YouTube has become the go-to platform for billions of people looking for tutorials, music videos, and other engaging content. As the second-largest search engine globally, you've probably found yourself wanting to download a YouTube video or two.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to download YouTube videos on Mac, PC, iPhone, and Android using various methods. We'll also discuss the legality of downloading YouTube videos and how to transfer your music playlists between different streaming platforms.

Stay tuned as we spill the beans on everything you need to know about downloading YouTube videos like a pro!

Downloading YouTube Videos: The Why & How

Ever been stuck traveling without a data connection or just wanted to save a few videos via Wi-Fi to avoid burning through your data allowance? Knowing how to download YouTube videos can be a real lifesaver! Plus, no more buffering due to slow networks and congestion!

To snatch those precious videos, you can use third-party software, with many iPhone and iPad apps available in the App Store. Just make sure to check their terms of service – some are free to download but require in-app purchases or subscriptions to unlock full functionality.

One option that deserves a shoutout is Offline. With no hidden fees or extra charges, this app lets you download audio and videos not just from YouTube, but also from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Soundcloud. You can export files to iCloud, import them into the app, and even AirDrop them to your Mac for safekeeping.

Is Downloading YouTube Videos Legal?

The legality of downloading YouTube videos depends on whether you follow Google's YouTube Terms of Service. According to these terms, you are only permitted to access content for your informational and personal use, as intended by the service's functionality and permitted by the Terms of Service.

To download any content, you must see a "download" or similar link displayed by YouTube on the service.

Downloading videos from YouTube using unauthorized methods, such as third-party apps, breaches the YouTube Terms of Service. While this may not necessarily be illegal, it could result in a YouTube ban.

Google usually doesn't enforce these terms individually for casual downloaders, but the company may occasionally target third-party applications designed for downloading videos.

A few standard methods exist for downloading YouTube videos without subscribing to the site's Premium service. The process will vary depending on the platform you're using, but it typically involves:

Signing up for a free trial of YouTube Premium for one month, or
Downloading an app that lets you download videos from YouTube, such as 4K Video Downloader, TubeMate, VLC Media Player, or any other YouTube video downloader.
Copying the URL of a YouTube video that you want to download.
Entering the URL in your downloading app.
Exporting your video file and selecting a saving location.

In the sections below, we'll provide detailed tips on downloading YouTube videos on iOS and iPadOS, Mac, Android, and Windows PC.

How to Download YouTube Videos on iPhone and iPad

Are you tired of constantly buffering YouTube videos and dreaming of a world where you can watch them offline? Well, fear not, our friend, because we're about to embark on a journey to download YouTube videos on your iPhone and iPad. And guess what? We're going to do it legally!

Enter YouTube Premium, a paid subscription service that lets you download videos directly from the YouTube app for just $12 a month (or $7 if you're a student - lucky you!). You can even share a family plan with up to six members for a single $23 monthly subscription. The best part? It's Google-approved, so you won't have to worry about any legal hiccups.

But wait, there's a catch (isn't there always?). YouTube iOS app's limitation is that you can only download content in 1080p resolution. Also, you don't get to keep those videos forever; YouTube Premium's download feature is designed for offline viewing during bad or no-network connectivity.

Now, downloading YouTube videos on your iPhone and iPad might seem challenging, thanks to Apple's tight control over its App Store. But fear not, for we have found a trusty video downloader called VideoSolo. Here's how you can use it:

Open the web browser, then navigate to the VideoSolo website.
Paste a YouTube video URL into the text field and select Download. The video will start decoding, and soon you'll see a selection of output formats and quality options.
Choose your desired video format and quality, and voilà! Download away.

Now, go forth and conquer the world of offline YouTube videos, one cat video at a time.

Do you want to learn how to convert your Spotify playlist to a YouTube video? Find out in our other article!

How to Download YouTube Videos on Android

So, you're on a quest to download YouTube videos on your Android device, huh? Well, buckle up, because we're about to embark on an adventure full of sneaky APK files and screen recordings.

First things first, Google isn't too keen on third-party tools for downloading YouTube videos. But fear not, our Android-wielding friend, for there's a workaround. You can use TubeMate, an APK file that'll bring a YouTube downloader right to your phone or tablet.

Here's how to use it:

Download and install TubeMate on your Android device. (Don't worry, we won't tell Google.)
Launch TubeMate and search for that cat video—or whatever else tickles your fancy.
Tap the green download icon, then choose your preferred format and quality.
Hit that green Download button, and you're off to the races!
Check out the Downloads List icon in the bottom menu to find your video.
Want to store your video elsewhere, rename it, or perform other secret agent tasks
Tap the three dots icon next to it.

But wait, there's more! You can also download YouTube videos on your Android device via screen recording—a method that works on iPad, iPhone, Mac, and PC too. Here's the scoop:

Find the YouTube video you want to download, then hit play.
Choose your preferred orientation: landscape or portrait.
Swipe up to access the Control Center, then tap the Record button (it's the circle within a circle).
When the video ends, tap the Record button again to stop recording.
Voilà! Your video is saved to your Camera Roll and ready for offline viewing.

And there you have it! The ultimate guide to (almost) secretly downloading YouTube videos on Android.

How to Download YouTube Videos Mac

You're probably tired of buffering and slow network connections when streaming YouTube videos on your Mac. But don't worry! We've got you covered with some awesome ways to download and watch those videos offline.

First, we have the macOS screen capture feature, which may be low quality, but it gets the job done. Press Command + Shift + 5 to access the screen recording options. You can record a window or the entire screen, including sound from your Mac's microphone.

If you're looking for higher-quality downloads, check out 4K Video Downloader, one of the most awesome apps for downloading high-resolution YouTube videos on a Mac.

You can upgrade to one of its premium plans if you download more than 30 videos daily. The program can download videos in various formats and up to 8K quality, including entire YouTube playlists.

Here's how to download YouTube videos with 4k Video Downloader:

Navigate to the page you want to download the video from.
Copy the URL from the address bar.
Open the 4K Video Downloader program and click the "Paste Link" button in the top-left corner.
The program will process the video and allow you to select different video qualities, formats, and conversions. You can also choose where to save the downloaded video locally.
Click the download button, and you're good to go!

But wait, there's more! You can also use Chrome to download YouTube videos by visiting the YouTube Video and MP3 Downloader website. The website will automatically identify your browser and prompt you to install the extension.

Once installed, go to YouTube and start the video you wish to download, and you should see a Download option next to the video.

It's important to note that YouTube's Terms of Service prohibit downloading videos without permission from the video owner, so be sure to only download videos for personal use. Now that you know how to download YouTube videos on your Mac, you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming no matter where you are.

And have we mentioned that there are also programs that help with editing your videos? If you are a video maker enthusiast, then we believe that those mentions of the best video editing software for mac is just for you. It will not only improve your skills, but also make your work more efficient. Furthermore, AI video maker tools are available to streamline the video creation process and help you produce high-quality content with ease.

How to Download YouTube Videos on PC

Let's face it, sometimes you need to download a YouTube video to watch offline, share with friends, or add to your personal collection. Fortunately, there are several methods to download YouTube videos on your PC. Here are two of the most effective and fun ways to do it:

YouTube Premium: The Lazy Way

If you're willing to part with a few dollars a month, YouTube Premium makes it easy to download videos directly from the YouTube app. Not only do you get access to ad-free videos and YouTube Music, but you can also watch videos offline on the same device you downloaded them on.

Here's how to use YouTube Premium to download and watch YouTube videos:

Make sure you're signed in and subscribed to YouTube Premium.
Locate the video you want to download and click the three dots menu. Choose "Download" from the dropdown menu.
To watch the video you downloaded, click "Downloads" from the menu on the left side of the screen, then click the downloaded video to begin playing it.

VLC Media Player: The DIY Way

If you're not willing to spend money on YouTube Premium, you can use the popular media player, VLC, to download YouTube videos to your computer. However, it requires more effort than using YouTube Premium, but it's free and works on Windows and Mac.

Here's how to download YouTube videos with VLC:

Download and install the latest version of VLC Media Player on your computer.
Copy the YouTube video's URL to your clipboard.
Launch VLC, select "Media" from the top-left menu, and choose "Open Network Stream."
Paste the video address into the "network URL" box to start the video. VLC will start playing the YouTube video.
Copy the lengthy URL from the Location box at the bottom of the window by going to "Tools" and then "Codec Details."
Paste the URL into your browser's address bar and click "OK." The video will start playing in a new tab.
Right-click on the video and select "Save movie" to download the YouTube video as an MP4 file.

So, whether you choose the lazy way with YouTube Premium or the DIY way with VLC, downloading YouTube videos on your PC is easy and fun! Just remember to respect YouTube's Terms of Service and only download videos for personal use.
Find out how to download audio from YouTube in our other article!

Transfer Your Playlists From or to YouTube

Do you want to transfer your favorite playlists from one music streaming service to another without the hassle of manually recreating them? FreeYourMusic is the solution!

With FreeYourMusic, you can transfer playlists seamlessly from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and many other platforms.

Here's how to transfer playlists from or to YouTube using FreeYourMusic:

Download FreeYourMusic and install it on your Mac, PC, or mobile device.
Open FreeYourMusic and select your source platform.
Select the destination as YouTube and choose the playlists you want to transfer from your source platform.
Click the "Begin transfer" button to initiate the transfer process. The duration of the transfer depends on the size of the playlist.
Once the transfer is complete, your playlists will be available on your YouTube account.

That's it! FreeYourMusic makes it easy to transfer playlists between different music streaming services. You can now enjoy your favorite playlists on YouTube and vice versa. Don't waste any more time recreating playlists manually – use FreeYourMusic to transfer them quickly and easily.

Try it today and experience the convenience of transferring playlists hassle-free!