Do you want to download YouTube videos so that you can watch them without an Internet connection? The applications offering this service are legion, both on smartphones and computers. Discover our selection.
The YouTube catalog is very heterogeneous. You can find a wide variety of informative content, reports, analyses, conferences, and other tutorials on serious subjects. Fans of lighter content are also served between humorous videos, pranks, and other vlogs. Not forgetting the music videos, concerts, summaries of sports games, and unusual videos that feature prominently.
But if you are reading this article, then you want to know how to download YouTube videos to your device. Such a maneuver has several advantages. If the downloaded video is deleted from the platform (something that happens frequently), you can still play it whenever you want. And you don’t need to be connected to the Internet to view it.
To download videos, there are a myriad of tools available for free. Software, mobile applications, online services… You are literally spoiled for choice! To help you see things more clearly, we have put together a selection of essential services.
Also Read: How to save photos from Instagram?
How to download a video with YouTube Premium?
Before discussing third-party tools, it is impossible not to mention YouTube Premium, the subscription service of the Google platform. In addition to removing ads, YouTube Music, and background playback, it allows you to download videos to watch them later without a connection. With this method, the downloaded videos will only be accessible in the YouTube application.
- Play the coveted video.
- Click Download.
- Then select the desired quality and start the process.
- You can then view the video in the Downloads section of your account.
How to download a YouTube video to your PC with software?
If you don’t want to pay 13.99$ per month, there are many alternatives available. In particular, you can use calibrated software to download a YouTube video to your PC. There are quite a few out there but you have to be wary. Some software is limited if you skip the paid version. Others maliciously install very annoying adware.
We suggest you go for ByClick Downloader. This intuitive and secure tool allows you to download videos and select the desired quality and format. After installing it, downloading a YouTube video becomes child’s play:
- Launch the YouTube video on your browser.
- A dialog window will ask you to download it.
- Start the procedure then wait for it to download.
Note that it is also possible to copy the URL address of the video to paste it directly into ByClick Downloader. It’s up to you to configure your preferences in the settings (default format and quality, shortcuts, etc.).
![ByClick Downloader](http://blogmarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-05-163516-1024x393.jpg)
Alternatively, it is possible to download videos using VLC, the famous free multimedia player. Here are the steps to follow :
- Copy the address of the YouTube video to download.
- Open VLC then click New Stream in the Video section.
- The copied address will automatically be pasted into the bar.
- Then click on the orange arrow to retrieve the video stream.
- Play the video then open Tools > Media Info.
- Identify the Location line and then copy the indicated address.
- Paste it into your browser to view your video.
- Finally, right-click on the video and select Save Video As.
How to download a YouTube video with an online tool?
Incompatibility with the OS, lack of storage… Some people are reluctant to install third-party software on their machines. To download a YouTube video, they can use one of the multiple tools found online. Not all are equal. Some serve ads and spy on your browsing data. Others even push you to sign up for a paid subscription.
We recommend the Freemake service which allows you to recover videos very simply.
- Visit freemake.com.
- Copy the URL of the YouTube video to download.
- Paste it into the input field.
- Select the desired quality.
- Tap Download.
How to download a YouTube video to an Android smartphone?
Do you want to download YouTube videos to your Android smartphone? There are indeed applications offering this service like TubeMate. But these violate the platform’s T&Cs so much so that they are unavailable on the Play Store.
Of course, it is possible to recover their APK files to install them manually. A more tedious and risky procedure (APK files are sometimes infected) that we do not recommend, especially if you are a newbie.
Especially since it is entirely possible to go through your browser and open an online tool like Freemake. All you have to do is follow the steps mentioned in the previous section to add a YouTube video to your library.
How to download a YouTube video to an iPhone?
Reliable applications offering this service are far from being legion on the App Store. There is a very time-consuming method which is to use the Documents app. Given the complexity of the method, we are not going to detail it for you in this tutorial. Especially since it is entirely possible to use an online service, as we observed during our tests.
- Copy the address of the YouTube video to download.
- Open the Freemake tool (or one of your choice) in your browser.
- Paste the address into the input field then click Download.
- Run a search to find the downloaded video (it will not automatically go into the gallery).
Is downloading a YouTube video legal?
In its T&Cs, YouTube specifies that it is prohibited “to access, reproduce, download, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, alter, modify or otherwise use all or part of the Service or Content except: (a) as explicitly permitted by the Service; (b) with the prior written permission of YouTube and, where applicable, the rights holders; or (c) in accordance with applicable law”.
Based on the platform’s regulations and current legislation, downloading YouTube videos with a third-party tool is permitted in the following cases:
- You have obtained permission from the copyright owner and YouTube.
- You exercise your right to quote by using only a brief extract in a montage or parody.
- The content you download is royalty-free.
In practice, YouTube is obviously not looking for trouble with people who do “stream ripping”, especially if they are content to view the content in a private setting (which is similar to private copying like when you record videos or television content).