YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for streaming videos, including tutorials, music, movies, and more. While YouTube allows users to watch content online, many people want to download videos for offline viewing. Downloading videos can help you watch them without worrying about internet connectivity or buffering issues. This article provides a detailed information How to Download YouTube Videos legally and safely.
What is Youtube
YouTube is a popular online platform where people can watch, upload, share, and comment on videos. It allows users to find videos on almost any topic, including entertainment, education, news, tutorials, and vlogs. Anyone with an internet connection can access YouTube on computers, smartphones, or tablets. Users can also create their own channels, share their content, and interact with viewers through likes, comments, and subscriptions.
Download YouTube Video Without Any Software
Downloading YouTube videos by typing “ss” in the browser URL is a simple and quick method. This method uses a web service called SaveFrom.net, which allows you to download videos from YouTube without installing any software or third-party apps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you download videos effortlessly.
- Firstly open your computer browser and go to youtube.com.
- Next, open your desired youtube video that you wish to download on your PC.
- Now you click on the URL of that video on the browser URL bar above.

- After clicking on the video URL, add the word “ss” between youtube.com and www and Hit the Enter As shown in the image below.
https://ssyoutube.com/watch?v=abcd1234

- The browser will load and open a website for you. Where you will get the option to download the video

- Click on the download button to download the video on your computer. As soon as you click to download, the video download process will start in your browser.
download Youtube video via VLC Media player.
Downloading YouTube videos using VLC Media Player is a simple and effective method. VLC is not only a powerful media player but also a versatile tool that allows you to fetch videos from the internet. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you download YouTube videos via VLC.
Copy the YouTube Video URL
- Open YouTube in your web browser.
- Navigate to the video you want to download.
- Copy the video’s URL from the address bar at the top of the browser.
(For example, a URL looks like this:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
)

Open VLC Media Player
- Launch VLC Media Player on your computer.
- If you don’t have VLC installed, download and install it from the official website.

Open Network Stream in VLC
- Click on the Media menu in the VLC toolbar.

- Select Open Network Stream (on some versions, this option may appear as “Stream”).
- A new dialog box will appear.

Paste the YouTube URL
- In the Network URL field, paste the YouTube video link you copied earlier.
- Click Play (on some versions, this button may be labeled “Open”).

Retrieve the Direct Video URL
- Once the video starts playing in VLC, click on the Tools menu in the toolbar.

- Select Codec Information (or “Media Information” on some versions).
- A new window will appear with detailed information about the video.
- At the bottom of this window, you’ll see a field labeled Location. This contains the direct video URL.

Copy the Direct Video URL
- Highlight the entire URL in the Location field.
- Right-click and select Copy or press Ctrl+C (Windows) / Command+C (Mac).

Open the Direct URL in a Browser
- Open a new tab in your web browser.
- Paste the copied URL into the address bar and press Enter.
- The video will start playing directly in the browser.

Save the Video
- Right-click on the video playing in your browser.
- Select Save Video As (or a similar option depending on your browser).
- Choose a location on your computer to save the video and click Save. or Now click on the three Dots.

- And click on the Download option. Now your video will get downloaded to your PC.

Downloading Youtube Video through Chrome Extension.
Downloading YouTube videos through Chrome extensions is a quick and straightforward process. However, due to YouTube’s terms of service, some extensions might not be available on the official Chrome Web Store. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use a Chrome extension to download YouTube videos.
Install a Chrome Extension for Video Downloading
Since YouTube’s policies restrict direct downloads, popular extensions like Video Downloader for Chrome or SaveFrom.net Helper can be used. Here’s how:
- Open Chrome Web Store or an alternative trusted source like SaveFrom.net.
- Search for a video downloading extension (e.g., Video Downloader Plus).
- Click Add to Chrome and then select Add Extension to install it.
Note: If the extension isn’t available on the Chrome Web Store, download it from the developer’s website and follow the instructions for adding it manually.
Open the YouTube Video You Want to Download
- Go to YouTube in your Chrome browser.
- Play the video you want to download.
Activate the Extension
- Click on the extension icon in the Chrome toolbar (located in the top-right corner).
- The extension will detect the video playing on the page and display download options.
Choose the Video Quality and Format
- The extension will list available video formats (e.g., MP4, WebM) and resolutions (e.g., 720p, 1080p).
- Select your preferred quality and format from the dropdown menu.
Download the Video
- Click the Download button next to the chosen format.
- The video will begin downloading and save to your default download folder.
Alternative Method Using SaveFrom.net Extension
- Install the SaveFrom.net Helper extension from its official website.
- After installation, a download button will appear directly below the video on YouTube.
- Click the button, choose the quality, and download the video.
Downloading Youtube Video in Mobile Apps
Downloading YouTube videos on mobile devices can be handy for offline viewing. While the official YouTube app allows video downloads with a YouTube Premium subscription, there are also third-party apps that offer this feature. Below is a guide to downloading YouTube videos on mobile devices using various methods.
Using the Official YouTube App (YouTube Premium)
- Subscribe to YouTube Premium: Open the YouTube app and subscribe to YouTube Premium to unlock the offline download feature.
- Locate the Video: Open the YouTube app and search for the video you want to download.
- Download the Video: Tap the Download button (downward arrow) below the video. Select the preferred video quality (e.g., 720p or 1080p).
Using Third-Party Apps
If you don’t want to use YouTube Premium, third-party apps can help. Note that these apps may not be available on official app stores and should be used responsibly.
Option 1: SnapTube (Android)
- Download SnapTube: Visit the official SnapTube website and download the APK file. Install the app on your device (you may need to enable “Install from Unknown Sources” in your device settings).
- Search for the Video: Open SnapTube and use the built-in search bar to find the YouTube video you want.
- Download the Video: Tap the Download button and choose the video quality and format. The video will save to your device’s gallery or downloads folder.
Option 2: VidMate (Android)
- Install VidMate: Download the VidMate APK from its official website and install it.
- Search for the Video: Use the app’s search bar to find the YouTube video.
- Download the Video: Tap the Download button, select the desired format and resolution, and save the video.
Method 3: Using YouTube Go (Lightweight App)
- Install YouTube Go: Download the YouTube Go app (available in select regions on the Play Store).
- Search and Download: Search for the desired video, tap the Download icon, and choose the video quality.
- Access the Video: View the downloaded video directly in the app’s offline section.
Legal And Ethical Considerations
Before learning about the methods of How to Download YouTube Videos , it is important to understand the ethical and legal aspects of downloading YouTube videos. YouTube’s terms of service state that downloading content without proper authorization is prohibited, unless the feature is provided by YouTube itself, such as through YouTube Premium. Make sure you are not violating copyright laws when saving videos for offline use.
Conclusion
YouTube is a popular video-sharing platform that helps users to watch, like, comment, and uploads a couple of videos with ease. It is one of the best ways to connect with your target audience, no matter where you are, is to market the product or provide the information to the students.
On the basis of a network problem, or the business/higher education institution or country restrictions, you can not access YouTube videos. Free download a tool can help you to download videos for later use.
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