YouTube is the largest video hosting platform in the world, and it’s also a great source of music.
With millions of songs and videos uploaded, you can find almost any track you’re looking for on the site.
However, downloading music from YouTube can be a bit of a challenge. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you download your favourite music from YouTube to your device.
Step 1: Find the Music on YouTube
The first step is to find the music you want to download on YouTube. You can use the search bar on the top of the page to search for a specific song or artist. Once you’ve found the music you want, click on the video to play it.
Step 2: Copy the Video Link
Next, you need to copy the link of the video you want to download. To do this, click on the “Share” button below the video and select “Copy link.” This will copy the video’s URL to your clipboard, which you’ll need in the next step.
Step 3: Use a YouTube to MP3 Converter
There are many websites and tools that allow you to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files, which you can then download to your device. One of the most popular and free tools is OnlineYouTubeMP3.
To use this tool, simply paste the copied link into the “YouTube Video URL” field, and then click “Convert.” The website will then convert the video to an MP3 file, which you can then download to your device.
Step 4: Download the MP3 File
Once the MP3 file has been generated, you’ll see a “Download” button. Click on this button to download the file to your device. You can then play the MP3 file using your preferred music player.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Music
That’s it! You’ve successfully downloaded your favourite music from YouTube. You can now enjoy your music without having to be connected to the internet.
So, in summary… downloading music from YouTube is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps.
By using a YouTube to MP3 converter, you can easily convert videos to MP3 files, which you can then download to your device.
Enjoy your music!
Frequently Asked Questions About Downloading Music from YouTube
The legality of downloading music from YouTube depends on the specific circumstances and laws of your country. In most cases, it is considered copyright infringement to download copyrighted material without permission from the owner. However, there are some exceptions, such as for personal use or for educational purposes. It is always best to check the specific laws in your country before downloading music from YouTube.
Are there any risks associated with downloading music from YouTube?
There are some risks associated with downloading music from YouTube, including the possibility of downloading malware or a virus, or of downloading a low-quality or incorrect version of the song. Additionally, some YouTube to MP3 converters may collect personal information or display ads, which can be both annoying and potentially harmful. To minimize these risks, it is important to use a reputable and reliable YouTube to MP3 converter.
Can I download music from YouTube to my iPhone or Android device?
Yes, you can download music from YouTube to your iPhone or Android device. The process is similar to downloading to a computer, but you will need to use a compatible YouTube to MP3 converter that works with your device. Once the MP3 file has been generated, you can transfer it to your device and play it using your preferred music player.
How do I know if the MP3 file I downloaded is of good quality?
The quality of the MP3 file you download from YouTube will depend on the quality of the original video and the YouTube to MP3 converter you use. Some YouTube to MP3 converters claim to offer high-quality MP3 files, but in some cases, the quality may still be lower than expected. To ensure the best quality, it is important to choose a reputable and reliable YouTube to MP3 converter and to verify that the original video is of high quality.
Can I download a full album from YouTube?
Yes, you can download a full album from YouTube, but it will require downloading each individual song from the album. To download an album, you will need to find each song on YouTube, copy the link, and then convert each song to an MP3 file using a YouTube to MP3 converter. Once you have all the MP3 files, you can then organize them into an album on your device.
In conclusion, downloading music from YouTube can be a great way to access your favorite songs and music, but it is important to be aware of the potential risks and to ensure that you are using a reputable and reliable YouTube to MP3 converter. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can safely and easily download music from YouTube to your device.
Can YouTube Premium be shared? Yes — properly, through a Family or Duo plan.
A Family plan shares Premium with up to five other people (six in total), each on their own account — no password swapping. There’s now a two-person Duo plan too. The catch in 2026: everyone must live in the same household, and unlike the old days, YouTube actually enforces that now.
Why trust this? I’m Alan Spicer — a YouTube Certified Expert with two decades on the platform and six Silver Play Buttons. I keep on top of how YouTube’s plans and policies shift, including the recent household-sharing crackdown most guides haven’t caught up with.
⚡ QUICK ANSWER: Can YouTube Premium be shared?
Yes. The proper route is a Family plan — one manager plus up to 5 members (6 total), each on their own Google account, no password sharing. There’s also a newer Duo plan for two people. The big condition: everyone must live in the same household, and since 2025 YouTube actively enforces this with periodic checks. Individual, Student and Lite plans can’t be shared.
Can YouTube Premium Be Shared? The Short Answer
YouTube Premium frees you from ad interruptions and adds background play, downloads and YouTube Music — so naturally people want to split it. The good news: sharing is built in, and you don’t need to hand anyone your password. The proper way is a Family plan, where each person joins with their own account and keeps their own experience.
The important 2026 update: Premium sharing is designed for a single household. That rule isn’t new, but YouTube spent years not enforcing it — and that changed. Members who don’t live with the plan manager are now being flagged and paused. So the honest answer is: yes, you can share Premium, but the old “split it with mates across the country” trick no longer reliably works.
Sharing Properly: The YouTube Premium Family Plan
The Family plan is the intended way to share. One person is the family manager and can invite up to five family members — six people in total — to share the single subscription. What makes it good:
Everyone gets the full benefits — ad-free YouTube, background play, downloads and YouTube Music Premium.
No password sharing. Each member joins with their own Google account via an emailed invitation.
Separate experiences. Everyone keeps their own watch history, recommendations and playlists — nothing gets mixed.
Big savings. Split the Family price several ways and the per-person cost drops well below an individual plan.
The manager must be 18 or over, use a standard (non-Workspace) Google account, and be in a country where Premium is available. One quirk worth knowing: you can only change your family group once every 12 months, so choose your members carefully. For what it costs in your region, see the real cost of YouTube Premium.
The Newer Option: The Duo Plan
If it’s just you and one other person, YouTube now offers a Duo plan — a two-person membership that sits between the Individual and Family tiers on price. It rolled out to more markets after testing, so availability depends on your country, but it’s ideal for couples or a pair of housemates who don’t need all six Family slots. The same household principle still applies.
The Same-Household Rule (and the 2025 Crackdown)
This is the part that’s changed most since this guide was first written.
⚠️ The big change: Family plan members must live at the same residential address as the manager. That rule always existed, but from 2025 YouTube began actively enforcing it — running periodic electronic household checks and emailing members it can’t confirm that their benefits will be paused (typically within about two weeks). Paused members stay in the group and can still watch with ads, but lose ad-free viewing, downloads and the other perks.
Being related, sharing the cost, or simply being in the same country isn’t enough — YouTube treats “household” as an address-based condition. There’s no reliable trick around it, so the safe approach is to keep Family sharing to people who really live with you, and use a separate plan for anyone who doesn’t.
What About Unofficial Sharing?
Historically, people shared Premium by simply handing over their login, or by adding out-of-household friends to a family group. Both are problems now:
Password sharing breaches YouTube’s terms, mixes up everyone’s history and recommendations, and can trigger security prompts — a clumsy solution when the Family plan exists.
Cross-household family members are exactly what the new enforcement targets, so those benefits get paused.
In short: the official invitation-based sharing is easier, cleaner and safer than any workaround — and the workarounds increasingly don’t hold up.
Which YouTube Premium Plans Can Be Shared?
Plan
People
Shareable?
Notes
Individual
1
❌ No
Single account only
Duo
2
✅ Yes
Same household; availability varies
Family
Up to 6
✅ Yes
Manager + 5, same household, own accounts
Student
1
❌ No
Discounted, verified students only
Premium Lite
1
❌ No
Cheaper, limited perks
What Perks Do You Get With YouTube Premium?
Whichever plan you’re on, Premium includes:
Ad-free YouTube — no interruptions across the platform.
Background play — keep audio going with the screen off (something you can otherwise only fudge; see background play without Premium).
Offline downloads — save videos to watch without a connection.
YouTube Music Premium — included ad-free music streaming.
As the family manager, get a Family plan (or upgrade your individual plan) in your YouTube purchases and memberships settings.
Set up your Google family group and set your household location.
Invite up to 5 members by email or text — each accepts with their own Google account.
Keep all members in the same household to avoid the periodic check pausing their benefits.
Sharing YouTube Premium: FAQ
Can YouTube Premium be shared?
Yes. The proper way is a YouTube Premium Family plan, which lets one family manager share benefits with up to 5 other members — six people in total — each using their own Google account. There’s also a newer Duo plan for two people. All members must live in the same household as the manager, and since 2025 YouTube actively enforces that rule.
How many people can share YouTube Premium?
Up to six on a Family plan — the family manager plus five invited members. The Duo plan covers two people. Individual, Student and Premium Lite plans are for one person and can’t be shared.
Do you have to live in the same house to share YouTube Premium?
Yes. Family plan members must live at the same residential address as the family manager. The rule has always existed, but since 2025 YouTube actively enforces it with periodic electronic household checks, and pauses Premium benefits for members it can’t confirm are in the household.
Can I share YouTube Premium without giving out my password?
Yes — and that’s how it’s designed to work. Each family member joins the group with their own Google account via an invitation, so nobody shares a password, and every member keeps their own watch history, recommendations and playlists separate.
Can you share a YouTube Premium student plan?
No. The Student plan is a discounted individual membership for verified students only and can’t be shared. If you want to share, you need a Family plan or a Duo plan.
What happens if a family member doesn’t live in the same household?
YouTube may email them a warning that their benefits will be paused, then downgrade them to the ad-supported tier if the household can’t be confirmed within the notice period. They stay in the family group and can still watch with ads, but lose Premium perks like ad-free viewing and downloads.
Final Thoughts
So, can YouTube Premium be shared? Yes — and the official way is really good: a Family plan for up to six people, or a Duo plan for two, each on their own account with their own recommendations, and real savings per person. Just build your group around people who actually live with you, because the days of quietly sharing across separate homes are over — YouTube now checks, and pauses anyone who doesn’t fit. Set it up properly and Premium becomes one of the better-value subscriptions going.
A note on this guide: plan structures, member limits and the household rule reflect YouTube’s official family plan help and reported enforcement at the time of writing (July 2026); plans, pricing and availability vary by country and change over time. Check YouTube’s current terms before subscribing.
Given the nature of this topic, we must state upfront that nothing you read here should be considered legal advice.
We will do our best to lay out what is known about the legalities of downloading YouTube videos, as well as giving any relevant examples for context, but we are not legal professionals.
If you are not comfortable with the potential risks, our only advice is; do not break YouTube’s terms of service!
Whether or not it is legal to download YouTube videos is one of those questions that is very simple to answer from a rigid, technical standpoint, but deserves exploring more from a practical perspective.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos? – The short answer to this question is, if you have uploaded a video, then you are allowed to download that video via the tools provided in YouTube’s channel management. Downloading YouTube videos via any other means is breaking their terms of service, regardless of the license on that video.
That means that even if a video is listed as creative commons, or is a public domain piece, you are still not allowed to download it if you didn’t upload it, to begin with.
That is the absolute, black and white, no grey areas answer to “is it legal to download YouTube videos?”. If you do not want to risk falling afoul of YouTube’s content policies, that is all you need to know.
That being said, we mentioned there was more to explore on this subject and explore is precisely what we are going to do.
Can YouTube Ban You for Downloading Videos Against Terms?
The short answer is yes, but that is because YouTube can ban you anytime they like for anything they want. They are a private company and have complete discretion over who they allow on their platform. There are laws and regulations they must adhere to, of course, but these mainly relate to things like user data.
Theoretically, YouTube could also bring a civil lawsuit against anyone who breaks their terms of services.
Now, YouTube has never exercised either a ban or a lawsuit over breaking their terms by downloading video, but that would be little solace should they decide to make you the first their first case.
They did consider suing a video downloading service once but ultimately decided against it. So their past actions (and lack of actions), as well as rhetoric, suggest that they have no real desire to start banning people for downloading videos. Still, you should not assume that just because they have never exercised their right to before, they won’t do it in the future.
After all, money is a big motivator, and if a significant enough content network decided to put pressure on YouTube to stamp out this kind of thing, it wouldn’t be surprising if they did.
There is no automatic way for YouTube to tell if you are downloading videos. The services that allow you to download videos are more easily identifiable, and YouTube sometimes make changes to their platform that prevent these from working, though there is no way of knowing if it is a coincidence that the services stopped working, or YouTube specifically intended for that to happen. But there is no way for YouTube to tell that you are downloading a video using those services.
It is likely for this reason that YouTube does not make an effort to put a stop to this kind of activity.
For content that exists in other places—such as public domain video—it is almost impossible for YouTube to definitively say that any duplicate uploads were created with footage downloaded from their platform.
YouTube could infer that content has been downloaded, of course. If you were to download a video that is unique and only exists on YouTube and then reupload that video to their platform. However, with the amount of content that is uploaded every minute, it would be challenging for YouTube to find instances like this, even if people were willing to report this kind of terms breaking.
We say you would have to upload it to their platform because if you are not a registered user of YouTube, the only recourse YouTube would have for breaking their terms of service would be a lawsuit. Proving that any particular content was initially downloaded from YouTube against their terms of service would likely be difficult, and not worth the time and money it would cost.
Especially when YouTube can just remove the video and ban you.
Is it Ever Legal to Download Youtube Videos?
Other than downloading videos you uploaded in the first place, yes, there are situations when it is legal to download YouTube videos. The essential factor here is that YouTube’s terms of service are not law.
Breaking their terms does inherently mean you have broken the law—which is not to say there are never legal consequences for violating terms of service.
Again, we must stress that even though YouTube has never taken anyone to court for downloading videos, the possibility is there.
What this means is that for there to be legal ramifications of downloading video from YouTube, then YouTube themselves must bring a lawsuit against you. Proceeding on the basis that YouTube is unlikely to do so, you are only breaking the law if you download copyrighted content. Downloaded content that is creative commons or public domain does not violate any law, only YouTube’s terms. There is a caveat here, but we’ll get to that in a moment.
With regards to YouTube potentially bringing a civil action against you, remember that they need to be aware that you have broken their terms of service. As we mentioned, YouTube has no way of knowing who is using the various tools for downloading videos, so the only way they could possibly know is if you then put that content online somewhere. And even then, the chances of YouTube ever noticing it are practically non-existent, unless it is a high profile situation.
If you are downloading YouTube videos and keeping them to yourself, the chance of ever facing legal consequences are so remote that they may as well be non-existent. That being said, we must stress once more that it the risk does exist. If you break YouTube’s terms of service, you run that risk.
Regional Laws
We mentioned above there was a caveat to breaking terms of service not being illegal. While that is true (always check your local laws, however), the practical reality of situations like this are not so clear cut.
For example, there was an incident in 2006 where a woman signed up to MySpace under a fake identity for the purposes of bullying a friend of her daughter. That friend later committed suicide. Obviously, this was a terrible tragedy, but it is the manner in which the prosecution went after the woman that is relevant here.
Giving false information was against MySpace terms of service, and an attempt was made to prosecute the woman under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, claiming that she had gained “unauthorised access” to MySpace’s services by breaking the terms of service. After initially being found guilty, the woman was later acquitted in appeal after a judge decided the precedent was troubling.
The important thing to note here is that, while breaking the terms of service itself was not illegal, it was still used as a means to justify prosecuting someone under a different law.
Now, granted, the death of a thirteen-year-old girl is very serious, and not in any way comparable to downloading videos from YouTube, but it is essential to paint a full picture. We can tell you that breaking YouTube’s terms of service is not illegal, but the law is not always as straight forward as that.
How Do You Download YouTube Video?
There are several free online services that allow you to download YouTube videos. Simply searching “youtube video downloader” will typically turn up a good number of such services.
They all work in more or less the same way. You first enter the URL of the video you wish to download. The service will check the link, and, if it can do it (not all videos are downloadable), you will be able to select from various options regarding the format and quality of your download.
Some services even offer rudimentary editing tools, such as trimming, and cropping, though most will just present you with a download to the untouched video.
It is usually possible to download just the audio from a video, which is particularly useful if the thing you are downloading is sound effects, or music. Though it should be noted that downloading copyrighted music from YouTube, while still not breaking the law in terms of the act of downloading itself, is definitely breaking the law in terms of music piracy. And the music industry is not shy about enforcing those laws.
As mentioned above, YouTube periodically changes the way things work behind the scenes. Sometimes, this results in YouTube video downloaders no longer working. Whether YouTube does this on purpose or the changes are unrelated and breaking the downloaders is just a coincidence, is unknown. Regardless, when this happens, you can try a different service as some services take longer to adapt to changes by YouTube than others. But if none of them can grab the video, you may have to accept that you won’t be able to download it if you can’t find it elsewhere.
Browser Plugins and Standalone Software
There are alternatives to the online services mentioned above. When you stream a video, you are essentially downloading it to your computer temporarily. It is possible to take advantage of this and keep the downloaded video permanently. Browser plugins, in particular, add a level of convenience that the online services can’t.
It should be noted, however, that using something like a browser plugin or a standalone piece of software may expose you. When you use an online service, as far as YouTube can see, that service is accessing their content. It doesn’t matter who is downloading the video; YouTube will still see the same service as the one who is doing the downloading.
When you download a video from your computer, YouTube can see you specifically. Whether or not they can tell that you are downloading, rather than streaming, is a question we can’t answer. But if they have a means of telling the two apart, it would make it more likely that they could identify you, if they ever decided to.
Are There Alternatives to Downloading YouTube Videos?
If you are looking for a specific video that is only available on YouTube, your options are very limited. In fact, the only way to get around breaking YouTube’s terms of service here would be to contact the uploader and ask them if they could send you the video.
Obviously, for this to work, you would need to have a good reason for wanting the video, as they are unlikely to help you out if your goal is just to reupload it somewhere else and monetise it.
If the content is licensed under creative commons or public domain, there is a good chance you will be able to find it elsewhere on the web, and YouTube’s policies will have no bearing on how you obtained your content. Though it should be noted that their policies on re-using content may come into play if you attempt to monetise something that already exists on the platform.
Just remember that, while YouTube has never taken action against individual YouTubers for downloading YouTube video, and while the act of doing so technically doesn’t break any laws, the possibility of YouTube doing so is there. As is the mechanisms by which they could come after you.
So, is it legal to download YouTube videos? No. Doing so would only violate YouTube’s terms of service, and that in and of itself is not illegal. But that doesn’t mean there is no risk of legal repercussions, and you should consider that before downloading any YouTube content.
And, once again, this post does not claim to offer legal advice of any kind. If you are unsure about the ramifications of your actions, consult a licensed legal professional first.
Top 5 Tools To Get You Started on YouTube
Very quickly before you go here are 5 amazing tools I have used every day to grow my YouTube channel from 0 to 30K subscribers in the last 12 months that I could not live without.
1. VidIQ helps boost my views and get found in search
I almost exclusively switched to VidIQ from a rival in 2020.
When I first started I threw things together in Window Movie Maker, cringed at how it looked but thought “that’s the best I can do so it’ll have to do”.
Big mistake!
I soon realized the move time you put into your editing and the more engaging your thumbnails are the more views you will get and the more people will trust you enough to subscribe.
That is why I took the plunge and invested in my editing and design process with Adobe Creative Suite. They offer a WIDE range of tools to help make amazing videos, simple to use tools for overlays, graphics, one click tools to fix your audio and the very powerful Photoshop graphics program to make eye-catching thumbnails.
Best of all you can get a free trial for 30 days on their website, a discount if you are a student and if you are a regular human being it starts from as little as £9 per month if you want to commit to a plan.
3. Rev.com helps people read my videos
You can’t always listen to a video.
Maybe you’re on a bus, a train or sat in a living room with a 5 year old singing baby shark on loop… for HOURS. Or, you are trying to make as little noise as possible while your new born is FINALLY sleeping.
This is where Rev can help you or your audience consume your content on the go, in silence or in a language not native to the video.
A GREAT way to find an audience and keep them hooked no matter where they are watching your content.
4. PlaceIT can help you STAND OUT on YouTube
I SUCK at making anything flashy or arty.
I have every intention in the world to make something that looks cool but im about as artistic as a dropped ice-cream cone on the web windy day.
That is why I could not live on YouTube without someone like PlaceIT. They offer custom YouTube Banners, Avatars, YouTube Video Intros and YouTube End Screen Templates that are easy to edit with simple click, upload wizard to help you make amazing professional graphics in minutes.
5. StoryBlocks helps me add amazing video b-roll cutaways
I mainly make tutorials and talking head videos.
And in this modern world this can be a little boring if you don’t see something funky every once in a while.
I try with overlays, jump cuts and being funny but my secret weapon is b-roll overlay content.
I can talk about skydiving, food, money, kids, cats – ANYTHING I WANT – with a quick search on the StoryBlocks website I can find a great looking clip to overlay on my videos, keeping them entertained and watching for longer.
How to download a YouTube video — the official, legitimate ways.
The clean routes are YouTube Premium’s offline download (now on mobile and desktop) and downloading your own uploads from YouTube Studio. This guide covers exactly how to do both, the settings, what the downloads actually are, and the honest legal picture — so you save videos the right way.
Why trust this? I’m Alan Spicer — a YouTube Certified Expert with two decades on the platform and six Silver Play Buttons. I download my own videos constantly for re-edits and b-roll, and I know exactly what YouTube does and doesn’t allow.
⚡ QUICK ANSWER: How do you download a YouTube video?
The official way is YouTube Premium: sign in, open the video, and tap or click Download below it — this works in the mobile app and on desktop in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera. The video saves for offline viewing inside YouTube. If it’s your own video, download the actual MP4 from YouTube Studio. There’s no official free way to download other people’s videos without Premium.
Can You Download YouTube Videos?
Yes — through the routes YouTube actually provides. People download videos to watch offline on a flight or commute, to save data, to keep lectures for study, or (as a creator) to reuse their own footage as b-roll. The key is which method, because they’re not all equal — and only some are within YouTube’s rules.
There are two legitimate, YouTube-sanctioned ways: the built-in Premium offline download for watching inside YouTube, and downloading your own uploads from YouTube Studio as a real file. Everything else — the third-party “downloader” sites — sits outside YouTube’s Terms and carries copyright and security risks. This guide focuses on doing it properly.
The Legitimate Ways to Download — At a Glance
Method
What you get
Cost
Real file?
Premium (mobile)
Any eligible video, offline in-app
Premium sub
❌ Cached in-app
Premium (desktop web)
Any eligible video, offline in browser
Premium sub
❌ Cached in-app
YouTube Studio (your uploads)
Your own videos as MP4
Free
✅ Yes (MP4)
Google Takeout (your uploads)
Bulk export of your content
Free
✅ Yes
Public-domain / Creative Commons
Permitted content to reuse
Free
Varies
How to Download a YouTube Video With Premium (Mobile)
This is the built-in, one-tap method on your phone or tablet:
Open the YouTube app signed in to your Premium account.
Go to the watch page of the video you want.
Tap Download below the video (or via the three-dot menu).
Choose a quality if prompted — the download icon turns black when done.
Find it any time under Downloads in your Library, and watch offline.
How to Download on Desktop / Computer
YouTube expanded offline downloads to the desktop, so Premium members are no longer stuck on mobile:
Visit youtube.com signed in to Premium, using Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Opera.
Open the video’s watch page and click Download below the player.
Access saved videos from the Downloads section in the left-hand sidebar — even when you’re offline.
Handy for saving lectures or training on a laptop where the Wi-Fi can’t be trusted.
How to Download Your OWN YouTube Videos
This is the one that gives you an actual file — and it’s completely legitimate because you own the content. As a creator you’ll want this for re-edits, backups and b-roll:
Sign in to YouTube Studio and open Content.
Hover the video, open the three-dot options menu, and choose Download.
YouTube gives you an MP4 (note: it may be compressed from your original master).
For bulk exports of everything, use Google Takeout to download all your uploads at once.
Because the file can be compressed, it’s always worth keeping your original exports too — see my best 1080p rendering settings so your masters are top quality in the first place.
Download Settings & Quality (Premium)
A few Premium settings worth knowing:
Download quality — set a default (from low up to 1080p on supported videos) in the app’s download settings to balance clarity against storage.
Smart/recommended downloads — YouTube can auto-download suggested videos while on Wi-Fi so you always have something to watch offline.
Wi-Fi only — restrict downloads to Wi-Fi to protect your mobile data.
What YouTube Premium Downloads Actually Are
This trips a lot of people up, so it’s worth being clear:
They’re cached, not files. Premium downloads live inside the YouTube app or site. They won’t show up in your camera roll, gallery, Files app or a desktop folder.
You can’t transfer them. No moving them to a USB stick, another device, or a different media player.
They expire. You must reconnect to the internet roughly every 30 days so YouTube can verify your membership, or they become unavailable.
Some videos are blocked. Certain music videos, Kids content and region-locked videos have the download option disabled.
If you want a genuine, permanent, editable file, the only clean routes are your own uploads or properly licensed/public-domain content — not a cached Premium copy.
Downloading your own videos to reuse and grow?
On a free discovery call we’ll turn your back catalogue into a content strategy that drives traffic to older videos.
Short version: downloading through YouTube’s own tools is fine; going around them usually isn’t.
Legitimate: Premium offline downloads, your own uploads from Studio, and public-domain or Creative Commons content you’re permitted to use.
Problematic: third-party “downloader” sites and apps that save other people’s videos. These generally breach YouTube’s Terms of Service, can amount to copyright infringement (the video belongs to its creator), and frequently bundle ads or malware.
Honestly? There’s no official free way to download other people’s videos without Premium — the built-in button is a Premium perk. What you can do for free and legitimately:
Download your own uploads from YouTube Studio (covered above).
Save public-domain or Creative Commons content you’re allowed to reuse.
You’ll find plenty of third-party downloader sites promising free saves of any video. I don’t recommend them: they breach YouTube’s Terms, risk copyright infringement, and are a common source of malware and scam ads. If you just want to keep watching offline, Premium is the safe, creator-supporting option — and if you only need background audio, there are ways to play YouTube in the background without Premium.
What About Third-Party YouTube Downloaders?
Search “YouTube downloader” and you’ll find hundreds of tools promising to save any video as a file. It’s worth understanding what they are — and why I don’t recommend using them for other people’s content. They fall into three broad camps:
Type
What it claims to do
The catch
Online converter sites
Paste a link, get an MP4/MP3 in the browser
Heaviest on ads, pop-ups and malware; often break
Desktop apps
Install software to save videos in bulk
Bundled extras; can carry adware; you install it with full permissions
Browser extensions
Add a download button to YouTube
Against YouTube/store policies; often removed; can read your browsing
Whatever the format, they share the same fundamental problems — and none of them are worth the risk for the sake of a video you can watch for free anyway:
They breach YouTube’s Terms of Service. Saving content outside YouTube’s own tools isn’t permitted, full stop.
They can infringe copyright. The video belongs to its creator; downloading and — especially — reusing or reuploading it can be infringement, as covered in is it legal to download YouTube videos.
They’re a security minefield. Free downloader sites are one of the most common sources of malware, fake buttons and scam ads on the web.
They’re unreliable. YouTube changes its systems regularly, so these tools break, disappear, or quietly start serving something nastier than a video.
They don’t support the creator. Premium downloads send a slice of your subscription to the people you watch; a ripper sends nothing.
The honest bottom line: if you want to keep watching offline, Premium does it cleanly and safely. If you want a real file, use your own uploads or properly licensed and public-domain content. The third-party route trades a small convenience for legal exposure and a genuine malware risk — a bad deal.
Downloader Safety: Red Flags to Watch For
If you’re researching these tools, know the warning signs — the same tricks turn up again and again on downloader and “free MP3” sites:
Fake download buttons. The biggest, greenest “DOWNLOAD” button is usually an ad that installs something else. The real link (if any) is small and plain.
“Your device is infected” pop-ups. Always a scam — no website can scan your device. Close the tab; don’t click.
Requests to install software or “a codec.” A browser converter never needs you to install anything to play an MP4.
Endless redirects and permission prompts. Notifications, “allow” boxes and new tabs on every click are adware funnels.
Asking you to sign in with Google. Never hand a downloader site your Google credentials — it’s a phishing red flag.
Simple rule: if a site is aggressively pushing you to click, install or sign in, back out. Nothing about saving a video should require any of that.
People Also Ask
How do I download a YouTube video on my iPhone or Android?
With YouTube Premium, open the app, go to the video and tap Download below it, then watch it offline from your Library. It works the same on iPhone and Android. Without Premium there’s no official in-app download for other people’s videos.
How do I download a YouTube video to MP4?
The only clean way to get a true MP4 is to download your own upload from YouTube Studio, or use public-domain/Creative Commons content. Premium downloads aren’t MP4 files — they’re cached copies locked inside YouTube.
Can I download a YouTube video to watch on a plane?
Yes — that’s exactly what Premium offline downloads are for. Download over Wi-Fi before you fly (mobile or laptop) and watch with no connection. Just reconnect within about 30 days so YouTube can re-verify your membership.
Is it safe to use a YouTube downloader?
Free third-party downloader sites and apps are a common source of malware, fake download buttons and scam ads, and they breach YouTube’s Terms. The safe options are YouTube Premium for offline viewing, or downloading your own uploads from YouTube Studio — neither carries the security or copyright risk.
Why has the download button disappeared?
Either your Premium membership lapsed, or that specific video has downloads disabled — common with licensed music videos, Kids content and region-locked videos.
The official way is with YouTube Premium: sign in, open the video, and tap or click the Download button below it. This works in the mobile app and on desktop in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera. The video is saved for offline viewing inside YouTube. If it’s your own video, you can also download the file from YouTube Studio.
Can you download YouTube videos without Premium?
Not through any official YouTube feature for other people’s videos — the built-in download is a YouTube Premium benefit. The free, legitimate exceptions are downloading your own uploads from YouTube Studio, and saving Creative Commons or public-domain content you’re permitted to use. Third-party downloader sites exist but breach YouTube’s Terms of Service, can infringe copyright, and often carry malware, so they’re best avoided.
How do I download my own YouTube videos?
Sign in to YouTube Studio, go to Content, find the video, open the options menu and choose Download. YouTube gives you an MP4 file (which may be compressed from your original). You can also export all your content via Google Takeout. This is completely legitimate because you own the videos.
Can you download YouTube videos on a computer?
Yes, if you’re a YouTube Premium member. YouTube expanded offline downloads to desktop, so you can save videos from youtube.com in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera. Click Download below the video and find it in the Downloads section of the sidebar. The video stays inside YouTube rather than becoming a file on your hard drive.
Are YouTube Premium downloads real video files?
No. Premium downloads are cached copies stored inside the YouTube app or site for offline viewing — they don’t appear in your camera roll, gallery or file system, and you can’t transfer them to another device or player. They also require you to reconnect to the internet roughly every 30 days so YouTube can confirm your membership.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
Downloading through YouTube’s own tools — Premium offline, or your own uploads from Studio — is legitimate and within the Terms of Service. Using third-party tools to save other people’s videos generally breaches YouTube’s Terms and can be copyright infringement, since the content belongs to its creator. Downloading public-domain, Creative Commons or permitted content is fine.
Why can’t I download a YouTube video?
The download button only appears for YouTube Premium members, and even then some videos have it disabled — music videos with licensing restrictions, YouTube Kids content, and some region-locked videos. If you don’t have Premium, or the video is restricted, you won’t see a download option.
Are third-party YouTube downloaders safe and legal?
Generally no on both counts. Third-party downloader sites, apps and extensions breach YouTube’s Terms of Service, can amount to copyright infringement when used on other people’s videos, and are a common source of malware, fake download buttons and scam ads. The safe, legitimate alternatives are YouTube Premium for offline viewing and downloading your own uploads from YouTube Studio.
Final Thoughts
So, how do you download a YouTube video? The right way is the simple way: YouTube Premium for offline viewing on mobile or desktop, and YouTube Studio for pulling down your own uploads as real files. Both are built in, both are legitimate, and both keep you clear of the copyright and malware headaches that come with third-party downloader sites. Save the videos you’re entitled to, support the creators you watch, and if you’re a creator yourself, treat your own back catalogue as the reusable asset it is.
A note on this guide: download features, availability and rules reflect YouTube’s official offline viewing help and Terms of Service at the time of writing (July 2026); features and availability vary by country and change over time. This is general information for creators and viewers, not legal advice.
