youtube Video Downloader

Why Not Just Use YouTube Premium?

YouTube's own offline-download button exists, but it only works inside the YouTube app, requires a Premium subscription, and locks the saved file to that app — you can't move it to another device or keep it once you cancel. Any Video Downloader gives you an actual MP4 or MP3 file saved to your device, playable anywhere, with no subscription and no app required. That's the core trade-off: YouTube's version is convenient inside their ecosystem, this is a file you actually own.

How to Download a YouTube Video

1. Copy the video's URL from the address bar or the Share button.
2. Paste it into the download box on this page.
3. Pick MP4 for the video or MP3 if you only want the audio — useful for saving a lecture, podcast clip, or song without the video weight.
4. Choose a resolution from 480p up to the highest the source offers.
5. Click Download and the file saves directly to your device.
6. Full walkthrough with screenshots is in our YouTube Video Downloader guide.

Resolution and Format Notes

• Long-form uploads commonly go up to 4K; some channels publish in 8K, though availability depends entirely on what the uploader chose when publishing — it's not something any downloader can add that isn't already on YouTube's servers.
• YouTube Shorts download the same way as regular videos, just in vertical framing.
• Playlists need to be downloaded one video at a time by pasting each video's individual link — there's no bulk-playlist option here by design, since Google actively blocks bulk playlist scraping.
• MP3 audio extraction keeps the original bitrate of the source audio track; it isn't re-encoded at a lower quality to save space.

Common Questions

Can I download age-restricted or private videos? No. Age-restricted videos require you to be signed into YouTube to even view them, and private/unlisted videos aren't accessible outside the direct link shared by the owner — neither can be pulled by an external tool.

Is downloading YouTube videos legal? Saving a video for personal offline viewing is standard practice, but redistributing or monetizing someone else's video without permission is a copyright matter independent of the tool used.

Why is the audio out of sync on some downloads? This occasionally happens with videos that were livestreamed and later converted to a regular upload; re-downloading usually resolves it once YouTube finishes processing the archived version.

Privacy and Cost

No Google sign-in, no browser extension, no software install — everything happens in this browser tab. It's free with no daily download cap, and nothing you paste or download is stored on our servers once the file reaches your device.

When Saving a YouTube Video Makes Sense

Saving a video is reasonable when you have the right to do it. Typical examples:

• Backing up your own uploads, such as original recordings you no longer have on your phone or computer.
• Keeping a video that the creator has released under a Creative Commons licence, while following the credit rules of that licence.
• Saving footage that a client, team member or creator has given you written permission to use.
• Keeping public-domain or archive material for offline study or editing.

If none of these applies, watch the video on YouTube instead of saving a copy.

Common YouTube Download Problems and Fixes

• "Video unavailable": the video may be private, deleted, region-blocked or age-restricted. Open the link in a private window while signed out. If it does not play there, it cannot be processed.
• Live streams and premieres: wait until the broadcast has ended and YouTube has finished processing the recording.
• A resolution is missing: the highest quality depends on what the uploader published. Newly uploaded videos can take a while before HD or 4K versions are ready.
• The file is very large: long videos at high quality are big. Choose a lower resolution, or MP3 if you only need the audio.
• Pasting a playlist link: paste the link of one video at a time. Playlists are not downloaded in bulk.

Respect the Creator Before You Download

Videos on YouTube are protected by copyright by default, and YouTube's own terms generally allow downloading only through the features it offers. This tool is meant for content you own or are allowed to save. Never re-upload, sell or monetise someone else's video, and credit the creator whenever a licence asks for it. Read our Copyright Policy for details, or use the DMCA takedown page if you are a rights holder.