How to Download YouTube Videos for Mobile and Desktop (2023)

The most popular video-on-demand (VOD) platform in the whole world is YouTube. It’s interesting to know, YouTube has over 120 million active users daily.

You should get a little technical if you wish to download YouTube videos. Videos on YouTube can be downloaded in a different formats, including MP4, MPEG and AVI. Alternatively, you can convert YouTube videos into MP3 files if all you need is just the audio.

I gathered a list of tools that you can use. There are many tools and ways to download YouTube videos so we’ll start from the beginning.

What processes are involved in downloading YouTube videos?

The method of downloading videos from YouTube is easy and not complicated at all.

First, choose a video converter to download YouTube videos.

Choose a video downloader to download YouTube videos.

The quickest method to download YouTube videos is by using a YouTube downloader tool.

The finest tool currently available, in my opinion, is 4K Video Downloader.

With fantastic features like batch download, playlist saving, and downloads in 720p, 1080p, and 4K, 4K Video Downloader is compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux. Additionally, you can get subtitles from YouTube in more than 50 different languages.

You are able to try 4K Video Downloader completely risk-free for up to 14 days.

There are other online tools available as well, and while some of them are decent and free, the commercial ones offer considerably better quality. Quality and features aside, a lot of free tools have a lot of advertising and most of them might harm your PC or Mac.

A YouTube downloader should have the following features:

1. Video Quality – For optimal viewing, the converted file must have a standard video quality. Ideally, you should be able to control the video’s quality. It can fall into the low, middle, or high range. A specified video resolution, such as 360p, 720p, 1080p, or another, is even preferable.
2. Subtitles: We all enjoy watching videos in several languages. Subtitles must always be used when watching such videos on YouTube or YouTube Premium. It seems sense that you would prefer to download those specific videos with subtitles.
3. Bulk Download: Based on playlists from YouTube channels, you should be able to download videos or files one after another or in bulk. You might want to download a band’s full career if you enjoy them. And if you enjoy a certain director, you might want to download all of his films.
4. Multi-Format Compatibility: You should have the ability to save and download video files in your file manager in several formats. You can be more flexible if you have a variety of options to pick from, such as MP4, AAC, FLAC, or if you just want the audio MP3.
5. Built-in Video Editor: In the middle of a video, you might want to preview a particular track.Or perhaps you want to alter the movie to exclude a certain scene. Since needs for video editing can occur at any time, a YouTube video downloader must include this function. Any video converter (AVC) with an integrated editor is worth a try.
6. Speed – The tool must be quick in downloading and converting videos. The ideal situation would be for fluctuations in internet and Wi-Fi connectivity to have little impact on download times.

Download YouTube video’s using the URL.

Let’s say you wish to download a video from the internet. Simply go to YouTube search and play it.

The YouTube video URL that is presented in the browser’s url box can be easily copied and pasted.

As an example as you can see in the snapshot below of y2mate website where you can download any video is shown below. All you have to do is enter the URL in the text box above and select “Start.” Additionally, some websites could have “Go” or “Download” buttons.

If the tool you’re using can be downloaded, you must first install it on your computer. Once you’ve launched it, you’ll have the same options for copying and pasting the URL for conversion.

You could also need to look at alternate YouTube apps that are compatible with different handsets in GooglePlay store. There are plenty different choices available if you’re downloading from Vimeo for

Select the Video Quality & File Format.

You’ll have a ton of options after pasting the YouTube video URL into the search box. For instance, y2mate gives you the option to select the video type, quality, and file size that you wish to download.

Finally, click download after choosing the one you want.

You can download YouTube videos in a variety of formats, including WMV, MPG, AVI, ASF, 3GP, 3G2, FLV, MKV, WEBM, SWF, HTML5 OGG, HTML5, , HTML5 WEBM and more, using some of the programs.

You can designate a folder on your computer to save all the downloaded videos if you’re seeking for bulk downloads. If you’re using a VPN, you can experience some confusion because most tools focus more on your IP address than the video URL you enter. Therefore, for proper downloads if you use a VPN, you might wish to alter the location.

You can watch the video whenever and wherever you want once it has been downloaded.

How does browser add-ons work for downloading YouTube videos?

Changing the YouTube video URL might not be a good idea, which is a way some people use but I don’t recommend at all as most of the website that have these features might do harm to your PC or Mac. Some of you might not wish to download the videos via any third-party tools.

Using add-ons for your browser is the ideal answer in this situation.

1. Select An Add-On.

There is an add-on for almost anything you would require.

The good news is that downloading YouTube videos may be done in a number of ways.

While some of them are standalone programs, others work best with Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.

Here is an illustration of a comparable Opera add-on named “YouTube Video and Audio Downloader.”

2. Download the add-on

Opera makes the process simple. And for other browsers, the situation is essentially the same.

Simply select the “Add to Opera” option that is highlighted in green in Opera. Additionally, be sure to download the appropriate add-on for the browser you are using. If not, they won’t function.

Install the add-on after it has been downloaded. Restart your computer if, after installation, the add-in doesn’t function.

3. Access YouTube.

the YouTube video you wish to download is the next step. When you arrive, you’ll see a symbol in the upper right corner (for Opera users).

You have alternatives when you install this add-on.

• Instantaneous download
• Download panel
• Conversion tool
• Settings

After that, select “quick download” to start installing the video on your computer.

No matter which browser you use, you cannot access YouTube’s direct download option without using an add-on.

4. Select a File Format.

The majority of add-ons give you a selection of options for saving the video. There are several different formats and video quality options available. Normally, a pop-up asking for your selections will appear throughout the download option.

How does the VLC Player download YouTube videos?

You can download the VLC media player if it’s not already installed on your PC. It is safer and simpler to download YouTube videos with VLC Media Player.

This is how:

• Go to the video on YouTube and copy the URL.

Open the video you wish to download on YouTube. The video’s URL should then be copied.

• Go to VLC Media Player.

It is best not to wait until this step to launch the VLC media player. For your benefit, keep it open on the taskbar.

• A brand-new network stream

Go to the ‘Media’ menu when you first launch the VLC media player and choose that item.

Then choose ‘Open Network Stream’ from the menu.

VLC on Windows OS

When you’re running a Windows OS or Mac, please follow the following steps:

The order is FILE > OPEN NETWORK when using a Mac.

• Open Media

No matter what OS you’re using, you’ll see a page with a text editor in this step. Copy the URL for the YouTube video you want to download and paste it here.

• Select the “Play” button.

The video begins playing on VLC when you select the “play” option.

• Codec details.

Next, select “Tools” from the menu in the top right corner of the screen. An option called “codec information” can be found there. Alternatively, you can see the “codec details” option by pressing “CTRL + J.”

After that a new window will appear when you click on the “codec details”.

• Location

The window appears to be like this:

The location text box at the bottom of the page has the information for the video, which you must copy. For Windows users, this procedure is rather simple.

On the other hand, Mac users must right-click on the field and select the “Open URL” option.

• Copy the URL and paste it.

On a Windows computer, you have already copied the URL. Copy it and then press “Enter” on your web browser. For Mac users, the step is not necessary.

• Download the video.

The video should currently be playing in your browser. Just do a right-click on the video and choose “Save video as.”

and simply Save the movie.

Now, the video will begin downloading. The default title would be “videoplayback,” and the default format is an MP4 file. Save it among your other videos once it has downloaded.

Even while it can seem complicated now, finishing the task on your own is actually quite easy.

How Can YouTube Videos Be Downloaded on a Phone?

It can be more difficult to download a YouTube video to your mobile device.

I do have two straightforward methods for you to download them on your mobile devices, though.

Option #1: You can get the InsTube app if you have an Android phone. This app makes it incredibly easy and cost-free to download videos to your phone.

Option #2: You cannot use InsTube to download your YouTube videos if you have an iPhone that runs iOS.

Getting the official YouTube Premium is the simplest way to accomplish this. The $11.99 monthly payment was absolutely worthwhile. Within the YouTube app, you may download and watch videos directly on your phone.I personally practice this, and I would advise you to as well.

Additionally, you’ll gain access to YouTube music for $9.99, which allows you to start streaming music in addition to videos.

However, you can accomplish this for nothing by utilising Apple AirDrop.

The video files can be easily transferred from your Apple computer to your phone and played there like any other video. To easily and free download any YouTube video to your mobile device, simply follow the instructions provided by y2mate.com.

Is it legal to download YouTube videos?

The Terms of Service on YouTube quite clearly outline.

Violating their terms of service includes downloading the videos without having the proper authorisation and selling them, and also infringing on other people’s copyrights.

Although it is legally illegal to download YouTube videos, YouTube has expressed little interest in prosecuting those who do so. Downloading specific royalty-free YouTube videos that have the appropriate permissions is allowed. Additionally, it may be lawful if you’re only using the movie for personal use.

YouTube states, “Without the prior written approval of YouTube or the relevant content licensors, it is prohibited to duplicate, distribute, reproduce, transmit, display, sell, broadcast, license, or otherwise exploit any content for any other purposes.”

Specifically, you can only access YouTube videos through official Google apps.

However, 3rd-party programs that allow consumers to download YouTube videos will keep appearing online. Since you may still access YouTube videos even if you are not signed in, it is difficult to police or remove users for abusing them.

It is ultimately up to you to choose whether or not you should be downloading YouTube videos for private use.

What is batch downloading from YouTube?

The process of downloading many files simultaneously over the Internet is known as batch downloading. How long it takes for the file(s) to finish completely depends on the number of files and their size in kilobytes (KB).

When users download many YouTube videos in bulk into a particular folder on their computer or device, they are using software or web browser add-ons.

Multi-part downloading is another name for batch downloading. However, the major reasons people use batch downloading are that it can be a simple way to download several little files from one location and that the downloaded video’s file sizes do not go above the thresholds set by some software.

Because it takes less time, many YouTube users download videos using third-party software.

What music may I use into my YouTube videos?

Using royalty-free music when creating a video that will be uploaded to YouTube is recommended practice. However, this means that the music you choose shouldn’t violate the original artist’s rights.

Certain tunes from YouTube’s catalog are available for users to use for free.

Questions and Answers.

Can you download a YouTube video file?

Yes, by following the instructions in this guide, you may download any YouTube video. I demonstrate different and various methods for downloading videos from YouTube with utilising a mobile device, an extension, and a video downloader.

There are several browser extensions that allow you to download YouTube videos. However, these extensions usually work by adding a download button to the YouTube website, which you can click to start the download.

Some popular options include Video Downloader Professional for Chrome and Firefox, and FastestTube for Safari.

Can I download YouTube videos for free?

You can absolutely free download any YouTube video. On the other hand, if you want to save some time, I suggest using 4K Video Downloader.

You’ll receive movies of superior quality, and it will prevent spyware and viruses from harming your devices.

How can YouTube videos be downloaded most effectively?

The best method for downloading YouTube videos on a desktop is 4k Video Downloader.

InsTube or YouTube Premium are the greatest options for downloading YouTube videos on mobile devices.

How do I save YouTube videos to my Android device?

Using InsTube is the most effective way to download video to your Android device. It is cost-free and really easy to use.

Brief Summary

Here are a few of the finest methods for downloading YouTube videos. Choose 4K Video Downloader, in my opinion, as it is the greatest program for MP3 conversions and video quality.

You can use this program to access your favorite YouTube videos whenever you want, even if there is no Internet connection. You can ensure that you never miss out on the videos you like by downloading them and keeping them on your computer or phone.

Do you prefer to download YouTube videos or stream them? What instrument do you use? Tell me in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: Please note, there are some links in this article that I might receive a small commission for at no cost to you. But, these are the best tools that I’ve tested for downloading and converting videos from YouTube. You can read my full affiliate disclosure in my privacy policy page.