How To Download YouTube Videos (OFFICIAL METHOD ONLY)
Learn how to download YouTube videos using the only official method: YouTube Premium. We also cover safe screen recording alternatives for Mac and PC.
Key Takeaways
If you are looking to save YouTube videos for offline viewing, you might have noticed a flood of third-party apps and shady websites promising quick downloads. However, there is actually only one official, YouTube-sanctioned method to download videos directly from the platform.
Below, we will cover the official method, as well as alternative technical workarounds for capturing video and audio, along with important copyright considerations you need to know.
The Official Method: YouTube Premium
The only official way to download a YouTube video is by having an active YouTube Premium subscription.
If you are a Premium member, the process is incredibly simple:
FAQ
Are third-party YouTube video downloaders safe to use?
According to the article, there is a flood of third-party apps and shady websites that promise quick downloads, but these are unauthorized. The only safe, secure, and officially sanctioned method to download YouTube videos is with a YouTube Premium subscription.
Is it legal to screen record a YouTube video instead of downloading it?
Screen recording a YouTube video can violate platform terms of service and copyright laws. You should only use screen recording software if you are capturing your own content, the video is in the public domain, or you have explicit permission from the copyright holder.
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A YouTube Premium subscription is the only official, secure, and creator-supported method to download videos for offline viewing.
Screen recording serves as a technical workaround to capture video and internal audio, but users must ensure they comply with copyright laws and platform terms of service.
If only the audio track is needed, you can use this tutorial to convert video to MP3.
Open the YouTube app or website.
Navigate to the video you want to save.
Look for the Download button located directly under the video player.
Click or tap the button to save the video.
This feature allows you to download and watch videos through the YouTube app, even if you are completely offline. Because this is the officially sanctioned method, it is safe, secure, and directly supports the creators you are watching.
Alternative Workarounds: Screen Recording
If you do not have YouTube Premium, you might be looking for other ways to save video content to your device. The most common technical workaround to capture a video without using unauthorized third-party downloaders is screen recording.
By using screen recording software, you can capture the video and the internal audio exactly as it plays on your computer screen.
Important Legal Disclaimer: While we are explaining how the technology works, we cannot officially recommend using screen recording software to capture YouTube videos. Before you record or capture any content, you must ensure that you are not breaking any copyright laws or violating platform terms of service. This method should only be used if you have explicit permission from the copyright holder, if the video is in the public domain, or if you are capturing your own previously uploaded content.
Helpful Screen Recording Tutorials
If you have verified that you are legally permitted to capture the content on your screen, you will need the right tools for your specific operating system. Below are several highly recommended, step-by-step tutorials to help you screen record or extract audio for free:
To stay completely within official guidelines and enjoy a seamless offline viewing experience, upgrading to YouTube Premium is the way to go. If you decide to explore screen recording software for your own projects or permitted content, the tutorials linked above will guide you through capturing high-quality video and internal audio on both Mac and PC.
Feel free to leave a comment below to share your experiences or help each other out!
How can I screen record YouTube videos on a Windows PC?
If you have permission to capture the video, Windows users can record their screen along with the internal audio. For a step-by-step guide, check out this Fast & Easy Tutorial for Windows PC or this OBS Studio Tutorial for advanced users.
What is the best way to record internal audio from a YouTube video on a Mac?
Mac users can capture screen and internal audio using specialized methods. Assuming you have the legal right to record the content, you can learn the steps in this Free Mac Tutorial.
Can I save just the audio from a YouTube video?
Yes, you can extract or capture audio if you are legally permitted to do so. To learn how to convert a video into an MP3 file, you can watch this Free & Easy Conversion Guide.
