Downloading YouTube videos on your Mac can be really useful, especially when you want to watch them offline. Whether it’s for uninterrupted viewing, saving your favorite videos, or editing, finding the best tools and methods can be tricky. In this guide, we’ll look at easy ways to download videos safely, so you can watch them whenever you want, even without the internet.
Method 1: Direct Download via YouTube Premium
YouTube offers a premium service called YouTube Premium, which allows users to download videos directly for offline viewing. This service requires a subscription but is the most straightforward and legal method. To download a video using YouTube Premium:
- Subscribe to YouTube Premium.
- Open the YouTube app on your Mac.
- Find the video you want to download.
- Click on the “Download” button below the video.
- Choose the desired video quality, based on video quality you need to get premium.
- Access your downloaded videos in the “Library” or “Downloads”
Method 2: Screen Capture with Audio on a Mac
This method captures your entire screen activity, including the YouTube video and any surrounding elements. It’s a good option for quick recordings, but won’t isolate just the video.
Here’s how to use screen capture with audio on a Mac:
- Press and hold Shift+Command+5 to open the screenshot recording options.
- Choose “Record Entire Screen” or a specific window/area depending on your needs.
- Click the “Options” button .
- Click the record button to begin capturing. A timer will appear on the screen.
- Click the stop button in the menu bar when finished recording. The recording will be saved as a movie file on your Mac.
Method 3: Using Browser Extensions
Browser extensions make it easy to download YouTube videos, but they come with risks. These extensions may not undergo thorough security checks, so they could contain malware. This malware might infect your device, steal your data, or show unwanted ads. Additionally, there are copyright concerns to consider. However, if would still like to take advantage of these browser extensions, below are a few extensions that will help you download a YouTube video with ease on your Mac.
1. Video DownloadHelper:
- Available for Chrome and Firefox.
- Install the extension from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons.
- Once installed, visit YouTube and play the video.
- Click on the Video DownloadHelper icon in the browser toolbar.
- Select the desired video format and quality to download.
2. Addoncrop YouTube Video Downloader:
- Visit the Addoncrop website to install the extension.
- Follow the instructions to add the extension to your browser.
- A download button will appear below YouTube videos.
- Click the download button and choose the video format and quality.
3. SaveFrom.net Helper:
- Install the extension from SaveFrom.net.
- Open YouTube and play the video.
- A download button will appear next to the video title.
- Click the download button and choose your preferred format and quality.
Method 4: Using YouTube Video Downloading Websites
If you do not want to use the above-discussed methods, there are several websites that allow you to download YouTube videos by simply pasting the video URL. Below are some popular options that you can take advantage of:
1. Downie:
- Visit the Downie website and download the application.
- Install and open Downie.
- Copy the YouTube video URL and paste it into Downie.
- Downie will start downloading the video automatically.
2. EaseUS Video Downloader:
- Download and install EaseUS Video Downloader.
- Open the application and paste the YouTube video URL.
- Choose the desired format and quality.
- Click the download button to start downloading.
3. Savetube.io:
- Visit Savetube.io.
- Paste the YouTube video URL into the input field.
- Select the video format and quality.
- Click the download button to save the video to your Mac.
4. Parallels ToolBox:
- Download and install Parallels ToolBox.
- Open Parallels ToolBox and select the “Download Video” tool.
- Paste the YouTube video URL.
- Choose the video format and quality.
- Click the download button to start the download.
5. Pulltube:
- Download and install Pulltube.
- Open Pulltube and paste the YouTube video URL.
- Select the video format and quality.
- Click the download button to start the download.
6. iTubeDownloader:
- Visit the iTubeDownloader website and download the application.
- Install and open iTubeDownloader.
- Paste the YouTube video URL into the app.
- Choose the video format and quality.
- Click the download button to start downloading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Downloading copyrighted content without permission is illegal. However, there are situations where it might be allowed, such as downloading videos from channels you own or downloading videos with a Creative Commons license permitting download.
There are two main approaches: online web services or dedicated Mac applications. Online services are typically easier to use, requiring you to copy the video URL and paste it into their website. Popular choices include SaveFrom.net or Y2mate.
Yes, several free options exist for downloading YouTube videos on Mac. However, some free services might have limitations like video quality or restrict the number of downloads.
YTD Video Downloader and 4K Video Downloader are well-regarded paid options offering a range of features and reliable performance for downloading YouTube videos on Mac.
Paid applications often provide faster download speeds, support for higher video resolutions, and additional features like batch downloads or video format conversion.
Consider YouTube Premium if you frequently download videos. It offers ad-free viewing, background play, and the ability to download videos for offline viewing within the YouTube app.
Conclusion
There are numerous ways to download YouTube videos on a Mac, ranging from direct downloads with YouTube Premium to using third-party applications and browser extensions. Each method has its advantages, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prefer a straightforward approach or need more control over video quality and format, the methods outlined above will help you download YouTube videos efficiently and effectively.
