Mobile data makes streaming videos and audio so much easier than it used to be. With the advent of 5G networks, it is getting easier still. However, there are still times when people might want to watch a video offline. Either they have poor connection, have run out of data or they want to use the video for some other project. Also, some videos may only be posted for a short time, so we might want to download them from streaming services like YouTube so we can watch them whenever we like.
This is why it is important to know how to download videos from YouTube. At oneHOWTO we explain how to download YouTube videos easily and help you to keep watching them forever.
How to download videos from YouTube directly
It is possible to download YouTube videos directly from the platform itself thanks to a download button located just below each video. It is next to the share button. However, this option is not open to everyone. Unfortunately, download videos from YouTube directly if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a YouTube Premium member.
- Be in a location where this functionality is active.
- Be the person who has uploaded the video to be downloaded.
The list of countries and regions where the download option is available can be consulted on the platform itself. Some programs, whose use is completely at the user's discretion, allow us to simulate locations other than the one we are in. These are known as VPNs or virtual private networks.
Another way to access this button is by activating the Premium option. YouTube currently offers a free trial month for its YouTube Premium service. If you don't want to pay, you can take advantage of this trial period to download all the videos you want to save. Once the free trial period has elapsed, you may find the service is useful enough to sign up to permanently.
How to download YouTube videos externally
For those who do not want to resort to VPNs, paying for the Premium service and who have already made use of their free trial month, there are still options to download YouTube videos externally. One of them is an application called YouTube Downloader that allows you to download YouTube videos for free. To do this you just need to follow the steps detailed below:
- Find the video you want to download.
- Locate the share button, below the video, and click on it.
- A box will appear on the screen with the video link. Press "Copy" to save it to the clipboard.
- Download YouTube Downloader and enter the link.
- Select the destination folder and choose the format in which you want to download the video.
- Finally, press "Start", it will be downloaded and saved where you have indicated.
Which YouTube download sites are the best?
There are various sites which allow you to download YouTube videos, but not all are as good as each other. Mr. Download is a resource which has various applications and programs to help you get the most from the Internet, including downloading YouTube videos for free.
WinX YouTube downloader is another free service which allows you to download YouTube videos from the streaming service onto your computer. Not only can you download videos from YouTube, but you can do the same on other sites, streaming platforms and even social media.
Finally, another great option is a service called 4K Video Downloader. This is a high resolution video downloader application which allows you to download videos from YouTube, but it also offers a subscription service to get more features such as downloading entire YouTube playlists.
You might want to use videos you have downloaded for your own channel. However, remember that you cannot monetize YouTube videos which infringe on someone else's copyright.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
With all of these methods and applications to download YouTube videos, you might think it safe to assume that it is legal to do so. In actuality, downloading YouTube videos is usually against the platforms terms of service, with some exceptions. For this reason, you will take a risk if you down load YouTube videos, even for personal use.
While YouTube has made some effort in the past to stop platforms and applications from operating[1], we cannot find any evidence of an individual user being sued for downloading material from YouTube. It is important to remember, however, that what you do with the video after you have downloaded it is important. Some people might think that it is OK to use copyrighted material for their own videos, but action may be taken against you by the individual copyright holder.
Essentially, it is a risk to download YouTube videos, but it is a risk many people seem willing to take. Whether you choose to do it yourself, it would be wise to be careful what you do with the material afterwards.
If you want to use video for your own content or YouTube channel, it has to be within YouTube's guidelines. This is an important factor if you want to be a popular YouTuber.
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1. Singh, R. (2016). YouTube Attempts to Sue Against Video Downloaders.
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/276692