An instructional guide on Obtaining Youtube Videos for Free on Desktop and Mobile is available below.
Formerly, YouTube videos were only streamable content. Presently, downloading YouTube videos is feasible via third-party apps.
It only takes a short time (depending on your internet speed), and it’s completely free.
This guide is divided into various sections:
- Reasons for Downloading YouTube Videos
- Legality of Downloading YouTube Videos
- Available Formats for Downloading YouTube Videos
- Video Quality When Downloading YouTube Videos
- Download YouTube Videos on PC or Desktop
- Obtain YouTube Videos on Mobile Devices
- Common Queries about Downloading YouTube Videos
Reasons for Downloading YouTube Videos
YouTube has dominated other video-sharing platforms since its launch in 2005.
Its popularity as both a video-sharing site and search engine is unparalleled.
It ranks as the second most visited site after Google, its parent company.
For the 30 million daily viewers streaming 5 billion clips, it’s frustrating when you can’t access your favorites due to poor Wi-Fi or lack of internet on commutes.
Downloading YouTube videos allows you to:
- View videos offline
- Choose formats or quality for better viewing
- Prevent data plan depletion
- Avoid streaming buffering
- Watch ads-free videos
- Enjoy privacy away from public Wi-Fi networks for streaming
Legality of Downloading YouTube Videos
Downloading YouTube videos has stirred debate between users and the platform.
YouTube’s updated Terms of Service outline restrictions on the use of uploaded content:
“Content is provided AS IS for your personal use as intended through the Service’s functionality and under these Terms of Service.
Download only when a “download” link is provided by YouTube for content.
Users can’t copy, reproduce, distribute, transmit, or exploit content without consent. YouTube and licensors retain all other rights to the content and service.”
This rule safeguards advertisers who pay for ads displayed around videos.
As long as you use downloaded videos for personal purposes, it’s acceptable.
This is especially helpful for repeated viewing of speeches, song lyrics, or instructional videos without frequent ad interruptions.
As long as you don’t share or re-upload the videos, downloading for personal use is permissible.
Downloaded content should not be made publicly accessible or used commercially without permission from the copyright holder.
Available Video Formats
The available formats vary based on the tool used. Common formats include MP3, MP4, AVI, 3GP, and MOV.
Choose MP3 for audio-only content or MOV for Apple devices to run on QuickTime. For Windows devices, opt for AVI.
MP4 is recommended for cross-platform playback on various devices running different systems.
A third-party player like VLC is essential for playback.
3GP is ideal for mobile devices with limited storage and quality needs.
Video Quality When Downloading YouTube Videos
Video quality when downloading depends on the tool. Most tools offer 360p, 480p, 720p, and 1080p resolutions for selection.
Therefore, 360p is ideal for mobile devices and smartphones. 1080p is best for Smart TV and large screen devices.
I’ve posted an in-depth discussion on video resolution and the devices recommended for each. You can access it through this link.
How to Download YouTube Videos on PC & Mac
Numerous tools are available to download YouTube videos on your PC or desktop. One example is KeepVid.Pro, which works just as effectively as paid apps and is completely free.
Step 1
Copy the URL of the video you want to download from YouTube.
For instance, in this case, I’ll be downloading TROYPOINT’s How to Jailbreak a Firestick on a Mac device.
Step 2
Visit https://keepvid.pro.
Step 3
Paste the URL in the search box.
Step 4
The website will automatically choose the best download format for you. However, you can scroll down to choose a different format from the list of options including Video and Video Without Sound.
Step 5
For the recommended format, click the Best Download / [Quality] [Format] button.
If you prefer a different format, click Download for your selected format.
Step 6
Click Save and wait for the download process to be completed.
Now you can watch your downloaded YouTube video!
How to Download YouTube Videos on Mobile Device
Downloading videos on your mobile device is a lot simpler. This feature is limited only to mobile devices and cannot be replicated on a desktop or PC.
If you have downloaded the official YouTube mobile app, you may download videos for offline playback.
However, you can watch it only for up to 48 hours and that must be located in any of the select locations that are covered by this feature. YouTube released this feature since these countries have weak internet connectivity.
If you are in the United States, Great Britain, or Canada, you would have to pay for YouTube Premium or use a third-party YouTube downloader software instead.
In this example, I’ll be using an Android device to download a YouTube video in two ways: using the YouTube mobile app, and using a third-party YouTube downloader.
Download YouTube Videos through the YouTube Mobile App
Step 1
Download the official YouTube app.
Step 2
Search for the video that you want to download.
In this example, I’ll be downloading TROYPOINT’s How to Jailbreak a Firestick on an Android device.
Step 3
Tap the Download icon.
Step 4
Select the video quality you prefer. You may also tick the Remember my settings option so YouTube won’t ask you to select your option again.
Tap OK and wait for the download to be completed.
The video will be saved on the Your downloads section.
Now you can watch your downloaded YouTube video even without an internet connection!
NOTE: This video will be available for offline playback for 48 hours only.
Should you wish to view the video again when the allotted period has elapsed, you need to connect to the internet to stream the content or repeat the process of downloading using the official YouTube app.
Step 6
If you wish to delete the file from your Downloads, tap the blue Downloaded icon.
Step 7
A confirmation message will be shown. Tap DELETE.
The downloaded video is now removed.
Download YouTube Videos through a third-party YouTube Downloader
If you are located in the United States, Great Britain, or Canada, you may download YouTube videos by paying for YouTube Premium.
You may also use a free third-party YouTube downloader software instead of following the instructions below.
Step 1
Access the video that you want to download from the official YouTube app.
In this example, I’ll be downloading TROYPOINT’s How to Jailbreak a Firestick & Install New App Store 2019 on an Android device.
Step 2
Tap Share.
Step 3
Scroll down then tap Copy link.
Step 4
Open https://keepvid.pro on your mobile browser and paste the YouTube video link.
Step 5
Scroll down and tap the Best Download / [Quality] [Format] button to download the recommended format. You may also choose other formats by tapping the options below.
NOTE: Do not tap the blue Download Now button below the pasted link as this will redirect you to an advertiser’s website. Look for the Best Download /…
Step 6
Wait for the download to finish.
Step 7
Once completed, tap OPEN.
Now you can watch your downloaded YouTube video even without an internet connection!
For more YouTube-related tutorials, be sure to view the guides below.
- How to Watch YouTube Without Ads
- How to Install YouTube Vanced
- How to Watch the Best Free Movies on YouTube
- How to Unblock YouTube
- How to Install YouTube App on Firestick/Fire TV
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when selecting a downloader tool or app for YouTube videos?
A good YouTube video downloader provides support for a different format and video qualities. It should not require having the app installed on your desktop or PC and should not ask for your personal information. Additionally, it should be safe from viruses, spyware, or malware, and should be available for free.
What if I have to share the video? Is this legal?
You can easily share a video on YouTube by clicking on the Share icon below the video or embedding the video on your website.
Why can’t I download videos from YouTube even with a tool or app?
Reasons for download issues with a third-party tool or app may include restricted availability of the video in your location, system issues with the tool, incomplete or unrecognizable URLs, anti-virus software restrictions, or copyright limitations on the video. Another reason could be your ISP restricting the tool’s features, in which case, using a virtual private network (VPN) might help by hiding your IP address.
VPN for Mobile Device
For enhanced security when installing third-party applications, TROYPOINT recommends using a VPN to protect your identity.
If you want to learn How To Install a VPN on iPhone or iPad, follow the link below:
Install VPN on iPhone or iPad in Under 2 Minutes
TROYPOINT recommends using IPVanish VPN due to its fast download speeds and user-friendly interface.
IPVanish ensures your privacy as they do not retain any logs of your VPN session or usage habits.
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