How to Download YouTube Video without the App

Keep YouTube videos forever as local files

By LindsayPublished 3 years ago • 3 min read

This article is specially written for those who want to download videos from YouTube without its own app. Read and learn to keep YouTube videos forever as local files.

Part 1: All you need to know about YouTube’s download feature

Region restriction

The download feature is only available in the locations listed by YouTube (click here to view the list). If YouTube Premium is available in your location, you can download videos to your computer or mobile device by becoming a YouTube Premium member.

Update Download settings

To allow videos or playlists to be downloaded over mobile networks, go to your profile picture, select Settings, then Background & downloads, and turn off Download over Wi-Fi only. By default, videos are downloaded over both Wi-Fi and mobile data.

To set the default quality of your downloads, go to Settings, then Background & downloads, and select Download quality. Keep in mind that higher-quality videos may consume more data, take longer to show in the Downloads section, and take up more space on your device.

To check how much space you have left for downloadable content, go to your profile picture, select Settings, then Background & downloads within the app. If you have less than 5% of storage space remaining, you won't be able to download more videos. Try removing existing downloads or other content stored on your device to free up extra space.

Download YouTube video with the app

To download videos to your device with the app:

1. Sign in to your Premium account within the YouTube App.

2. Go to the Watch page of the video you’d like to download.

3. Below the video, click Download.

Troubleshoot issues downloading videos

Downloaded videos are available for offline playback for up to 29 days. After that, you'll need to reconnect to the internet to check for changes to the video or its availability. If a video is no longer available, it will be removed during the next sync. In select regions, content can be played offline for up to 48 hours. You must have a Premium account to download videos and be signed in to access them. Some features, such as commenting and liking, require a Wi-Fi connection.

Part 2: Free download YouTube video without the app

Given the issues users may encounter when they download videos or play the downloaded videos in the app, it would be better if users can download YouTube videos without the app. With a professional YouTube downloader, you can easily download YouTube videos as local files without the app and keep them forever for offline playback even without subscribing to a Premium membership.

NoteBurner YouTube Video Downloader is a reliable and user-friendly program for downloading ad-free YouTube videos in high-definition quality up to 8K, with original subtitles and audio tracks. Users can also use VPN to download videos from different countries or regions. It doesn't include any additional software, ensuring a smooth experience. The output quality depends on the original video quality, but NoteBurner still ensures the best possible quality for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Tutorial: How to Download YouTube video without the App

To ensure a smooth experience with the following tutorial, we recommend installing the latest version of NoteBurner YouTube Video Downloader on your Windows or Mac computer. You can easily download the software from the official website for both systems.

1 Launch YouTube Video Downloader

Please launch NoteBruner YouTube Video Downloader on your computer and there will be a concise interface.