Introduction
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you want to watch a YouTube video offline but can’t find a way to download it to your computer? It can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you have limited internet connectivity or want to watch the video again and again. Fortunately, there are different methods and tools you can use to download YouTube videos to your computer.
This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to download a YouTube video, as well as introduce you to video downloader tools, browser extensions, Command Prompt, online downloading websites, VLC media player, and mobile apps. So let’s dive in!
Step-by-Step Guide
Downloading a YouTube video to your computer is actually much simpler than you might think. Here is a simple overview of the basic steps:
1. Locate the YouTube video you want to download.
2. Copy the URL of the video from the address bar.
3. Open a video downloader tool.
4. Paste the video URL in the downloader.
5. Choose the desired video quality and click on the Download button.
6. Wait for the download to finish.
7. Enjoy your downloaded YouTube video offline.
Now let’s go through each step in detail:
1. Locate the YouTube video you want to download: Open YouTube in your preferred web browser and find the video you want to download.
2. Copy the URL of the video from the address bar: Highlight the text in the address bar and right-click on the highlighted text to copy the video’s URL.
3. Open a video downloader tool: Open a video downloader tool on your computer. Some popular examples include 4K Video Downloader, Freemake Video Downloader, and YTD Video Downloader.
4. Paste the video URL in the downloader: Choose the preferred quality of the video and paste the copied URL into the downloader.
5. Choose the desired video quality and click on the Download button: Pick the desired quality of the video and click on the Download button to begin downloading the video.
6. Wait for the download to finish: Once the download starts, wait for it to finish.
7. Enjoy your downloaded YouTube video offline: The downloaded YouTube video can be found on your computer, ready to watch offline anytime.
Video Downloader Tools
One of the best ways to download YouTube videos to your computer is to use a video downloader tool. Here are some popular video downloader tools:
1. 4K Video Downloader: This tool is free to use and available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu. Users can download videos, playlists, and channels from YouTube in various formats and quality options. However, the tool’s free version comes with some limitations, like downloading only up to 25 videos per day.
2. Freemake Video Downloader: This tool is available on Windows. It allows users to download YouTube videos in various formats and provides conversion options for downloading videos in different formats. But it comes with some limitations, like downloading only up to 30 videos per day.
3. YTD Video Downloader: This tool is available on Windows and macOS. Users can download YouTube videos, playlists, and channels in various formats and quality options. However, the free version of YTD Video Downloader comes with some annoying ads, and downloading videos in higher resolution requires buying the paid version.
Browser Extensions
Another way to download YouTube videos to your computer is to use browser extensions. Here are some popular browser extensions for downloading YouTube videos:
1. Video DownloadHelper: Available on Chrome and Firefox, Video DownloadHelper can download videos from YouTube and many other platforms. It also allows users to convert videos to various formats and record videos from a webcam or screen.
2. FastestTube: This extension is available on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It enables users to download videos from YouTube in various qualities and formats easily.
3. Keepvid: This extension is available on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It lets the user download YouTube videos in various formats and quality. Though the extension may come with the risk of downloading malware or malicious software, so use with caution.
Command Prompt Method
Those who use Windows can download YouTube videos to their computer using the Command Prompt. Here’s how:
1. Find the YouTube video you want to download and copy its URL.
2. Open Command Prompt on your computer by pressing Windows + R keys and typing “cmd” into the Run dialog box and hitting OK.
3. Type “cd/” into the command prompt and hit enter.
4. Type “cd Users” and hit enter.
5. Type “cd [your user name]” and hit enter.
6. Type “cd desktop” and hit enter.
7. Type “youtube-dl” followed by the copied URL of the video and hit enter. The download will begin.
8. After the download is finished, find the video on your desktop.
Online Downloading Websites
There are many online downloading websites available that let you download YouTube videos. Here are some popular ones:
1. Keepvid: Keepvid is a free online downloader website for downloading videos from different platforms, including YouTube. Users can download videos in different formats and quality options, including 4K videos.
2. Savefrom.net: This website allows users to download YouTube videos by pasting the video’s URL in the website. Users can also download videos from Vimeo, Facebook, and many other platforms.
3. Y2mate: Y2mate is another online downloading website that lets you download YouTube videos in different formats and quality.
However, be aware that these online downloading websites may come with risks such as malware or intrusive ads. Use with caution.
Using VLC Media Player
VLC is a popular media player that can also be used to download YouTube videos. Here are the steps:
1. Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to download.
2. Open VLC media player on your computer.
3. Click on Media > Open Network Stream and paste the URL into the box.
4. Click on the Play button and start playing the video.
5. Right-click on the video and select Tools > Codec Information.
6. In the new window that appears, copy the entire URL address next to the “Location” box.
7. Paste this URL into your web browser and hit Enter.
8. Right-click on the video in the browser and select “Save Video As.”
9. Choose where you want to save the video on your computer. The video will start downloading.
Mobile Apps
Many mobile apps help you download YouTube videos on your smartphone. Here are some popular ones:
1. TubeMate: Available on Android, TubeMate lets users download YouTube videos in different formats and quality options. It also has a built-in video player.
2. Documents by Readdle: This iOS-only app allows users to download YouTube videos and many other platforms as well. The app also works as a file manager and document scanner.
3. Vidmate: Available on both Android and iOS, Vidmate lets you download videos from various platforms, including YouTube. However, use it with caution as the app may come with security risks.
Conclusion
Downloading YouTube videos to your computer is not that difficult, and there are numerous ways to do it. This article provided a step-by-step guide to download YouTube videos, as well as introduced you to video downloader tools, browser extensions, Command Prompt, online downloading websites, VLC media player, and mobile apps. We encouraged you to try out different methods to find the one that works best for you. And remember to use these tools and websites with caution, as they may come with security risks or limitations that you should be aware of.