How to Download YouTube Videos

Nowadays, YouTube is the first place over a billion people watch billions of hours protected by copyright material and upload hundreds of thousands new videos every day. YouTube Everyone knows YouTube be it for how-to videos, music videos and anything in between. This is great for the times when streaming isn’t possible, you’re going to be offline or want to save your mobile data, perhaps. In such a scenario having download YouTube videos for offline viewing is the only feature that saves the day.

Here is the ultimate guide to how you can download YouTube videos. We will go into the legality of things, different methods for various devices and how to guarantee safe and efficient download.

Understanding the Legal Aspects of Downloading YouTube Videos

But before we get there, you need to be aware of the legal problems that racking up YouTube downloads can land you in. YouTube prohibits downloading videos without explicit permission from the platform, as per their Terms of Service. YouTube offers a YouTube Premium service download option that permits users to lawfully save videos for offline watching. The feature is within the YouTube app, and any requests to download a video with it will be buried in your subscription as offline watching material.

Nevertheless, there are third-party tools and software that grant you access to download videos from YouTube outside of its official channels. The problem with these tools is that even though they are widely used, the live in a legal grey zone. Generally, no enforcement comes down on downloading videos for personal use, but should you be caught redistributing or reusing them commercially — well! Download content responsibly and legally by abiding with your local laws or YouTube norms.

Method 1: Using YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is the most straightforward and legal way to download YouTube videos. This subscription service offers several perks, including ad-free viewing, background play, access to YouTube Music, and the ability to download videos for offline viewing.

Steps to Download Videos Using YouTube Premium

Subscribe to YouTube Premium: You can do this on YouTube or through one the app and inevitably there is going to be a subscription price (and free trial for 1 month) if you are not already subscribed to Youtube Premium.
Open the YouTube App: Type the app into your phone or tablet. · Open and operate in the Youtube. Ensure that you are logged in to the account holding your Premium subscription
Search for the Video: Use the search bar to find the video you want to download.
Download the Video: You will see the download button (down arrow) below video. Click on this button to Download Video. You will be able to download it and you can also choose the quality of your downloaded file depending on how much space do have in database as well as Internet connection.
Access Your Downloads: Once downloaded, the video will be available in the “Library” or “Account” section under “Downloads.” You can watch it anytime, even without an internet connection.
Manage Your Downloads: If space is an issue, then you can remove downloaded videos or simply download them with lesser quality and free up some of the valuable real estate on your internal storage. With YouTube Premium, you can also make your downloads auto-update while on Wi-Fi.

Method 2: Downloading YouTube Videos on a Desktop

For those that would like to take YouTube videos offline on a PC instead of watching them you have multiple options. With these tools, you can download videos in different formats and qualities Let us examine some popular software’s down below.

Option 1: 4K Video Downloader

The tool is called 4K Video Downloader, and since it has both a free as well a premium version available for download online, numerous YouTube users have already benefited from using the software to rip audio off videos.

How to Use 4K Video Downloader

Download and Install the Software: Go to the 4K Video Downloader site and download it for your operating system (e.g. Windows, MacOS or Linux). Keep on Guiding you the installation steps.
Copy the YouTube Video URL: Visit YouTube, locate the video you want to download and copy & paste that same page URL.
Paste the URL into 4K Video Downloader: Click on the “Paste Link” button to open 4K Video Downloader. The video details will be auto-fetched.
Select Format and Quality: You’ll be presented with options to choose the format (MP4, MKV, FLV) and the quality (360p, 720p, 1080p, 4K, etc.). Choose the one that suits your needs.
Download the Video: To start the download, simply click on Download to complete. Once it is downloaded, you can keep an eye on the progress and access to the path where video get saved.
Advanced Features: 4K Video Downloader can grab whole playlists, as well as all the videos from a channel and even save entire playlists or music channels of your own within its app for easy downloading.

Option 2: YTD Video Downloader

YTD Video Downloader is a free tool that allows you to download and convert YouTube videos into other formats such as MP3.

Steps to Use YTD Video Downloader

Download and Install YTD Video Downloader: Go to the YTD Video Downloader website and download the installer. Follow the instructions to install the software on your computer.
Copy the Video URL: Similar to 4K Video Downloader, find the YouTube video you want to download and copy the URL.
Paste the URL into YTD: Open the YTD Video Downloader and paste the URL into the input box.
Choose Format and Quality: Select the desired format and quality. YTD also offers an option to download the video and convert it to a different format (e.g., MP4 to MP3).
Download and Convert: Click on the “Download” button. The software will first download the video and then convert it to your chosen format if needed.
Locate the Downloaded File: Once the process is complete, you can find the file in the output folder you specified.

Option 3: Online Video Downloaders (No Software Required)

If you don’t wish to get a video downloader on your computer, they are a good alternative. You can use these websites that will let you download videos from YouTube by pasting the URL on the site.

Popular Online Downloaders

Y2Mate: Y2Mate is one of the most well-known online video downloaders. It’s simple to use and supports downloading videos in various formats and resolutions.
SaveFrom.net: Another popular option, SaveFrom.net, provides a browser extension and a web-based downloader for quick downloads.
KeepVid: KeepVid offers a similar service with the added ability to download videos from multiple platforms, including Facebook and Vimeo.

How to Use an Online Video Downloader

Visit the Downloader Website: Open your web browser and go to the site of your chosen online downloader.
Paste the Video URL: Copy the YouTube video URL and paste it into the input box on the downloader’s website.
Select Format and Quality: Choose the format and quality of the video you wish to download. Some sites offer additional options like downloading subtitles or just the audio.
Download the Video: Click the “Download” button. The video will be saved to your computer.
Check for Ads and Pop-ups: Be cautious with online downloaders, as they often have ads and pop-ups. Ensure you’re clicking the correct download button.

Method 3: Downloading YouTube Videos on Mobile Devices

Downloading YouTube videos straight to your phone or tablet is a little bit more of the pain because you cannot just save it directly from where you are, no thanks in part to due app restrictions on iOS. Still, there are a few apps and workarounds that allow you to manage the above.

Option 1: TubeMate (Android)

TubeMate is a popular app among Android users for downloading YouTube videos. Note that TubeMate is not available on the Google Play Store, so you’ll need to download it from the official website or a trusted source.

Steps to Use TubeMate

Download TubeMate: Go to the official TubeMate website and download the APK file. Make sure to allow installations from unknown sources in your device settings.
Install the App: Open the APK file and follow the instructions to install TubeMate on your Android device.
Search for the Video: Open TubeMate, and you’ll see a YouTube-like interface. Use the search bar to find the video you want to download.
Choose Format and Quality: Tap the green download button, and you’ll be prompted to choose the format and quality of the video.
Download the Video: Tap on the download button again to start the download. The video will be saved to your device’s storage, and you can access it through the TubeMate app or your gallery.

Option 2: Documents by Readdle (iOS)

For iPhone and iPad users, Documents by Readdle provides a clever workaround for downloading YouTube videos.

How to Download Videos Using Documents by Readdle

Download the App: Install Documents by Readdle from the App Store.
Copy the Video URL: Open the YouTube app or Safari, find the video you want to download, and copy the URL.
Use the Built-in Browser: Open Documents by Readdle and tap on the browser icon (a compass) in the bottom right corner. In the browser, visit an online video downloader like Y2Mate.
Paste the URL and Download: Paste the copied YouTube video URL into the downloader’s input box, choose the format and quality, and download the video.
Save the Video: The video will be saved within the Documents app. You can move it to your Camera Roll or another location on your device.

Option 3: VidMate (Android)

VidMate is another Android app that allows you to download YouTube videos, as well as videos from other platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Using VidMate to Download Videos

Download VidMate: VidMate is not on the Play Store. therefore, you have to download it from its official website or a reliable APK provider.
Install VidMate: Open the APK file and install VidMate on your device.
Search and Download Videos: There is also a search function provided where you can find the YouTube video in VidMate itself. Then just select your wanted quality and download the video to your device

Method 4: Using Browser Extensions

Browser Add-Ons Probably the fastest and easiest solution out there is to install a browser add-on. Sign into your Google Account these extensions installs on the browser and let you download any videos with one single click.

Popular Browser Extensions

Video DownloadHelper (Firefox and Chrome): As one of the most used browser extensions, Video DownloadHelper has been installed more than 7 million times. It is available for Firefox as well as Chrome.
YouTube Video Downloader (Chrome): A few Chrome extensions are available to download YouTube videos, and the most popular of these has become a bit more difficult.If you run a site that is supported by advertising, it should be one-hit easy.
FastestTube (Safari): FastestTube is a Safari extension that offers integration with the YouTube interface and also allows downloading videos from within the page.

How to Use a Browser Extension

Install the Extension: Visit the extension store of your browser and search for whatever video downloader you would like to use. Run below command to install it as per the instructions
Find the Video: Open YouTube in your browser and find the video you want to download.
Download the Video: The download button will appear on the video page directly depending upon the extension otherwise you have to click on an extension icon in your toolbar. After that, select the format and quality in which you want to get this video on your PC.
Manage Downloads: Some extensions allow you to manage multiple downloads simultaneously, pause or resume downloads, and choose default settings for format and quality.

Advanced Techniques: Downloading YouTube Playlists and Channels

Sometimes, you need to downloads full playlist or all videos from one channel. This can also come in handy for designing an entire offline library of a bunch (set) tutorials, courses or series.

Using 4K Video Downloader for Playlists and Channels

4K Video Downloader is particularly well-suited for downloading playlists and channels. Here’s how to do it:

Manage Downloads: Some extensions allow you to manage multiple downloads simultaneously, pause or resume downloads, and choose default settings for format and quality.
Paste the URL in 4K Video Downloader: Open the software and hit on “Paste Link” icon. The playlist or channel will be picked up by the downloader.
Choose Settings: You can choose to download the entire playlist or select specific videos. You can also decide the format and quality for each video.
Choose Settings: You can choose to download the entire playlist or select specific videos. You can also decide the format and quality for each video.
Choose Settings: You can choose to download the entire playlist or select specific videos. You can also decide the format and quality for each video.

Tips for Safe and Efficient Downloading

Avoid Malicious Software: Stick to reputable downloaders and websites to avoid malware and viruses. Always scan downloaded files with antivirus software.
Check for Updates: It is important to update your downloading software as soon as the new version has been released, this will ensure that it remains compatible with any changes and improvements made by YouTube.
Use a VPN: So, if you are worried about privacy then better use VPN(Virtual Private Network) to hide your ip while downloading the videos.
Respect Copyright: Always respect copyright laws and YouTube’s terms of service. Download videos for personal use only and avoid sharing or redistributing downloaded content.

Conclusion

By downloading a YouTube video, you can watch your favorite content offline or save some data and build up your library of videos. if you prefer to opt for YouTube Premium as a legal, above-board course of action or if you go in search of third-party tools for some more flexibility this guide will stand by your side throughout the process and give all details on how best to download videos via YouTube safely & efficiently.

Remember, of course to be aware of the legal issues and but always make sure you are using these tools in a responsible manner. Choose the approach that best suits you, and enjoy your beloved YouTube videos without an internet connection.