What to Do When You Can't Download Videos from YouTube Anymore
How to Download YouTube Videos for Free
YouTube is the most popular video-sharing platform in the world, with billions of hours of content available for streaming. But what if you want to watch your favorite YouTube videos offline, or save them for later viewing? Maybe you're traveling, or you have a limited data plan, or you just want to enjoy some videos without ads or interruptions.
Downloading YouTube videos can be a great solution for these scenarios, but there are some things you need to know before you do it. First of all, you should be aware that downloading YouTube videos may violate Google's terms of service, which state that you are not allowed to access, reproduce, download, distribute, or otherwise use any part of the service or any content except as expressly authorized by the service or with prior written permission from YouTube and the respective rights holders.
unable to download youtube videos
Secondly, you should respect the copyright of the video creators and only download videos that are in the public domain, or that you have permission from the owners to download. Downloading videos without consent may be considered piracy and could result in legal action. Thirdly, you should be careful about the software or apps that you use to download YouTube videos, as some of them may contain malware, spyware, or unwanted extras that could harm your device or compromise your privacy.
With that said, if you still want to download YouTube videos for your own personal offline use, there are some free tools that can help you do it safely and easily. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best free YouTube video downloader software and apps that you can use on your PC or mobile device. We will also show you how to use them step by step, and answer some frequently asked questions about downloading YouTube videos.
The Best Free YouTube Video Downloader Software
If you want to download YouTube videos on your computer, you will need a software program that can handle the task. There are many free YouTube downloader software options available, but not all of them are reliable, secure, or user-friendly. Here are three of the best free YouTube video downloader software that we recommend:
4K Video Downloader
Features and benefits
It can download videos from YouTube and other popular video sites, such as Vimeo, Facebook, TikTok, and more.
It can download videos in various formats, such as MP4, MKV, 3GP, and FLV.
It can download videos in various resolutions, from 720p to 8K.
It can download videos with subtitles and annotations.
It can download 3D and 360-degree videos.
It can download entire playlists or channels (up to 24 videos with the free version).
It has a simple and intuitive user interface.
It is ad-free and does not include any bundled extra software.
How to use it
Download and install 4K Video Downloader from . Make sure to get the latest version.
Go to the YouTube video that you want to download in your web browser.
Copy the video's URL from the address bar.
Open 4K Video Downloader and click on "Paste Link". The program will analyze the video and display some options for download.Paste the video's URL in the pop-up window and click on "Analyze". The program will analyze the video and display some options for download.
Select the format, resolution, and quality that you want for your video. You can also choose to download subtitles and audio tracks if available.
Click on "OK" and then on "Download Now" to start the download. You can see the progress and speed of the download in the main window.
Once the download is complete, you can find your video in the destination folder that you specified. You can also play it directly from the program by clicking on "Play".
SnapDownloader
Features and benefits
It can download videos from YouTube and over 900 other video sites, such as Reddit, Twitch, Vimeo, and more.
It can download videos in various formats, such as MP4, MP3, M4A, and more.
It can download videos in various resolutions, from 144p to 8K.
It can download videos with subtitles and metadata.
It can download VR and 360-degree videos.
It can download multiple videos at once (up to 15 with the free version) and playlists (up to 30 videos with the free version).
It has a high-speed download engine, with support for proxy servers and resume downloads.
It has a clean and simple interface, with no ads or malware.
How to use it
Download and install SnapDownloader from . Make sure to get the latest version.
Go to the YouTube video that you want to download in your web browser.
Copy the video's URL from the address bar.Open SnapDownloader and paste the video's URL in the search box. The program will analyze the video and display some options for download.
Select the format, resolution, and quality that you want for your video. You can also choose to download subtitles and metadata if available.
Click on "Download" and choose a destination folder for your video. You can also add more videos to the download queue by repeating the previous steps.
Once the download is complete, you can find your video in the destination folder that you specified. You can also play it directly from the program by clicking on "Play".
The Best Free YouTube Video Downloader Apps
If you want to download YouTube videos on your mobile device, you will need an app that can do the job. There are many free YouTube downloader apps available, but not all of them are trustworthy, compatible, or functional. Here are three of the best free YouTube video downloader apps that we recommend:
YouTube Premium
Features and benefits
It is the official subscription service from YouTube that allows you to download videos and watch them offline on your mobile device.
It can download videos in various resolutions, from 144p to 1080p.
It can download videos with subtitles and audio tracks.
It can download playlists and channels (up to 100 videos per playlist).
It also offers other benefits, such as ad-free viewing, background play, access to YouTube Music and YouTube Originals, and more.
How to use it
Download and install the YouTube app from or , depending on your device. Make sure to get the latest version.
Sign up for a YouTube Premium account from . You can get a free trial for one month, and then pay $11.99 per month afterwards.Go to the YouTube video that you want to download in the YouTube app.
Tap on the "Download" button below the video. You can also tap on the three-dot menu and select "Download".
Select the resolution and quality that you want for your video. You can also choose to download subtitles and audio tracks if available.
Tap on "OK" and wait for the app to finish the download. You can see the progress and speed of the download in the app.
Once the download is complete, you can find your video in the "Library" section of the app, under the "Downloads" tab. You can also play it directly from the app by tapping on it.
VLC Media Player
Features and benefits
It is a free and open-source media player that can play almost any video or audio format.
It can also download videos from YouTube and other video sites, such as Facebook, Vimeo, and more.
It can download videos in various formats, such as MP4, WebM, OGG, and more.
It can download videos in various resolutions, from 144p to 4K.
It can download videos with subtitles and audio tracks.
It has a simple and easy-to-use interface.
How to use it
Download and install VLC Media Player from . Make sure to get the latest version.</li Go to the YouTube video that you want to download in your web browser.
Copy the video's URL from the address bar.
Open VLC Media Player and click on "Media" on the top menu. Then click on "Open Network Stream".
Paste the video's URL in the pop-up window and click on "Play". The video will start playing in VLC.
Click on "Tools" on the top menu and select "Codec Information". You will see a long URL in the "Location" box at the bottom of the window.
Copy that URL and paste it in your web browser. The video will start playing in your browser.
Right-click on the video and select "Save video as". Choose a destination folder and a file name for your video. Then click on "Save".
Wait for the browser to finish the download. You can see the progress and speed of the download in the browser.
Once the download is complete, you can find your video in the destination folder that you specified. You can also play it directly from your browser or VLC Media Player.
Open Video Downloader
Features and benefits
It is a free and open-source app that can download videos from YouTube and other video sites, such as Dailymotion, Vimeo, and more.
It can download videos in various formats, such as MP4, WebM, M4A, and more.
It can download videos in various resolutions, from 144p to 4K.
It can download videos with subtitles and audio tracks.
It can download multiple videos at once (up to 10 with the free version) and playlists (up to 50 videos with the free version).
It has a simple and minimalist interface, with no ads or distractions.
How to use it
Download and install Open Video Downloader from . Make sure