It’s safe to say we’ve all encountered moments when we wanted to download a specific video—whether to prepare for a long trip without Wi-Fi or save tutorials for future reference. Whatever your reason may be, this guide will walk you through the simple methods todownload YouTube videoson a Mac.
The simple answer is no. According to Google, “You may access Content for your information and personal use solely as intended through the provided functionality of the Service and as permitted under these Terms of Service.” Additionally, YouTube reserves the right to terminate your account if any violation is found.
However, there are two ways to circumvent this issue legally. First, YouTube lets its Premium members download videos in the app for offline viewing. Second, you can download copyright-free,Creative Commons-license, and your own videos.
As mentioned, YouTube’s terms of service prohibit downloading videos without permission unless you’re usingYouTube Premium. This subscription allows users to download any video, making it the safest and most legal method. Here’s how to download videos:
You can also check the “Remember My Settings” box to skip this final step for future downloads. These downloads will remain on your Mac indefinitely, provided you connect to the internet at least once every 30 days. However, remember that the videos are only accessible through the YouTube app. Also, you will lose access to the downloads if you cancel your Premium subscription.
Note: Use the following method only to download your own or copyright-free videos.
If you don’t want to spend money on YouTube Premium or want to save videos on your device, browser extensions can help. Just note that not all browser extensions are good—some may contain malware that can compromise your system. After testing several options, we found thatVideo DownloadHelperworked the best. Here’s how to use it:
If you have an older or less powerful system, installing a browser extension might not be ideal, considering they do impact system performance. In such cases, third-party tools likeSaveTubecan be a good alternative. However, be careful when dealing with pop-ups and sketchy ads on such platforms.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
So, there you have it! Now, you can download any YouTube video on your Mac for offline viewing. Remember, credit the original creator if you plan to share these videos on other platforms.
