists. If you like a certain band, you may want to get their whole discography. Additionally, if you like a certain filmmaker, you may choose to obtain their complete filmography.
- Integrated Video Editor – You may choose to watch a certain music inside a video. Alternatively, you may choose to cut out a certain segment of a film. Video editing requirements might develop at any moment, making it a necessary component of a YouTube video downloader. You might try Any Video Converter (AVC), which has an integrated editor.
- Speed – The utility should be capable of rapidly downloading and converting videos. In an ideal world, download times should be unaffected by changes in wi-fi and internet connection.
- Subtitles – We all like watching videos in a variety of languages. Subtitles are required in certain instances while streaming the video on YouTube Premium or YouTube. Obviously, you’d want to get those specific videos with subtitles.
- Support for Multiple File Formats – Within your file manager, you may wish to download videos and store them in a variety of different formats. Having a variety of formats to pick from, such as FLAC, MP4, MP3, or AAC, enables more flexibility.
- Video Quality – For optimal viewing, the converted video file must be of standard quality. In an ideal world, you must be able to alter the video’s quality. The video quality may be low, moderate, or high. It’s much better if you can select a particular video resolution, such as 360p, 720p, or 1080p.
Copy The YouTube Video’s URL:
Assume you’re using an online video downloader. In this scenario, you’ll want to go to YouTube and access the video you’re interested in downloading.
Copy the URL of the YouTube video and paste it in the box you see on the online downloader’s page.
The utility may be opened in a new tab on the browser. When it opens, a text box will appear for you to input the URL.
Here is a snapshot from y2mate, which includes a link to the video. Simply put the URL into the text field and select the ‘Start’ button. Additionally, some websites may provide buttons that indicate ‘Download’ or ‘Go.’
If you’re utilizing a downloadable tool, the program must first be downloaded and installed on your computer. Once you’ve launched it, you’ll see the same choices for copying and pasting the URL of the video that you want to convert or download.
Additionally, be cautious of unwanted software that you may be required to download. Avoid them at all costs. Keepvid is a wonderful option that enables you to download videos on iPad, Apple MacOS, Android devices, and iPhone.
Additionally, you may want to investigate other YouTube applications that are available in the Google Play Store or function with different handsets. Additionally, if you’re downloading videos from Vimeo so that you can watch them offline, you have a variety of different alternatives.
Select the Video’s File Format and Quality.
After pasting the URL of the YouTube video into the text box, you’ll be presented with a slew of options. For instance, y2mate enables you to select the format of the video, the quality you want, and the size of the video file.
Finally, click “download” after selecting the option you like.
Additionally, several programs let you to download YouTube videos in a variety of formats, including MPG, WMV, ASF, AVI, 3GP, M2TS, FLV, 3G2, SWF, MKV, HTML5 WEBM, WEBM, HTML5, and HTML5 OGG.
If you’re searching for bulk downloads, you can also designate a folder on your computer to which all downloaded movies and other videos should be saved. If you’re using a VPN, you may experience some confusion, since programs often prioritize your IP address above the video URL you input. Therefore, if you use a VPN, you may wish to modify your location to ensure correct downloads.
How Do You Directly Download YouTube Videos?
You are not needed to utilize a YouTube video downloader. It’s rather straightforward to download YouTube videos from the YouTube website directly.
The following are the steps:
1. Navigate to The Video.
Open your browser and visit the YouTube website. Find the video that you desire to download from YouTube.
2. Incorporate ‘ss’ into the URL.
Then, in the address bar of your browser window, modify the URL. Simply add ‘ss’ at the end of ‘www.’ but ensure that you are putting before ‘youtube.com.’
Now just press the “Enter” or command key on your keyword.
Following that, you will be led to a free download site.
3. Visit the Download Page
Once redirected, you may access a variety of free services without having to download and install anything. When you hit the ‘Enter’ key, you are sent to the website of an online downloader service.
You will notice that the text box contains the video URL pre-populated, thus there is no need to copy the link and paste it. Additionally, your video is available for download — all you have to do is hit the ‘Download’ button.
Furthermore, you get to pick the video’s quality and format. Finally, select the “download” button, and your video clip will be downloaded within a few seconds.
How Do You Use Browser Add-Ons to Download YouTube Videos?
You may want to avoid tinkering with the YouTube video URL. Additionally, some of you may not choose to download your preferred video clips via a third-party website.
In this instance, using browser add-ons is the ideal alternative.
1. Decide on an Add-on.
Almost everything you might want is available as an add-on.
The best part is that downloading YouTube videos is easy with a choice of options.
Some are optimized for use with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari, while others are stand-alone applications.
Here’s an example of a comparable add-on for Opera named ‘YouTube Video and Audio Downloader.’
2. Install the Add-on.
Opera makes the procedure easy. And it’s much the same for other major browsers as well.
Simply click on the green ‘Add to Opera’ button in Opera. Additionally, ensure that you download the relevant add-on for the browser you prefer using. They will not function otherwise.
Install the add-on after it has been downloaded. If the add-in fails to function properly after installation, restart your browser, and even better, restart the computer.
3. Navigate to YouTube.
Following that, go to the YouTube video clip you want to grab. When you arrive, you’ll see a symbol in the upper right-hand corner (for Opera users).
Installing and using this add-on will present the following options:
- Conversion tool
- Download panel
- Quick download
- Settings
Following that, click on the “quick download” option to download the video clip on your PC.
Unless you utilize an add-on, you will not be able to download directly from YouTube regardless of whatever browser you use.
4. Select a File Format.
The majority of add-ons give a number of alternatives for saving the video. Numerous formats and video quality levels are available. Typically, a pop-up window appears throughout the download selection process, requesting your choices.
How Do You Use a Virtual Desktop to Download YouTube Videos?
Another simple method for downloading YouTube videos is to use a Virtual Desktop (VD).
This is how you do it.
1. Navigate to the YouTube Video You Want to Download.
To begin, go to YouTube and input the title of the video you wish to see and download. Once you’ve completed this and pressed the ‘Enter’ key, the video will begin playing.
2. Include “vd” in the URL.
Now, the procedure is identical to that of directly downloading movies by appending ‘ss’ to the URL. In this instance, you must alter the video’s URL and include the words ‘vd’ after ‘www.’ and before ‘youtube.’
Following the modification, hit the ‘Enter’ button. Following so, you will be taken to the Django website associated with the video you desire to download.
3. Select the Video Quality and Format.
Scroll down the VDYouTube page to choose the video’s format and resolution. You may proceed based on your requirements.
4. Save the YouTube Video to Your Computer.
After you click on the “download” button, it will take just a few seconds for the service to download and save the video clip on your computer’s hard disk.
How Do You Use a VLC Player to Download YouTube Videos?
If your computer does not already have the famous VLC media player, you may download it. VLC Media Player is a safe application that makes it simple to download YouTube videos. And don’t worry, it is entirely free.
This is how you download YouTube videos using VLC media player:
1. Navigate to the YouTube video and copy the link.
Navigate to YouTube and click on the video you’d want to download. Following that, copy the video’s URL.
2. Launch the VLC media player.
Ideally, you should launch the VLC media player prior to this step. If you haven’t already done it, you need to do it now.
3. New network stream.
When the VLC media player opens, go to the ‘Media’ option. It is present in the menu. Click on it.
Following that, choose the ‘Open Network Stream’ option. Follow these steps only when you are utilizing a Windows operating system.
If you are a Mac user, the sequence is FILE > OPEN NETWORK.
4. Open Media.
In this step, regardless of the operating system you’re running, you will be presented with a page that contains a text editor. This is the place where you need to paste the video URL you copied from YouTube.
5. Select the ‘Play’ button.
When you choose the ‘play’ option, VLC begins playing the video.
6. Codec Information.
Then, in the upper right-hand corner, pick the ‘Tools’ option. There is a section titled ‘codec information.’ Additionally, you may get the ‘codec details’ option by pressing ‘CTRL + J’.
A new window emerges after you select the ‘codec information.’
7. Location.
The window appears as follows:
You must copy the video’s information from the “location” box located at the bottom of the page. This stage is very self-explanatory for Windows users.
If you’re a Mac user, though, you must right-click the box and choose the option called ‘Open URL.’
8. Copy-Paste the URL.
If you are using a Windows-based computer, you have already copied the location. Paste it into your web browser, then hit ‘Enter.’ For Mac users, this step is superfluous.
9. Save the Video.
The video should now start playing right in the browser. Perform a right-click action on the video and choose ‘Save video as.’
10. Download the Video.
The video will begin downloading shortly. MP4 will be the default format, and the clip will be saved on your computer hard disk with the title ‘videoplayback’. Once the video has been downloaded, rename it and save it in a desired location.
While the procedure may seem extensive at first glance, it’s really rather straightforward after you’ve completed it.
How to Download YouTube Video Clips on Your Mobile Device?
It’s a little more difficult to download a YouTube video on your mobile device.
However, I’ve provided you with two straightforward methods for downloading them on your mobile devices.
Option #1: If you happen to be an Android phone user, you may utilize the InsTube application. This software simplifies and frees the process of downloading YouTube clips to your phone.
Option #2: If you are an iPhone user, your device will be running on iOS. In that case you will be unable to download YouTube videos using InsTube.
The quickest method to do this is to subscribe to the YouTube Premium service. It’s $11.99 a month, but it’s well worth it. Within the YouTube app, you may download and view videos directly on your phone. From a legal perspective, this method is going to keep you away from troubles.
You’ll have access to popular “YouTube music,” allowing you to begin streaming not just videos but music as well.
Using Apple AirDrop is a free way to do this.
Simply transfer the downloaded video clips from Mac to your iPhone and view them as you would any other video. You can use a free service like that of y2mate to grab the videos from YouTube. Once you have the videos transfer them to your mobile device and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Is It Legal to Download YouTube Videos?
Violating their terms of service include downloading video clips without authorization, selling those clips, and performing copyright infringement.
While downloading YouTube clips technically constitutes a crime, YouTube has said that it has no intention of penalizing users for downloading video clips. Downloading some royalty-free videos from YouTube with the appropriate permissions is lawful. Additionally, if the film is being used for personal purposes, it may be deemed permissible.
YouTube says, “You shall not copy, reproduce, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, or otherwise exploit any Content for any other purposes without the prior written consent of YouTube or the respective licensors of the Content.”
In simple words, you may see YouTube videos through Google apps exclusively.
Third-party programs, on the other hand, will continue to emerge online that enable individuals to download YouTube videos. It’s difficult to police or prohibit people who abuse them — you can still view YouTube videos even if you’re not logged in.
Finally, it is up to you to determine whether or not you should download YouTube videos for personal use.
What is a batch YouTube download?
When consumers use web browser add-ons, online services, or dedicated software to automatically download several YouTube clips to a specified folder on their device (mobile or computer), this is referred to as batch YouTube downloading.
Batch downloads are sometimes referred to as multi-part downloads. The primary reasons for batch downloading are that it is a convenient method to download several little files from a single URL and that the downloaded clips do not exceed the file size limitations set by some applications.
Several user download YouTube clips using third-party applications to expedite the process.
What music am I allowed to use in my YouTube videos?
YouTube enables users to freely utilize specific tunes from their YouTube collection.
Is it possible to download a video from YouTube?
Can I download videos from YouTube for free?
What is the most efficient method for downloa
The easiest method to download YouTube videos on a mobile device is via InsTube or YouTube Premium.
How can I download videos from YouTube to my Android device?
Concluding Remarks
That concludes my list of the best methods for downloading YouTube videos. To my mind, the best option is to use 4K Downloader — it’s the greatest program for video download and conversion and MP3 conversion.
This program enables you to view your fave YouTube videos at any time, even when you are not connected to the Internet. By downloading and saving movies on your phone or computer, you can ensure that you never miss the content you like.
Do you prefer to watch videos online or download them from YouTube? Which application do you use? Kindly inform me in the comments section below.