Individuals watch greater than one billion hours of video on daily basis on YouTube, the go-to vacation spot for video for two-plus a long time. Why go wherever else when there’s a lot to observe? Nevertheless, generally you simply must have a kind of movies in your gadget. However is it authorized?
On the copyright entrance, so long as you are downloading a video in your personal private offline use, you are in all probability OK. That mentioned, Google’s phrases of service for YouTube say: “You aren’t allowed to…entry, reproduce, obtain, distribute, transmit, broadcast, show, promote, license, alter, modify or in any other case use any a part of the Service or any Content material besides: (a) as expressly licensed by the Service; or (b) with prior written permission from YouTube and, if relevant, the respective rights holders.”
Watching YouTube movies offline by unofficial channels takes cash away from Google and video creators. There is a purpose YouTube runs advertisements: Individuals make a residing this fashion. If you wish to share a video, YouTube and most different video websites make it simple, from embedding to emailing to sharing through social networks. You sometimes don’t must obtain a video, however for those who should —completely must, only for your self, not for dissemination, and to not be a jerk—here is how.
Observe: This story is up to date regularly, because the instruments concerned change. A few of these modifications will not be all the time nice, equivalent to software program so stuffed with “extras” that antivirus instruments flag it as malware. The identical applies to web sites—a change in a website’s advert community also can create points. To stop this from changing into a prolonged record of applications and websites, we established just a few pointers for inclusion. Companies should:
Work with the highest three video websites: YouTube, Fb, and Vimeo.
Obtain total playlists or channels in a batch (on YouTube), no less than with a paid model.
Output to MP3 for audio (or supply companion software program that does so).
Have an interface that would not suck.
Not gather your private knowledge past your electronic mail deal with.
Not comprise malware. If there’s even a whiff of it, even a PUP, it is out.
The applications, providers, and websites on this story are freed from spam and viruses as of the time of writing; nevertheless, purchaser beware. (Particularly for those who’re not likely shopping for.)
YouTube Premium: Restricted Downloads, the Method YouTube Needs
Video downloads can be found to subscribers of YouTube Premium, the $13.99-per-month model of YouTube that permits you to watch with out advertisements. A less expensive possibility, Premium Lite, limits advertisements in most classes and permits downloads for $7.99 per 30 days. Nevertheless, all of the movies you obtain are restricted to 1080p or decrease. No 4K.
(Credit score: PCMag/YouTube)
The most important situation: This characteristic would not actually obtain a video that you could save wherever you need. It’s just like the obtain options in streaming service cell apps, which allow you to watch a streaming video offline for a restricted interval. This feature on YouTube Premium is not going to assist you to, for instance, watch a video utilizing totally different software program, equivalent to VLC Media Participant or Plex.
To obtain a video on the YouTube web site or cell app, choose the three-dot icon for the entry you want to save and select Obtain video from the menu. You may then entry the obtain from the cell app by opening your profile picture and choosing Downloads to view the record of what you have grabbed. It’s also possible to open the Downloads settings and allow Good downloads to have the app mechanically seize new movies it thinks you would possibly like. Downloads will stay so long as your gadget has an lively web connection no less than as soon as each 30 days.
This in all probability is not precisely what you’re in search of. Wherein case, learn on for instruments which are a greater match.
Desktop Software program: The Finest Method to Obtain From YouTube
Third-party software program provides you probably the most management over downloading on-line movies. Usually, you paste the URL for the YouTube video you need into this system, and it downloads the highest-quality model it could possibly discover. For movies in 1080p high-definition format, that is normally an MP4 file. For higher-quality content material—4K or 8K—the file format is usually MKV or WEBM. MKV or WEBM extensions point out the file is a Matroska file, that means it could possibly maintain a wide range of media, from video to stills to subtitles, and helps a number of codecs.
VLC Media Participant was as soon as our favourite free approach to obtain YouTube movies, however current makes an attempt have failed, so we have switched to the standard YouTube downloaders. We additionally pulled 5KPlayer, as makes an attempt to re-download it prompted antivirus errors. It’s now underneath the Digiarty Software program umbrella, together with one other program beneath, VideoProc. Listed below are the most effective desktop video downloader choices:
4K Video Downloader Plus
Free, or $15 per yr of “lite” private use on one PC; $25 for a lifetime license buy for 3 PCs; Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android
(Credit score: InterPromo GMBH)
Multi-lingual 4K Video Downloader Plus (4KVD+) is regularly up to date and options clear obtain hyperlinks on this system’s web site; no advert traps right here. The software program does what it advertises: It makes use of a easy interface to seize high-quality movies as much as 8K and obtain them in varied codecs. Merely copy a YouTube URL and click on the “Paste Hyperlink” button. 4KVD+ will even gather subtitles, total playlists, and all of the movies from a channel you’re subscribed to. The supported websites are restricted to the foremost platforms, together with YouTube, Vimeo, Fb, TikTok, and Twitch, which ought to cowl most of your wants. The free model shows a big banner advert and limits downloads to 30 per day.
I used the transportable model of 4KVD+ that does not require a full set up in Home windows and snagged my 4K check video—a five-minute 27-second opus shot on a drone by PCMag’s Jim Fisher—in 1 minute and 36 seconds. That point consists of file conversion. It additionally simply downloaded an Extremely Excessive Definition (8K) playlist. Once you allow the Good Mode and its presets, 4KVD+ can carry out one-click downloads to your favourite format. If you wish to obtain greater than 10 movies per day or subscribe to YouTube channels to immediately obtain the most recent, you may want the paid model. Playback of the MKV information through VLC Media Participant is flawless.
This system can extract audio to MP3 format, so you do not want the 4K YouTube to MP3 companion software program. Nevertheless, if that is your desire, the choice is offered for $10 per yr or $15 for a lifetime license.
VideoProc Converter AI
Free with restricted use, or $34.95 for one yr on three PCs; $54.95 lifetime for one PC; $79.95 lifetime on three to 5 PCs; Home windows, macOS
(Credit score: VideoProc)
The highly effective VideoProc Converter from Digiarty has added AI to its capabilities (and its identify) to maintain up with the Joneses. It primarily supplies enhancing and results, with AI instruments for upscaling and stabilizing footage, however it additionally handles downloading. With {hardware} acceleration, it guarantees quick obtain pace and delivers. Let the software program detect your {hardware} to see what is going to assist with acceleration (if something). Click on the Downloader button, then Add video to enter as many URLs as you need to batch obtain, after which click on Obtain Now. Or seize an entire YouTube playlist or reside stream.
VideoProc transformed my check 4K video to the WEBM format in about 55 seconds, a serious enchancment over previous exams with smaller movies. The free model of VideoProc Converter AI used for testing limits conversions to five minutes per audio or video. It would not seem to restrict the variety of downloads; it solely limits the variety of websites it helps (10). The paid model helps 4K downloads from over a thousand web sites.
Helper Web sites: Coming and Going Like a 4K Wind
Do you need to keep away from putting in software program? Video obtain helper websites are designed to automate the obtain course of for you. They carry out a primary activity: You give them a URL from YouTube (or one other video website, if supported), they parse it, give you a selection of obtain sizes, and supply a hyperlink to the chosen obtain. The websites work on any platform, generally even on cell units. You do not have to put in something. It will probably take considerably longer to obtain, relying on the video’s measurement and high quality, however you’ll be able to’t beat the comfort.
The issue is that you could’t belief them. A whole bunch of those websites exist—it appears anybody with a modicum of coding means has set one up. Such websites can simply transition from helpful to suspicious, particularly once they achieve reputation, and the proprietor sells out to revenue out of your visits. Since this story was first revealed, all of the helper websites we initially really useful have been eliminated as a result of they’ve added sexually express advertisements, stopped working, or switched to selling a obtain utility solely. One actually went out of enterprise to keep away from getting sued.
For some time, based mostly on a advice from our buddies at LifeHacker, we fortunately talked up Cobalt. Whereas the location nonetheless operates, it is at the moment blocked from downloading from YouTube “as a result of restrictions from YouTube’s aspect,” in response to the location developer. (Although you might use its API to run an occasion of Cobalt by yourself PC, in case you have the technical expertise.) It should, nevertheless, nonetheless seize clips from different websites, together with Fb, TikTok, Instagram, and Vimeo.
Browser Extensions: Definitely worth the Problem to Set up
A browser extension can prevent a step, however needless to say downloading any RTMP protocol video (a protected video) or streaming video is not potential on YouTube. It’s best to have the ability to use these instruments on different video websites, although.
It is also price noting that, since Google owns Chrome and the Chrome Internet Retailer, browser extensions able to these actions are even much less more likely to work. Need to get round this? Get an extension that does not come from the Google Internet Retailer. Among the applications and helper websites supply an extension element and can spell out find out how to set up it with out the help the Chrome Internet Retailer normally supplies. Listed below are just a few:
YouTube Video Downloader
Free; Courageous, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, Safari, Vivaldi
(Credit score: Addoncrop)
YouTube Video Downloader from Addoncrop is offered for a number of browsers, however not through the standard browser shops. As a substitute, you may must sideload the extension (which requires one other extension, referred to as CRX Emulator, to make it work). It provides a button beneath whichever video you are taking part in on YouTube, together with embedded YouTube clips, making the video simple to seize. As much as 8K video is supported. It’s also possible to convert audio from the video to an MP3, and it’ll even allow you to take video screenshots.
Video DownloadHelper
Free; Firefox, Chrome, Edge
Video DownloadHelper helps a variety of websites, together with ones for adults. You may know a video is downloadable if the extension icon animates while you’re on the internet web page. Video DownloadHelper for Chrome has stopped working with YouTube to safe placement within the Chrome Internet Retailer, however you’ll be able to nonetheless apply it to Firefox or Edge.
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DownloadHelper
Tubly Downloader
Free or pay $2.49 per 30 days or $17.88 per yr to unlock high-res downloads; Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Courageous, Vivaldi
Tubly is aware of you are fearful that the extension is not within the Chrome Internet Retailer and states proper up entrance why that’s and find out how to get it (through a obtain, extracting from a ZIP file, putting in it, and enabling “Developer Mode” on the browser, then dragging within the .CRX file for the extension). As soon as it is in place, you may get free entry to obtain from YouTube at as much as 1080p per video, with just a few downloads per day (480p downloads are limitless). There is a every day cap on lots of its obtain choices, together with MP3 audio; you’ll be able to keep away from this by paying.
Cellular Video Downloader Apps: Skip the App Retailer
What about your cell gadget? Google isn’t going to assist you to set up an Android app from the Play Retailer that may obtain YouTube movies. As a substitute, you may must go round Google totally—for those who even can. Our earlier prime instance, InsTube, is now having main web site points (and is labeled as a doubtlessly dangerous website by the Chrome browser), which is an issue, as that is the one approach to get the app to sideload on an Android gadget.
(Credit score: NewPipe)
Different merchandise you’ll be able to strive for Android downloads embody NewPipe, which accesses YouTube by a brand new interface that features a obtain possibility. It’s also possible to get 4K Video Downloader, highlighted above, for Android.
You’d suppose there could be no such restriction on iPhones and iPads, since Apple and Google aren’t the most effective of friends. However with the iOS apps we have tried, not solely would they not obtain from YouTube, however they’re additionally sometimes not accessible for lengthy. A kind of apps actually reported that “Downloading from YouTube is prohibited as a result of its Phrases of Service.” Chances are high, the minute you discover an iOS app that may obtain YouTube movies, it will likely be “mounted” or banned. The one actual possibility is to jailbreak your iPhone and use sideloaded apps to obtain precisely what you need.
One other is to make use of a free iOS file supervisor app, equivalent to Paperwork by Readdle. Use Safari to go to a YouTube video and make the most of the Share possibility to seek out Copy Hyperlink. Return to the Paperwork app, use the built-in browser to surf to a video obtain helper website (you recognize, the type we warned you about above), and paste the hyperlink into the shape. The location will present hyperlinks to obtain the file, and it can save you it to your Paperwork folder. Maintain and drag up the file till you are again on the primary display screen, then drag it to the Pictures folder. You may want to present Paperwork permission to entry Pictures. The video ought to then be accessible from Apple Pictures.
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Apple App Retailer
One other workaround: Return to a pc operating macOS or Home windows, and check out iMobie’s AnyTrans ($39.99 for a single laptop for one yr; $59.99 for a lifetime plan). It is a desktop file supervisor for iOS units with an built-in downloader supporting 900 websites, together with YouTube and Fb. It should switch the movies to the iPhone over a cable, like within the days of iTunes. Even for those who do not pay for AnyTrans, the obtain possibility stays and is free eternally.
Use Python for Secure Video Downloads
Are you a programmer? Contemplate this way more complicated methodology for downloading YouTube movies utilizing a Python script. This course of entails a number of steps and requires putting in just a few parts, however as soon as accomplished, you’ll safely obtain movies from practically 2,000 web sites. To do that, you’ll want to make use of yt-dlp, a robust, free-to-use Python library that downloads movies on the highest decision accessible by default. This information focuses on downloading movies from YouTube, however the steps might also work on different websites with out further steps—for those who’re curious, merely enter the video’s hyperlink to examine.
Instance of websites apart from YouTube that work (Credit score: PCMag/Python Software program Basis)
Step one is to put in Visible Studio Code, which could be completed by visiting this web page; it is accessible for Home windows, macOS, and Linux. After you have VSC, you’ll set up Python. There are a number of methods to take action, however the easiest route is to obtain Anaconda, a digital atmosphere distribution that features Python and probably the most generally used Python packages. As soon as that is put in, launch VSC and discover the extensions button on the left aspect. Then set up the Python and Jupyter extensions.
(Credit score: PCMag/Visible Studio Code)
This can assist you to write Python code in VSC. To maintain issues easy, write your code in a Jupyter pocket book. This lets you separate your code into particular person cells, making it simpler to revisit and alter later for those who aren’t conversant in coding. To open a brand new Jupyter pocket book, create a brand new file (identify it no matter you need) and use the file extension .ipynb. Your file ought to look one thing like this: demo.ipynb. Be sure you save this file in a folder you’ll be able to simply entry in case you could recycle the code sooner or later to obtain further movies.
(Credit score: David Paiz-Torres/Microsoft/Visible Studio Code)
Lastly, listed here are the steps to obtain movies utilizing Python:
Set up the yt-dlp library. To take action, open your Jupyter pocket book and enter !pip set up yt-dlp
To execute your code, press Shift+Enter concurrently (on Home windows) or Command+Return (on Mac).
After executing the earlier cell, hover over the center of the cell on the underside aspect and choose “code.” This offers you the choice to create a brand new cell with a purpose to keep organized.
In your new cell, write the next: import os print(os.cwd()). This offers you the folder listing the place you could find your video after it is downloaded.
To alter the listing the file goes to, swap out print(os.cwd()) with os.chdir(‘/enter/your/new/listing’)
Lastly, to obtain a video, enter the command !yt-dlp adopted by the video’s URL.
David Paiz-Torres contributed to this story.
About Our Knowledgeable
Eric Griffith
Senior Editor, Options
Expertise
I have been writing about computer systems, the web, and know-how professionally since 1992, greater than half of that point with PCMag. I arrived on the finish of the print period of PC Journal as a senior author. I served for a time as managing editor of enterprise protection earlier than settling again into the options staff for the final decade and a half. I write options on all tech matters, plus I deal with a number of particular tasks, together with the Readers’ Selection and Enterprise Selection surveys and yearly protection of the Finest ISPs and Finest Gaming ISPs, Finest Merchandise of the 12 months, and Finest Manufacturers (plus the Finest Manufacturers for Tech Assist, Longevity, and Reliability).
I began in tech publishing proper out of school, writing and enhancing tales about {hardware} and growth instruments. I migrated to software program and {hardware} protection for households, and I spent a number of years completely writing in regards to the then-burgeoning know-how referred to as Wi-Fi. I used to be on the founding employees of a number of magazines, together with Home windows Sources, FamilyPC, and Entry Web Journal. All of which at the moment are defunct, and it isn’t my fault. I’ve freelanced for publications as various as Sony Model, Playboy.com, and Flux. I bought my diploma at Ithaca School in, of all issues, tv/radio. However I minored in writing so I might have a future.
In my long-lost free time, I wrote some novels, a few which aren’t simply on my arduous drive: BETA TEST (“an unusually lighthearted apocalyptic story,” in response to Publishers’ Weekly) and a YA e book referred to as KALI: THE GHOSTING OF SEPULCHER BAY. Go get them on Kindle.
I work from my house in Ithaca, NY, and did it lengthy earlier than pandemics made it cool.
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