Introduction

Have you ever come across a YouTube video that you wish you could watch offline later? Unfortunately, YouTube doesn’t make it easy to do so. Fortunately, there are workarounds that allow you to download YouTube videos for later viewing. In this article, we’ll explore different methods of downloading YouTube videos on desktop tools, online downloader websites, Mac, mobile devices, and Windows. We’ll also highlight legal and ethical implications of downloading YouTube videos and tips on downloading videos for education or research purposes.

How to Download YouTube Videos using Desktop Tools

One popular way of downloading YouTube videos is by using a desktop video downloader tool. There are many different desktop tools available, but we’ll focus on two: 4K Video downloader and Freemake Video Downloader. These tools are safe, easy to use, and support the downloading of videos in various resolutions and formats.

Step-by-Step Guide: 4K Video Downloader

1. Download and install 4K Video Downloader from the official website.
2. Open the YouTube video you want to download and copy the URL.
3. Launch 4K Video Downloader and click on Paste Link.
4. Select the format and resolution you want and click on Download.

Step-by-Step Guide: Freemake Video Downloader

1. Download and install Freemake Video Downloader from the official website.
2. Open the YouTube video you want to download and copy the URL.
3. Launch Freemake Video Downloader and click on Paste URL.
4. Select the format and resolution you want and click on Download.

How to Download YouTube Videos using Online Downloader Websites

If you don’t want to install software on your computer, an online downloader website might be the best option for you. Some popular online downloader websites for downloading YouTube videos are Y2Mate, SaveFrom.net, and Keepvid. These websites are free and easy to use.

Step-by-Step Guide: Y2Mate

1. Open the YouTube video you want to download and copy the URL.
2. Visit the Y2Mate website in your web browser.
3. Paste the video URL into the search bar on the Y2Mate website.
4. Select the format and quality you want and click on Download.

Step-by-Step Guide: SaveFrom.net

1. Open the YouTube video you want to download and copy the URL.
2. Visit the SaveFrom.net website in your web browser.
3. Paste the video URL into the search bar on SaveFrom.net.
4. Select the format and quality you want and click on Download.

Step-by-Step Guide: Keepvid

1. Open the YouTube video you want to download and copy the URL.
2. Visit the Keepvid website in your web browser.
3. Paste the video URL into the search bar on Keepvid.
4. Select the format and quality you want and click on Download.

How to Download YouTube Videos on Mac

Downloading YouTube videos on a Mac is quite similar to the process of downloading them on a PC. Mac users can use built-in software like QuickTime or third-party apps like Airy for Mac.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using QuickTime

1. Open the YouTube video you want to download in your web browser.
2. Click on Window in the top menu and select Show A/V Controls.
3. Copy the URL of the YouTube video.
4. Click on File and select New Screen Recording.
5. Click on the Record button and select the area of the screen where the YouTube video is playing.
6. Click on Stop when the video is finished playing.
7. Save the video to your computer by clicking on File and selecting Save.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using Airy

1. Download and install Airy for Mac from the official website.
2. Open the YouTube video you want to download and copy the URL.
3. Launch Airy and paste the video URL.
4. Select the format and resolution you want and click on Download.

How to Download YouTube Videos on Mobile Devices

There are various apps available for downloading YouTube videos on mobile devices. Some popular ones are TubeMate, VidMate, and Aloha Browser.

Step-by-Step Guide: TubeMate

1. Download and install TubeMate from the official website.
2. Launch the app and search for the YouTube video you want to download.
3. Select the format and quality you want and click on Download.

Step-by-Step Guide: VidMate

1. Download and install VidMate from the official website.
2. Launch the app and search for the YouTube video you want to download.
3. Select the format and quality you want and click on Download.

Step-by-Step Guide: Aloha Browser

1. Download and install Aloha Browser from the official website.
2. Launch the app and visit the YouTube website.
3. Enter the video you want to download in the search bar and play it.
4. Click on the download button that appears on the screen.

How to Download YouTube Videos on Windows

Downloading YouTube videos on a PC is also easy. You can use web browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox, along with extensions like Video DownloadHelper or Easy Youtube Video Downloader Express.

Step-by-Step Guide: Google Chrome and Video DownloadHelper

1. Download and install Google Chrome and Video DownloadHelper.
2. Launch Google Chrome and navigate to the YouTube video you want to download.
3. Click on the Video DownloadHelper extension.
4. Select the format and quality you want and click on Download.

Step-by-Step Guide: Firefox and Easy Youtube Video Downloader Express

1. Download and install Firefox and Easy Youtube Video Downloader Express.
2. Launch Firefox and navigate to the YouTube video you want to download.
3. Click on the Easy Youtube Video Downloader Express extension.
4. Select the format and quality you want and click on Download.

Legal and Ethical Implications of Downloading YouTube Videos

While it’s easy to download YouTube videos, it’s important to be aware of the legal and ethical implications of doing so. YouTube’s terms of service explicitly prohibit downloading videos without permission. This means that downloading copyrighted material without permission is illegal. In addition to legal consequences, downloading YouTube videos without permission could be seen as unethical and disrespectful to the content creator.

Fortunately, there are alternative legal ways to access content offline. YouTube Premium offers offline viewing for $11.99 per month. Some videos on YouTube are also part of the public domain, meaning they can be used freely. Additionally, some content creators allow downloading of their videos for personal use. Always check the terms of service or contact the content creator if you’re unsure.

How to Download YouTube Videos for Education or Research Purposes

If you want to download YouTube videos for education or research purposes, it’s important to cite and credit the source of the content. While it may be legal to use short clips of someone else’s content for education or research purposes, it’s always good practice to give credit to the original source.

Conclusion

While YouTube doesn’t make it easy to download videos, there are many workarounds to do so. This article has explored different ways of downloading YouTube videos on desktop tools, online downloader websites, Mac, mobile devices, and Windows. We’ve also highlighted legal and ethical implications of downloading videos and provided tips on downloading videos for education or research purposes. We hope this article has been helpful, and encourage readers to leave comments or questions, or share the article with others.