Download Videos From Youtube Mac
Rivka Licklider
How to Download Videos from YouTube on Mac
YouTube is one of the most popular video-sharing platforms in the world, with billions of hours of content available for streaming. However, sometimes you might want to download a video from YouTube to your Mac for offline viewing, editing, or sharing. For example, you might want to watch a tutorial, a documentary, or a music video without an internet connection, or you might want to save a video that might be deleted or blocked in the future.
But how can you download videos from YouTube on Mac? Is it legal and ethical to do so? And what are the best methods for doing it? In this article, we will answer these questions and show you five easy ways to download videos from YouTube on Mac, each with its own benefits and limitations. Let's get started!
Method 1: Using YouTube Premium
One of the easiest and most official ways to download videos from YouTube on Mac is by using a YouTube Premium subscription. YouTube Premium is a paid service that offers several features, such as ad-free viewing, background playback, access to original content, and offline downloads. It costs $11.99 per month in the US, but you can get a free trial for one month.
To download videos from YouTube on Mac with YouTube Premium, follow these steps:
- Navigate to YouTube in your browser and open the video you'd like to download.
- Select Download below the video player.
- Once the video has finished downloading, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left of the screen and select Downloads.
- Your video should now be available for offline viewing (you can test this by turning off your Mac's Wi-Fi and checking if the video begins playback).
Some of the benefits of using YouTube Premium are that you can download videos in high quality (up to 1080p), you can watch them without ads or interruptions, and you can support your favorite creators. However, some of the limitations are that you have to pay a monthly fee, you can only download videos that are available in your region, and you can only access your downloaded videos for up to 30 days without an internet connection.
Method 2: Using VLC Media Player
Another way to download videos from YouTube on Mac is by using VLC Media Player, a free and open-source media player that can play almost any video format. VLC Media Player also has a hidden feature that allows you to download videos from YouTube and other websites.
To download videos from YouTube on Mac with VLC Media Player, follow these steps:
- Download and install VLC Media Player on your Mac.
- Navigate to YouTube in your browser and open the video you'd like to download.
- Copy the URL of the video from the address bar.
- Open VLC Media Player and select File > Open Network.
- Paste the URL of the video in the box and click Open.
- Once the video starts playing in VLC, select Window > Media Information.
- Copy the URL from the Location box at the bottom.
- Paste the URL in your browser and press Enter.
- The video should now start playing in your browser. Right-click on the video and select Save Video As.
- Choose a name and location for your video file and click Save.
Some of the benefits of using VLC Media Player are that you can download videos for free, you can choose the quality and format of the video, and you can also use VLC to play, convert, or edit your downloaded videos. However, some of the limitations are that the process is a bit complicated and time-consuming, you might encounter some errors or glitches, and you might violate YouTube's terms of service by downloading videos without permission.
Method 3: Using an Online Converter
A third option to download videos from YouTube on Mac is by using an online converter, a website that allows you to paste a YouTube URL and download the video in various formats. There are many online converters available, such as Y2Mate, ClipConverter, or Online Video Converter.
To download videos from YouTube on Mac with an online converter, follow these steps:
- Navigate to YouTube in your browser and open the video you'd like to download.
- Copy the URL of the video from the address bar.
- Navigate to an online converter website of your choice.
- Paste the URL of the video in the box and click Start, Convert, or a similar button.
- Select the format and quality of the video you want to download and click Download.
- Your video should now start downloading to your Mac.
Some of the benefits of using an online converter are that you don't need to install any software, you can download videos quickly and easily, and you can choose from a variety of formats and qualities. However, some of the limitations are that some online converters might have ads, pop-ups, or malware, some online converters might not support all YouTube videos, and some online converters might have a limit on the size or length of the videos you can download.
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Method 4: Using 4K Video Downloader
A fourth way to download videos from YouTube on Mac is by using 4K Video Downloader, a software that allows you to download videos, playlists, channels, and subtitles from YouTube and other websites. 4K Video Downloader is free to use, but you can also upgrade to a premium version for more features.
To download videos from YouTube on Mac with 4K Video Downloader, follow these steps:
- Download and install 4K Video Downloader on your Mac.
- Navigate to YouTube in your browser and open the video you'd like to download.
- Copy the URL of the video from the address bar.
- Open 4K Video Downloader and click Paste Link.
- Select the format and quality of the video you want to download and click Download.
- Your video should now start downloading to your Mac.
Some of the benefits of using 4K Video Downloader are that you can download videos in high quality (up to 4K or 8K), you can download multiple videos at once, you can download entire playlists or channels, and you can also download subtitles or annotations. However, some of the limitations are that you have to install a software, you might encounter some bugs or errors, and you might need to upgrade to a premium version to unlock some features.
Method 5: Using Shortcuts on iOS Devices
A fifth and final way to download videos from YouTube on Mac is by using shortcuts on iOS devices, such as iPhone or iPad. Shortcuts are a feature that allows you to automate tasks and actions on your iOS device with a single tap. You can create your own shortcuts or use ones created by others.
To download videos from YouTube on Mac with shortcuts on iOS devices, follow these steps:
- Download and install Shortcuts app on your iOS device.
- Download and install YouTube app on your iOS device.
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap Gallery.
- Search for a shortcut that can download YouTube videos, such as YouTube Converter, YouTube Ripper, or YouTube Downloader.
- Tap Add Shortcut to add the shortcut to your library.
- Open the YouTube app and open the video you'd like to download.
- Tap the Share icon below the video player and select Shortcuts.
- Select the shortcut you added from the list and wait for it to run.
- The shortcut should download the video to your iOS device and give you an option to share it or save it to your files.
- You can then transfer the video file from your iOS device to your Mac via AirDrop, iCloud, or USB cable.
Some of the benefits of using shortcuts on iOS devices are that you can download videos without installing any software on your Mac, you can use your iOS device as a remote control for downloading videos, and you can also customize or create your own shortcuts. However, some of the limitations are that you need an iOS device with enough storage space, you might need to update or modify your shortcuts regularly, and you might have some compatibility issues with some YouTube videos.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you five easy ways to download videos from YouTube on Mac, each with its own benefits and limitations. You can use YouTube Premium, VLC Media Player, an online converter, 4K Video Downloader, or shortcuts on iOS devices. Depending on your needs, preferences, and budget, you can choose the best method for you.
However, before you download any video from YouTube, make sure you have the permission of the video owner and respect their rights and wishes. Also, be aware of the potential risks of downloading videos from untrusted sources or websites. Always use caution and common sense when downloading videos from YouTube on Mac.
We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. Happy downloading!
FAQs
Q: How can I download videos from YouTube on Mac without software?
A: One way to download videos from YouTube on Mac without software is by using an online converter, such as Y2Mate, ClipConverter, or Online Video Converter. You just need to paste the URL of the video and choose the format and quality of the video you want to download.
Q: How can I download videos from YouTube on Mac in 4K or 8K quality?
A: One way to download videos from YouTube on Mac in 4K or 8K quality is by using 4K Video Downloader, a software that allows you to download videos in high resolution. You just need to install the software, paste the URL of the video, and select the quality of the video you want to download.
Q: How can I download videos from YouTube on Mac with subtitles?
A: One way to download videos from YouTube on Mac with subtitles is by using VLC Media Player, a media player that can also download videos from YouTube and other websites. You just need to install the media player, paste the URL of the video, copy the URL from the media information window, paste it in your browser, right-click on the video, and select Save Video As. You can also use 4K Video Downloader to download videos with subtitles.
Q: How can I download playlists or channels from YouTube on Mac?
A: One way to download playlists or channels from YouTube on Mac is by using 4K Video Downloader, a software that allows you to download multiple videos at once. You just need to install the software, paste the URL of the playlist or channel, and select the format and quality of the videos you want to download.
Q: How can I transfer downloaded videos from my iOS device to my Mac?
A: One way to transfer downloaded videos from your iOS device to your Mac is by using AirDrop, a feature that allows you to share files wirelessly between Apple devices. You just need to enable AirDrop on both devices, select the video file on your iOS device, tap Share, and choose your Mac as the destination.
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