I. Introduction
There are several occasions where you may want to download a video from YouTube. Maybe you desire to watch the video on a plane or in an area with no internet access. Maybe you love the video so much that you want it saved on your device forever. Sadly, YouTube doesn’t provide an easy way to download its videos to our devices, which leaves us no option but to carry out several steps to get what we want. In this article, we have created a comprehensive guide to help you solve this issue.
II. The Step-by-Step Guide
The following steps explain how to download any YouTube video:
Finding the Video URL
The first step is to navigate to the video you desire to download and copy the URL. The URL can easily be discovered in the address bar of your internet browser.
Choosing a Download Site
Even though it is possible to download YouTube videos by using browser add-ons or online tools, the majority of these solutions are unsafe or ad-infested. Therefore, it is recommendable to check through options like KeepVid, ClipConverter.cc, or Y2Mate.
Selecting the Format and Quality
After copying the URL, you’ll have the chance to choose which video format and quality you desire. Most download sites provide various choices, from standard definition (240p, 360p) to high-definition (720p, 1080p, 4k).
Downloading the Video
Lastly, select the “Download” link to begin the download of the video file. Depending on the video length and your internet speed, the download may take a while to complete.
III. Using Third-Party Apps
Several third-party apps exist for downloading YouTube videos straight to your computer. However, be sure to use a reputable app to avoid viruses and malware.
Here are five popular tools to download YouTube videos via an app:
- 4K Video Downloader
- ClipGrab
- iTube HD Video Downloader
- WinX YouTube Downloader
- YTD Video Downloader
IV. The Screen Recording Alternative
If the chosen video download website does not work due to various reasons, you can save a YouTube video by recording your screen. Here are the tools that can help you with recording:
- Camtasia Studio (Paid)
- OBS Studio (Free)
- Bandicam (Paid)
Recording your screen to obtain the video has numerous advantages; for one, you can record the video at its highest quality.
V. Integrating with Chrome
Several extensions or plug-ins simplify YouTube video downloading when using Chrome. However, not all plug-ins are secure, and several may install viruses or adware. Therefore, you should be extremely careful when downloading them. Here are some reputable ones:
- Video DownloadHelper
- YouTube Video Downloader
- Flash Video Downloader
VI. Save it Offline for Playback
YouTube’s built-in offline feature lets users save videos for later viewing when they are offline. However, the feature is not available for all videos since it is only added by YouTube content providers who provide download options on their content.
To use this feature, you have to:
- Open the YouTube app
- Select the desired video
- Click on the “Download” button below the video window
VII. Mobile Devices
You may want to save videos on your mobile device as well. Happily, YouTube’s mobile app has an offline content download feature, which works similarly to the desktop version. Here’s how:
- Open the YouTube app and select your video of choice
- Click the “Download” button located below the video window
- Choose the quality and format
If your mobile device storage is limited, we advise you to reduce the resolution and video quality to save storage space.
VIII. Legal and Ethical Considerations
Before you download any video from YouTube, you should be cautious about the copyright laws and ethical considerations. It is crucial to only download videos that you have permission to use, or those that fall under the fair use laws.
Here are some key considerations:
- Terms of Service: Strictly observe the terms of YouTube’s conditions of service and copyright rules. Failure to abide by those rules could lead to the removal of your video and revocation of your account.
- Credit the Creator: Give credit to the content creator whenever you use or share a video. Mentioning the author or creator of the video enhances its authenticity.
- Legal Content: Only download videos that are legally available using the above methods
IX. Conclusion
This comprehensive guide has taught you how to download a YouTube video successfully. From using download sites to screen recording, offline mode and Chrome extensions, we’ve gone through all the most accessible methods. Nevertheless, you should always consider the legal and ethical concerns when downloading videos from YouTube.