How to Download YouTube Videos on Mobile & Desktop

How to Download YouTube Videos on Mobile & Desktop in 2024 (Android, iOS, Mac, PC)

Published on: April 16, 2023
Last Updated: April 16, 2023

How to Download YouTube Videos on Mobile & Desktop in 2024 (Android, iOS, Mac, PC)

Published on: April 16, 2023
Last Updated: April 16, 2023

If you want to save videos from YouTube to watch later, you will need to learn how to download YouTube videos efficiently for your device.

With the right tool, you can download YouTube videos into formats like Mpeg, MP4, and more.

You can also convert videos on YouTube to MP3 files if you’re just wanting to download the audio.

With many different approaches to downloading and accessing videos from YouTube, we wrote this article so that you could work out the most efficient methods to download YouTube videos.

How to Download YouTube Videos in 2024

The good news is that downloading videos from YouTube is a straightforward and simple process. The first thing that you will want to do is use a video converter.

Using a YouTube downloader is the quickest way for you to download your YouTube videos.

The first thing that you will need to do is choose a download converter or tool.

Option 1: 4K Downloader

4K Downloader

4K Downloader is one of the best in the market and works with Linux, Mac, and Windows.

It also offers other features like being able to save playlists, bulk download, and downloads in different video qualities.

👉 Get 4K Downloader FREE

You can even extract YouTube subtitles and save them in more than 50 languages. They offer a 14-day money-back guarantee as well.

Because it is free for you to use, you can afford them even if you don’t have a lot of financial backing to download your favorite YouTube videos.

They are trusted by millions of clients already, and you can get to know them thoroughly on their site so that you can decide whether they are going be capable of downloading all the videos you are wanting or not.

They can assist you not just with downloading single videos, but they are able to assist you with downloading channels and playlists as well.

You can extract YouTube subtitles, and you can also get you videos in high quality, so nothing is going to be lost in the process of downloading your favorite content.

If you want to use a proxy while you download YouTube videos to keep you anonymous, they have features for this as well.

Option 2: YT Saver

YT Saver - how to download YouTube videos om mobile and desktop

Being able to download YouTube videos has never been easier with YT Saver.

This YouTube video downloader is great if you want to be able to not only download YouTube videos but convert them as well, into a host of other formats.

👉 Download YT Saver FREE

If you are using Mac or Windows, you can capitalize on their free download, and considering this YouTube video downloader has a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating on Trustpilot, we think that a lot of people have had a really good experience with them.

You can not only download single videos, but you can download playlists too, and everything that you download is going to be in a high-quality format.

If you want to go beyond YouTube and download videos from other popular video apps and sites like TikTok, this app is going to make it incredibly easy to do so.

Because the software has been built into their browser, you also don’t have to worry about downloading any software to your computer.

YT Saver has a free version and a PRO version. The free version works just fine, but if you do want to upgrade to the PRO version, please use this coupon to save 20%.

What to Look for in a YouTube Downloading Tool

Video Quality:

A YouTube downloading tool needs to be able to provide you with high video quality when being able to download YouTube videos.

You should be able to also customize the quality of the video based on your personal preferences.

Subtitles:

Of course, you might not necessarily want to download YouTube videos in English. If this is the case, then subtitles are really important when downloading a video from YouTube.

Bulk downloading:

If you are someone who wants to be able to download YouTube videos en masse, or you want to be able to consistently download videos over time from YouTube, then you need to look for a YouTube downloading tool that can accommodate this, and help you download more than one file at the same time.

File format compatibility:

You also might want to download YouTube videos in a number of different formats including MP4, MP3, or AAC.

Video editor:

Maybe you want to look at a song that’s in the middle of video. Or you want to edit out a specific part of the video.

You will want to choose a video downloading tool that can help you download YouTube videos and edit out specific parts of the video so that you can tweak it to your liking.

Speed:

The tool needs to be able to help you convert and download videos quickly when thinking about being able to download YouTube videos.

Download times shouldn’t be affected by fluctuations in Wi-Fi connectivity and the Internet.

Copy the URL from YouTube

If you’re using an online video downloading tool, then you will need to go to YouTube, and open the video that you want to download.

From here, you can easily copy and paste the video link that you will find displayed in the box.

You can open your tool in a new tab, and once it is opened, there will be a text box where you can enter your URL.

how to download YouTube videos - copy the URL

If you’re using a downloadable tool, you’ll need to download and install the tool to your desktop.

Once you are running it, it is going to offer the same options so that you can copy and paste the URL.

Just make sure that you don’t sign up for a company that offers unnecessary software that you will need to download too.

You might also want to consider other YouTube apps that work with different smartphone brands.

Choose the Video Quality and File Format

Once you have pasted the YouTube URL of your video, you will get a number of different choices.

The tool is going to ask you what kind of video format you want to download, as well as the file size, and video quality.

Choose the option that you want and select ‘download’.

If you’re wanting to download in bulk, you can also specify a folder on your desktop where you want to save all of your downloaded YouTube videos.

If you’re using a VPN, then you might want to change your location for correct downloads.

How to Download Videos Directly from YouTube

The good news is that you don’t necessarily always have to use a YouTube video downloader to download your favorite videos from YouTube.

Find the video that you want to download.

Include ‘ss’ in the URL.

You will need to put ‘ss’ in the URL of the video that you want to download, and it will need to be after the WWW, but before YouTube.

Once you have done this, just select ‘enter’, and then you will be directed to a free download site.

Go to the Site

Once you have been redirected, you will see that there are a number of different services that you can make the most of so you don’t have to install or download anything.

You will see a text editor that already has the URL of the video, which means that you don’t need to copy and paste anything.

This also means that your video is ready to be downloaded, all you have to do is select the ‘download’ button. You also get to choose the quality of the video and the format.

How to Download YouTube Videos on PC with a Browser Add-On

You might not want to play around with the URL of the YouTube video, and you might not even want to use a third-party tool to get those videos onto your computer.

If this is the case, then you can use the add-on in your browser.

Select your Add-On

There is an add-on for pretty much everything that you can think to need, and the good news is that there are a number of different options when it comes to downloading YouTube videos.

Some of them have been developed for Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, so choose the one that suits you needs the best.

Download your Add-On

This process is really simple with Opera.

All you need to do is select the ‘add to Opera’ option that is displayed in green.

Just make sure that you download the right add-on related to the browser that you’re using. Otherwise, it won’t work.

Once you’ve downloaded it, you can install it. You might need to restart your computer to do this.

Go to YouTube

Next, you’ll need to go to the YouTube video that you’re wanting to download. You will notice an icon at the top of your screen to the right if you’re using Opera.

You will get a number of different options, including a download panel, quick download, conversion tool, and settings.

Select ‘quick download’, and you will be able to install the video in your system.

You won’t be able to directly download the video from YouTube unless you’re using an add-on.

Choose the File Format

The majority of add-ons out there offer you a number of different options when it comes to saving the video.

You can choose between a number of different video qualities, as well as formats.

How to Download YouTube Videos Using a Virtual Desktop

Another easy way to download YouTube videos is to use a virtual desktop.

Find the YouTube video

Find the video that you want to download, and once you have done this, select the enter button, so that the video begins to play.

Include ‘vd’ in the URL

You will want to include VD in the URL, and you’ll want to do this before YouTube, and after www. Once you’ve done this, you can select the enter button.

You’ll be redirected to the Django website, for the video that you’re wanting to download.

vdyoutube

Choose the Quality and Format

Now, you can choose the quality of the video and the format.

Download the video

Once you have selected the ‘download’ choice, it will only take a moment before it is integrated onto your computer.

How to Download YouTube Videos with VLC Player

If you don’t have VLC on your computer, then you can always download it.

It’s secure and it’s going to make it really easy for you to download YouTube videos.

  1. Go to YouTube, and find the video that you want to download, and copy the URL.
  2. Open VLC media player.
  3. Select ‘open network stream’ under the ‘media’ option, which is relevant when you’re using Windows OS. If you are on a Mac, then it is going to be file and then ‘open network’.
  4. Open the media that you want to download, which involves pasting the URL of the YouTube video into the text editor.
  5. Codec information: You will need to select ‘tools’, that you will see at the top of your screen to the right, and there will be an option that is called ‘codec information’. A new window will come up.
  6. Location: You need to copy the information of your video from the location textbox, that you’ll see at the bottom of your page. This is pretty easy for Windows users. However, if you are on a Mac, you will need to right click, and select the ‘open URL’ choice.
  7. Copy and paste the URL. This step is irrelevant for Mac users.
  8. Save the video. The video should already be playing through your browser. Right click on it and choose ‘save video as.’
  9. Download the video. The video is now going to start downloading, and the default format is going to be MP4, and the default title of the video is going to be ‘video playback’.

How to Download YouTube Videos on Phones (Android, iPhone/iOS)

Downloading a YouTube video on phones is a bit more challenging.

However, there are two simple approaches to it.

Option 1

If you have an Android phone, then you can use an app that is called InsTube.

This makes it really easy for you to download videos to your phone, and it is free.

InsTube

Option 2

If you have an iPhone, then you aren’t going to be able to use this app to download your videos from YouTube.

The easiest way to do this is to get YouTube premium.

It is going to cost you $11.99 a month, but it’s worth it, because you can download and watch videos on your phone within the YouTube app.

You will also have access to YouTube Music, and if you don’t want to really have to download anything, you can use Apple AirDrop, where you can transfer any video files from your Apple computer to your smartphone, and then watch them like normal.

FAQs

Is Downloading a YouTube Video Legal?

YouTube makes it pretty clear with their terms and conditions what you can and can’t do on their platform.

If you download from YouTube without permission, and you sell them, this is committing copyright infringement, and it goes against their terms and conditions.

Therefore, downloading a YouTube video is technically a criminal act, but YouTube isn’t going around penalizing people for doing so.

There are a number of royalty-free videos on YouTube that have the right licenses which mean that you can download them legally.

Also, if you’re just using the video for personal use, it can be seen as legal.

This means that you can watch YouTube videos but only from applications associated with Google.

Of course, there are always going to be third-party apps that pop up on the Internet and let people easily download YouTube videos.

It is difficult to ban people that use these companies. At the end of the day, it is up to you whether you want to download YouTube videos.

What Music Can I Use When Making a YouTube Video?

When you film a video that is going to be posted to YouTube, you need to use music that is royalty-free.

This means the music that you choose shouldn’t violate the rights of the original artist.

YouTube has certain tracks that you can use for free, that you’ll find within the YouTube library.

What is YouTube Bulk Downloading?

YouTube bulk downloading is when you download more than one file at the same time.

Of course, how big the files are is going to determine how long it takes for all of them to be downloaded.

Can you download a video from YouTube?

Yes, you can download a video from YouTube by following the steps in the article above.

We talk about three different ways that you can download a video using a mobile device, extension, and video downloader for YouTube.

Can I download a video for free?

Yes, you are able to download a video from YouTube for free.

However, if you want to obtain higher quality videos, then we suggest that you go for 4K Download.

How to download YouTube videos to Android

The best way to download a video from YouTube to your Android phone is by using InsTube.

It’s simple and free.

Final Thoughts

The tools that we have talked about are going to help you download from YouTube, and you don’t even have to have a connection to the Internet.

👉 Get 4K Downloader FREE

Downloading videos from YouTube and storing them on your desktop or your phone will ensure that you never have to miss out on watching the videos that you love.

So, there it is, what we believe are the best methods on how to download YouTube videos in 2024.

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Written by Jason Wise

Hello! I’m the editor at EarthWeb, with a particular interest in business and technology topics, including social media, privacy, and cryptocurrency. As an experienced editor and researcher, I have a passion for exploring the latest trends and innovations in these fields and sharing my insights with our readers. I also enjoy testing and reviewing products, and you’ll often find my reviews and recommendations on EarthWeb. With a focus on providing informative and engaging content, I am committed to ensuring that EarthWeb remains a leading source of news and analysis in the tech industry.