Blog / YouTube / How to Download Video from YouTube: 14 Methods (+ a Secret Way to Download a Whole Channel)
YouTube · 18 years of practice · updated June 2026

How to Download Video from YouTube: 14 Methods (+ a Secret Way to Download a Whole Channel)

14 working ways to download video from YouTube: online services, apps. Bonus — a secret method for downloading all the videos from a YouTube channel.

TRAFFIC ANALYSIS2026ORGANICGSC ✓BEHAVIORGA4 ✓COMPETITORSSimilarwebAI VISITStracked ✓MEASUREDSEOQUICKWe cross-check 2–3 sources — not trust one

Everything you need to know about quickly downloading video from YouTube — in one article.

Popular online services for downloading, as well as browser extensions, useful apps for PCs and for smartphones on iOS, Android.

A secret way to download playlists and entire YouTube channels that will save you time.

Let's figure out why you need to know how to download video from YouTube.

≈ 5+ billion videos published on YouTube30 million — the number of daily active YouTube users
≈ 35 hours of new video are uploaded to YouTube every minute27% of video owners restrict access to their videos after some time

Downloading a video from YouTube may come in handy if you've decided to watch a video on a plane or on the road.

It's convenient when the material is available offline.

Sometimes a video is open for viewing for a limited time (within a webinar, a course, etc.), which isn't very convenient.

And sometimes it happens that after uploading to YouTube the video isn't saved on the computer. Which is also annoying.

Today there are no problems at all with downloading a video from YouTube to a PC.

However, according to statistics, 70% of videos are watched on mobile devices.

That's why special apps have been developed for downloading to a tablet or smartphone on iOS, Android.

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Online services

Four working ways to download a video from YouTube.
Four working ways to download a video from YouTube.

SaveFrom.net, VDYouTube, and Save-Video.

Other proven methods.

If you don't want to install third-party software on your PC or smartphone, one of these methods will suit you.

SaveFrom.net

One of the oldest and most proven methods.

It requires minimal participation on your part and at the same time works like clockwork.

To download a video, all you need to do is:

  • go here;
  • paste the link to the YouTube video you're interested in into the download field and press Enter;
  • before the download starts, choose the quality of the video being downloaded and click the "Download" button;
  • the download will start automatically.

You can take a different route — download from YouTube via ss.

In that case the same service is used — the SaveFrom.net we're already familiar with.

But the algorithm of actions is a little simpler.

  • we open the video directly in YouTube;
  • in the search bar we add ss before …youtube.com…;
  • we press Enter;
  • we wait for the automatic redirect to the service's site;
  • for the further algorithm of actions, see above.

If you plan to download videos often, it'll be convenient to install an extension in your browser.

This option is available on the SaveFrom.net resource. But we'll talk about that later.

VDYouTube and Save-Video

These online services work on a similar principle.

In essence, they're full-fledged equivalents.

A different combination of letters is used here to download video.

To make YouTube redirect to the site where the download will start, instead of the ss combination before …youtube.com… you need to type into the address bar:

  • vd — in this case the VDYouTube service will open;
  • magic — in this case there will be a redirect to the Save-Video page.

Other services

In most cases the services described above are enough.

But if for some reason none of them suited you, use these:

This is an incomplete list of similar services.

They're all identical and work on a similar principle.

Copy the link address of the video you're interested in.

Copy it into the download field on the site, specify the quality and the desired video format, and then press the "Download" button.

Note that some services let you work with HD quality and 4K.

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How to download video from YouTube quickly?

Browser extensions.

The three most popular ones, installed automatically and manually.

Help with choosing.

If you download videos often, there's no need to go to the online service's page or add a combination to the browser's bar every time.

It's enough to install the necessary extension on your PC once.

However, before that, be sure to check its compatibility with your browser.

Savefrom.net

Want to add a download button right under the video?

It will appear in the YouTube interface when using this extension.

It's perfectly compatible with the Opera and Firefox browsers.

To install it, you need to go to the online resource https://savefrom.net/ and click the "Install" button.

Note that for the add-on to work correctly in Chrome you'll need to install the additional MeddleMonkey extension.

You can learn more about this in this guide.

After the extension is successfully installed, on YouTube an additional "Download" button will appear under the video, next to "Subscribe".

Here, in the drop-down window, you'll be able to choose the quality as well as the format.

FastestTube

Another solution for those wondering how to download video from YouTube.

This extension works with most browsers.

The installation principle is identical:

You can find and install the extension, for example, from the site https://download.cnet.com/

How to make sure the extension was installed successfully?

Go to YouTube, open any video.

A "Download" button should appear next to "Subscribe" under the video.

Next we choose the video format and the quality. The download will start automatically.

YouTube Video Downloader

This is a popular extension. It works in Chrome, Firefox, as well as Opera, Chromium, Vivaldi, and other popular browsers.

The only thing is, installation will require a bit more time and effort. It's done manually.

For this (using Chrome as an example) you need to:

  • follow the link, download the files, and unpack the archive;
  • go to "Extensions", which are in the "More tools" menu;
  • enable the special "Developer mode";
  • load the extension;
  • in your downloads, select the folders with the necessary files from YouTube Video Downloader.

After successful installation, the traditional "Download" button will appear under videos on YouTube.

In addition, you can use a special shortcut on your browser's toolbar.

Recommended reading:

  1. Keywords for a YouTube Channel: Selecting and Optimizing Tags
  2. How Much YouTube and Instagram Bloggers Earn

Desktop apps — another working way to download a video file from YouTube

Online services versus desktop apps for downloading.
Online services versus desktop apps for downloading.

The most popular desktop apps.

Downloading a channel in full.

4K Video Downloader, ClipGrab, and Softorino YT Converter.

Desktop apps aren't extensions.

This is separate, full-fledged software that's installed on a computer and provides more extensive functionality.

4K Video Downloader

4K Video Downloader — that very secret way to download a whole YouTube channel.

It's one of the best-known PC apps that allow you to download video.

Compatible with the macOS, Windows, and Ubuntu operating systems.

It's a more functional alternative.

It has far more capabilities than the traditional ways of downloading through any browser.

Available to you are such capabilities as:

  • downloading playlists and YouTube channels in full;
  • choosing the format of the downloaded videos: 1080p, 3D, 4K;
  • working with subtitles;
  • downloading embedded YouTube videos from various pages.

You can download this software here.

ClipGrab

You already know how to download videos from YouTube.

But there's one more proven method — the desktop app ClipGrab.

Like 4K Video Downloader, it's quite functional.

Here you can use the built-in search in YouTube.

Links from the clipboard are recognized automatically.

You can use expanded settings and manage downloaded files.

It's all simple, tested, and reliable.

However, there's a small downside.

This software doesn't work with playlists.

For that it's better to use the previous software.

You can download this software here.

Softorino YT Converter

Desktop software for gadgets on macOS.

As simple and intuitive as possible for those who don't want to strain themselves.

To start downloading a video, all you need is to:

  • copy the address link to the video — the software will recognize it automatically;
  • choose the quality.

After clicking Download, the download starts automatically.

You'll be able to find the downloaded file in "Downloads" on your Mac gadget.

Downloading from YouTube to devices on Android and iOS

How to download a video to a smartphone.

Downloading to iPhone and iPad.

Apps for gadgets on Android.

According to statistics, the average video-viewing session on a mobile gadget lasts more than 40 minutes.

Let's look at how to download a video to a phone from YouTube.

Apps for Android devices

Earlier we mentioned that Google's policy is categorical regarding downloading video in Chrome.

With Android devices it's the same situation, so you won't be able to download such software from Google Play.

You'll have to look for an app elsewhere.

However, you should treat third-party developers' products with caution, since they can harm your device and its file system.

In addition, the question of data privacy arises.

We recommend giving preference to one of the 6 popular apps for gadgets on Android.

They've proven themselves on the market.

Apps for iPhone and iPad

An effective method — SaveFrom.net and Dropbox.

To download a video from YouTube, we use SaveFrom.net — the online service we're familiar with — in tandem with the Dropbox cloud folder.

With the first one we'll download the video, and the second service will let us save it to a cloud folder.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  • on YouTube or in the browser we copy the link and press "Share";
  • we open the SaveFrom service and put the link in the download field;
  • we choose the quality and press "Download";
  • we press "Share" in the tab that appears;
  • we select the "Save to Dropbox" option.

Using shortcuts

On all iOS devices, starting from iOS 12, shortcuts are available.

They're suitable for downloading videos.

To start, install this app, then add the shortcut via the link.

Now a quick clip-download function is available.

We simply press the "Share" button, then choose "Shortcuts" and Download YouTube.

Documents 5

We download YouTube videos through Documents 5.

It's a file manager with a built-in browser.

To download a video, choose any online service, for example, SaveFrom.net.

We copy the address link to the video we're interested in, paste it into the download bar, and download.

It ends up in the internal folder for downloaded files within the manager itself.

After that we move the video to Photos. This will let us view it in the gallery.

Softorino YT Converter

Remember we looked at the Softorino YouTube Converter app for Mac?

It can also be used for various iOS devices.

Copy the link to the desired video.

Then the software will recognize it automatically.

We choose the quality, then download.

We'll look for the video in the "Videos"/"Music" sections on iOS.

How to save your own video from YouTube?

Downloading through the control panel in your personal account.

A simple and quick way.

Uploaded a video, forgot to make a backup of it, and deleted it? The problem is solvable.

We recommend reviewing the simple instructions on how to download a video from your own channel.

  • Open YouTube and sign in to your account.
  • Go to "YouTube Studio", having first clicked on your profile photo.
  • Choose the "Videos" section in the menu on the left.
  • Find the desired video and click on it once.
  • In the window that opens, in the top right corner, choose the action icon and click on the "Download" item.

The download will start automatically.

You can read more about the instructions for downloading a video in the official help center.

Want to increase views on your channel?

We recommend studying how to promote your YouTube for free with the help of competent keyword selection.

Conclusions

Now you know how to download video on YouTube.

You can do it simply with the help of online services, desktop apps, or special extensions for a wide variety of browsers.

Most people (about 70%) prefer to watch videos on mobile.

To download a video to a smartphone or a tablet on iOS, Android, it's enough to use an app.

Downloading a video from your own channel won't be difficult either.

For this you need to go to "Studio", find the necessary video, and use the available download function.

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