Do you know it‘s possible to download your favorite YouTube videos to watch without internet? As a tech geek who analyzes digital trends, I often get asked – "How do I save YouTube videos on my phone/computer for viewing offline?"
So in this guide, I will share the leading methods to watch YouTube sans internet, based on your preferences.
Why View YouTube Offline?
Before jumping into the how-to, let me briefly explain why you may want to watch YouTube videos offline:
No Internet Access – Save videos to watch on flights, in basements or areas with no signals
Limited Mobile Data – Avoid burning through data caps by downloading over WiFi instead
Ad-free Experience – Say goodbye to irritating YouTube ads interrupting your entertainment
Smooth Playback – Get stutter-free playback even on low bandwidth connections
Permanent Availability – Retain access to favorite videos that may get removed later
Now that you know the why, let me present the top techniques to save YouTube videos offline on phones, laptops, tablets and more.
Overview of YouTube Offline Methods
There are several ways to store YouTube videos for offline viewing. I have categorized them into six distinct methods:
| Method | Overview |
|---|---|
| YouTube Download Feature | YouTube‘s free built-in option to download videos from app or website |
| YouTube Premium | Paid subscription by YouTube that enables ad-free and offline downloads |
| Online Video Converters | Websites that allow downloading YouTube videos by pasting link |
| Third-Party Apps | Mobile and desktop apps created specifically for downloading online videos |
| Browser Extensions | Add-ons that integrate download options for YouTube videos in web browsers |
| Link Modification | Editing YouTube URL to force enable video download by bypassing restrictions |
I have analyzed the pros and cons of each method in detail below. So keep reading to pick the best ones suited for you!
Method 1 – Using YouTube‘s Built-in Download Feature
YouTube offers a straightforward way to save videos offline directly from its website and mobile apps. But this method has some limitations:
Pros
- Easy one-click download right within YouTube
- Available on website as well as mobile apps
Cons
Some videos don‘t allow downloads due to owner restrictions
Downloaded videos expire in 48 hours to 29 days if not synced online
Only allows streaming on 5 devices per video
But despite flaws, it‘s still worthwhile since it‘s free and official. Let me guide you on setting it up.
On YouTube Website:
- Play the video you wish to download on YouTube website
- Click the Download icon below the video frame as shown below:
- This will start downloading the video onto your computer
- A notification confirms once download is completed
Find saved videos in Library -> Downloads. Do note videos downloaded via website can only be streamed on the same browser.
On Mobile YouTube App:
The process is quite similar on the mobile app:
- Launch YouTube app on your Android or iOS phone
- Tap on a video to start playing
- Hit the Download button below video title
- Select quality and click Download
Downloaded videos get saved within the app itself. You can stream them under the Library tab even without internet.
But there‘s a catch! If you don‘t connect online at least once a month, downloaded videos get deleted automatically.
This leads us to our next method for unlimited and unrestricted offline viewing.
Method 2 – Getting YouTube Premium Subscription
YouTube Premium is a paid service by YouTube that offers perks like:
- Ad-free video streaming
- Play videos in background
- Download videos with no limits
- Access downloads across devices
The no-limits download feature makes Premium ideal for offline viewing. Let‘s analyze the pros and cons:
Pros
- Download any video without restrictions
- Videos saved forever unless manually deleted
- Stream on up to 10 devices per downloaded video
- Higher video playbacks than free YouTube
Cons
- Paid subscription of $11.99/month required
- Cannot share downloaded videos across accounts
As visible, apart from the subscription fee, YouTube Premium solves all limitations around offline viewing.
Here are the simple steps to leverage this:
- Login to your YouTube Premium account
- Play the video you want to take offline
- Click Download icon below video
- On mobile, choose Quality
- Find downloads in Library -> Downloads tab
I have used Premium for years and it delivers flawlessly on offline viewing capabilities. But in case you cannot afford it, there are some free options too.
Let‘s move on to the next method using free online tools.
Method 3 – Using Online Video Converters
Numerous websites have emerged that can download YouTube videos with just the video URL. I have collated some popular ones:
| Website | Overview |
|---|---|
| SaveFrom.Net | Download videos up to 8K resolution |
| KeepVid | No need to paste links, search for videos right on site |
| OnlineVideoConverter | Additional video conversion features besides downloading |
| VideoProc | Mac & Windows software with browser extensions too |
| ClipConverter | Very fast conversion and download speeds |
I tested these out and found them pretty straightforward. Just copy the YouTube share link and paste into site.
But before we proceed, be aware of pesky ads and links on such tools that may risk privacy or malware. Use reputed ones like SaveFrom.Net and always scan files after download.
Here‘s a walkthrough of using SaveFrom.Net – one of my favorites:
On Desktop
- Get the YouTube video link either from the address bar or Share -> Copy Link
- Open SaveFrom.Net and paste the link into the search bar
- Click the Download button
- Select the MP4 format and desired quality
- Video starts downloading to your computer
Finding videos on SaveFrom.Net is convenient too. But on mobile, it requires multiple steps. Let‘s check that next.
On Mobile
- In the YouTube app, Tap Share -> Copy Link
- Open SaveFrom.Net in your mobile browser
- Paste the YouTube link in the website‘s search bar
- Choose MP4 and tap the download icon to initialize
- Select storage location to save the video
SaveFrom.Net works reliably to take YouTube videos offline. But on mobile, it can get tedious without a dedicated app.
That brings us to method #4 on apps for simplified downloads.
Method 4 – Using Dedicated Download Apps
Platform-specific apps created just for downloading online videos make the process smooth. Let me categorize the top app options:
1. Video Downloader Apps
| App | Platform | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Snaptube | Android | Download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and more |
| Documents by Readdle | iOS | Built-in browser to download videos & other files |
| Videoder | Android, iOS | Free with option for paid upgrade for more features |
2. Desktop YouTube Downloaders
| App | Platform | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 4K Video Downloader | Windows, Mac | Browser extension for direct downloads from video sites |
| iTubeGo YouTube Downloader | Windows, Mac | Custom video/audio conversion after downloading |
Snaptube App Demo
Let me walk you through downloading videos using Snaptube for Android:
- Install Snaptube app from official website or app store
- Grant the required permissions like storage access
- In YouTube app, Tap Share -> Copy Link to copy video URL
- Paste the link in Snaptube and tap Download
- Select video quality and preferred save location
Dedicated apps provide the best offline viewing experience. But double check for shady in-app purchases or subscription plans before installing.
For desktop users, browser extensions are easier than standalone apps. Let‘s explore our next method.
Method 5 – Browser Extensions for Direct Downloads
Browser add-ons enable quick YouTube video downloads right from your Chrome, Firefox or similar web browser.
Some useful YouTube downloader extensions:
| Extension | Compatible Browsers | Steps to Download |
|---|---|---|
| Video DownloadHelper | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Click extension icon on video page to download |
| FastestTube | Chrome, Opera, Firefox | Paste URL in extension popup to download |
| GetThemAll | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera | Choose video quality from extension dropdown |
These add a Download icon on YouTube video pages, so you can save videos in just two clicks!
Let me demonstrate setting up Video DownloadHelper on Chrome:
- Install Video DownloadHelper extension from the Chrome Web Store
- Pin the extension for easy access from Chrome‘s toolbar
- Play any YouTube video
- Click the extension icon below video title
- Select MP4 format and desired quality
- Video starts downloading to your computer
Browser extensions make downloading YouTube videos a breeze. But I don‘t recommend them on public computers due to privacy risks.
Finally, our last resort method if all else fails!
Method 6 – Modifying YouTube URLs to Download
Savvy internet users leverage a little-known trick – You can tweak YouTube video URLs to force download the video file!
This is made possible by YouTube link redirect services like:
- ssyoutube.com
- youtubepp.com
- pwnyoutube.com
When you open a YouTube link modified to any of the above domains, it shows options to download the video. Pretty smart!
Let me quickly walk through using ssyoutube.com:
- Copy the share link of the YouTube video
- Replace youtube.com with ssyoutube.com
- Paste edited link in browser‘s address bar
- Select MP4 format and quality
- Hit download to save video on your computer
The benefit here is no third-party app needed. But being unofficial services, modified links tend to frequently stop working.
So I suggest this as a temporary quick fix only. Reliable methods like Premium and Snaptube are safer long-term choices.
And we have reached the end of our 6 offline YouTube options! Let‘s recap the key pointers.
Conclusion – Which is the Best Method?
I tested and analyzed the top 6 ways to download YouTube for offline playback. Here‘s a comparative summary:
| Method | Pros | Cons | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Download Feature | Official, unlimited downloads with Premium | Restrictions in free version, videos expire | Good starting point, upgrade to Premium for best experience |
| Online Video Converters | No subscription, download from many sites | Spam/ads risks, unstable | Useful but careful of malicious links |
| Third-Party Apps | Smooth experience, dedicated for downloads | Privacy issues, platform-dependent | Reliable choice for mobile users |
| Browser Extensions | Quick downloads with just an add-on | Limited controls, some collect user data | Handy addition to desktop browsers |
| Link Modification | Fast method without installing anything | Unofficial workaround so tends to break | Short-term solution in a pinch |
For unlimited, licensed downloads – YouTube Premium is the ultimate solution, provided you can afford it.
Among free tools – browser extensions like Video DownloadHelper are great forquick desktop downloads. For mobiles, I recommend apps like Snaptube for the best experience.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions saving YouTube videos offline! I will be glad to help out.
Happy video hoarding!
