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How to Download YouTube Videos on Mac?

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The vast majority of Mac users consider YouTube the biggest video streaming platform out there. However, always depending on an Internet connection isn’t the most pleasant thing. Things get worse when you live in a remote area where the internet isn’t stable So, users that want to be able to watch their favorite YouTube videos when they’re offline need a reliable solution on how to download YouTube videos on their Mac and play them whenever they want. So, if you’re in need of an app that answers the “How to Download YouTube videos Mac” question, check out the exhaustive article we prepared.

Save Videos Using a YouTube Video Downloader

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1. Airy
Requirements: OS X 10.9+. 23.1MB free space. Version 3.22.327. (15 Feb, 2021). 4.9 Rank based on 811+ users, Reviews(885)
Category: UtilitiesApplication
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There are multiple options for software that helps you download YouTube videos for Mac. However, after series of tests and research, our experts identified Airy as the best solution for all users that want to rapidly and securely save videos from YouTube. It comes with a straightforward interface, plenty of features like downloading in batch, download playlists and even entire channels. Also, it can download videos from YouTube and include the subtitles as well. In other words, it’s an all-in-one YouTube video downloader.

Use Airy to download a YouTube video in 3 clicks

How to download video from YouTube using Airy

1. Install Airy after Downloading it on your Mac.

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2. Open YouTube and go to the video you wish to download. Go to YouTube and use the search bar to locate the video you want to save on your Mac.

Step 1 on how to download from YouTube for free with Airy.

3. Copy the URL of the YouTube Video. In your browser, select the URL from YouTube and hit ⌘ Command+C or right-click - copy.

Step 2 on how to download videos from YouTube for free with Airy

4. Paste the URL in Airy. Open Airy and insert the YouTube URL in its interface. ⌘ Command+V is the key combo to paste the URL.

Step 3 on how to save YouTube videos for free

5. Choose settings and download. Choose MP4 from the available formats and also choose the quality for the final video before hitting the download button. Also, choose the download pathway and your file will be ready there.

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Elmedia Player PRO

Elmedia Player PRO is a player indeed, but there are so many other roles it can play! PRO version can download online videos and extract soundtrack from video including those videos hosted on YouTube, Vimeo and Dailymotion. It can do stuff similar to iTunes like create, manage and delete playlists. Elmedia Player can play pretty much any file type out there.

Download YouTube video with Elmedia

How to download a video from YouTube on Mac with Elmedia

Follow these steps to download YouTube videos with Elmedia Player PRO:

  1. Download Elmedia and register PRO version with activation code that you can get to email after purchasing the license.
  2. Switch to the browser mode in the main menu.
  3. Enter the link for YouTube video and press Enter.
  4. See the list of files available for download at that link and choose the file. Click Download.
  5. You can choose the preferred video format (MP4, 3GP, WebM, FLV, etc.).
  6. By default files are saved to the Downloads folder. You can adjust this in Preferences.

Folx PRO

Folx PRO is a free download manager for Mac OS with the true Mac appearance. It is a combination of two apps in one: a download manager and a torrent client. Free Folx is a rather full app, however it is always a good idea to upgrade it to a PRO version with lots of wonderful handy features.

How to download from YouTube with Folx

How to Download YouTube Videos from YouTube using Folx PRO

To download videos from YouTube with Folx perform these steps:

  • Download Folx to your computer and register the PRO version with a code that you receive in your inbox after buying the license.
  • Paste a YouTube link to the Folx window and hit Enter.
  • Click OK to finalize the task.

Adjust the download settings:

  1. Assign tags (for example, YouTube). You can assign as many as you want.
  2. Set the download location.
  3. Select the video format you want to save your video as. If you only need the sound, select audio.
  4. You can set a custom description for the video.

How to Download YouTube Videos with Browser Integrations

Download YouTube Video in Chrome

To begin with, the browser doesn’t accept extensions that aren’t available on Chrome Web Store. This means you will need to apply another workaround to get the job done.

  1. Install Crosspilot. This Chrome extension will allow you to add other extensions with sources other than the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Visit Addoncrop. This is a website with extensions for Chrome that you are going to use to find the Chrome extension to download videos.
  3. Download the extension. YouTube Video Downloader is the name of the extension you will need.
  4. Once you locate the extension, click on “Install via Crosspilot” and give it some time to finish the install process.
  5. Check if the extension was added. Go to YouTube and choose a video to test if the Chrome extension works.
  6. Select the quality you want for the video and start the download. Once the extension localizes the YouTube video, you will see a pop-up window where you will select the resolution and hit download.
How to download from YouTube for free with Chrome extension

How to Download YouTube Videos in Firefox

Even if it’s not as popular as it once was, before Chrome became the go-to browser, Firefox still has plenty of fans out there. So, we needed to present a solution for Firefox users to download their favorite YouTube videos. So, if you ever find yourself asking how do I download YouTube videos to my Mac for free, here are the steps you should follow.

  1. Get the proper Add-on. Access https://addons.mozilla.org and look for the YouTube Video and Audio Downloader add-on. Just hit the Download button and the extension will be added to Firefox.
  2. Locate the YouTube Video. As soon as the add-on is added to Firefox, go to YouTube and you will see a download button appearing when you watch the video.
  3. Download the file. Hit the Download button that appears on the page and you will be able to choose the format for your file before starting the download.
How to download YouTube video online

Download Videos from YouTube to iPhone

We’ve seen multiple ways of how to download YouTube videos to Mac, however, what if you want to get the videos directly to your iPhone? If you want a solution that enables you to save the videos directly on your mobile device, we’re afraid your only option is YouTube Premium. And even though you will need to pay a monthly subscription for this service, you will get unlimited downloads and streaming of your favorite YouTube videos and audio. And if you’re not convinced you want to spend a monthly amount for such a service, YouTube Premium comes with a full month of free trial. Here’s how to download YouTube video on iPhone.

  1. Get YouTube Premium. To enjoy the service you first need to sign up for Youtube Premium. To do so, open YouTube on your iPhone and click on your profile icon to access the account. In case you’re using YouTube without an account, you will need to create one to enjoy YouTube premium. Once you got the account up an running, access it and tap “Get YouTube Premium”, then select “Try it Free”.
  2. Download Youtube Music. Go to the App Store and download Youtube Premium for a full experience.
  3. Locate the video you want. Open the app and search for the video you want to download. Once you find it, locate the three dots next to its title and tap on “Download”. This will save the video on your iPhone directly.
  4. IMPORTANT INFO: If the trial period expires and you choose not to continue the subscription, everything you downloaded will no longer be available.
Download YouTube video on iPhone

Save Videos from YouTube on Android

If you have a Mac but use an Android phone, you already know how difficult it can be to transfer files from one device to the other. Luckily for you, there’s a way to save YouTube videos directly on your Android phone without having to pay for anything. All you need to do is get the YouTube video URL and you’re good to go. Follow these steps to find out how to download Youtube videos on Android.

  1. Locate the video and Share it. Using the Android Youtube app, locate the video you want to download and then click the “Share” button to open the list of sharing options. From here, tap on Copy Link and this will instantly copy the URL in the phone’s clipboard.
  2. Use SavefromNet. Go to your browser and open https://en.savefrom.net. It’s better not to copy this web address if you previously copied the YouTube URL since you will be forced to go back to step one.
  3. Paste the URL from YouTube. Once on SavefromNet, you need to paste the URL by tapping and holding your finger in the search box until the “Paste” option becomes available.
  4. Download and Convert. SavefromNet comes with a Convert option that allows you to modify the format of the file you are downloading. Once you choose the file format, hit “Download” and you are good to go!

Videos from YouTube - Warnings, disclaimers, and tips

Even though downloading videos from YouTube is a safe operation as long as you are downloading them for personal use, it’s still better to be aware of these tips and disclaimers before you engage in such an action. Some of these points may seem as common sense to most of our readers, however, it doesn’t hurt to have them listed.

  • Always double-check the trustworthiness of a download website. Some of them might come with unwanted ads, malware, or fake download links.
  • Any intention of making a profit through distributing videos or music from YouTube is against the law.
  • In some territories, even if you download music and videos from YouTube for personal use it may be illegal. It certainly goes against Google’s terms of use, however, only if it’s illegal in your jurisdiction you have a real reason to worry about.
  • Try to steer clear of unknown software or websites that promise exceptional YouTube downloads. Better look for the ones that are recommended by trusted publications, such as the ones in this article, or check Reddit / friend’s recommendations if you’re not sure.
  • Despite using the powerful apps we presented above, some videos are simply not downloadable. Some videos that are listed as private are not accessible no matter what app you use.
  • The video quality of the video you save on your computer can differ from what’s available on YouTube. Because the platform uses real-time digital processing for its videos, the final quality of the video you save may be lower than what you get on YouTube.

FAQ

Even when using an antivirus and all the security systems in the world, it’s almost impossible to spot malware on a website. That’s why the best way to choose YouTube downloaders is to go with trusted sources or ask friends and acquaintances that used a software already. A real-time scanner is a good idea as well, however, some take time to spot the malware and you still can get infected.
First of all you will need to download it on Mac. Then you can either sync them via iTunes or copy and paste them the classic way by connecting the iPod to your Mac / Windows computer.
Indeed, any video you download on your Mac or iPhone can then be played even without an internet connection. No matter where you are, you will always be able to enjoy your downloaded YouTube videos.
In case of an iPad, you will have to repeat the steps we described above for downloading YouTube videos on an iPhone. However, if you’re using an Android tablet, you have the complete steps on how to download videos directly on your mobile device. Check the How to Download YouTube Videos on Android section and you will find everything you need.
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