Saving a YouTube video on your iPhone can be quite a challenge. Many people want to be able to watch their favorite videos offline, without relying on an internet connection. Unfortunately, YouTube does not provide an official download option for its videos. However, there are several methods that allow you to save YouTube videos on your iPhone. In this blog post, we will explore these methods in detail and provide step-by-step instructions to help you save YouTube videos on your iPhone effortlessly.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Saving YouTube Videos on iPhone
YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for watching and sharing videos. However, due to copyright and legal restrictions, YouTube does not offer a built-in option to download videos directly to your iPhone. This limitation can be frustrating, especially when you want to watch videos offline or share them with others who may not have internet access.
Despite the challenge, there are several workarounds and methods available to save YouTube videos on your iPhone. These methods involve using third-party apps, websites, or utilizing certain iPhone features to download and save videos from YouTube. Let’s explore these methods in detail below.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before diving into the methods of saving YouTube videos on iPhone, there are a few things you should prepare to ensure a smooth and successful process:
1. Make sure you have a stable internet connection: While the eventual goal is to watch videos offline, a stable internet connection is required during the download process.
2. Download a third-party app: Since YouTube does not provide an official download option, you will need to rely on third-party apps to save videos on your iPhone. There are several apps available in the App Store that offer this functionality.
3. Have enough storage space: Videos can take up a significant amount of space on your iPhone, so make sure you have enough storage available to accommodate the downloaded videos.
Now that you’re prepared, let’s explore the different methods to save YouTube videos on your iPhone:
Method 1: How to Save YouTube Videos on iPhone via Third-Party Apps
Using a third-party app is one of the most common methods to save YouTube videos on iPhones. These apps typically allow you to download videos directly from YouTube and save them to your iPhone’s camera roll. Follow the steps below to save YouTube videos on your iPhone via a third-party app:
1. Download and install a trusted third-party app from the App Store that allows video downloads from YouTube.
2. Launch the app and search for the YouTube video you want to download.
3. Once you’ve found the video, tap on the download icon or the option that says "Save" or "Download."
4. Choose the desired video quality or resolution for your download. Higher quality videos may take up more space on your iPhone.
5. The app will start downloading the video. You can monitor the progress in the app’s download manager.
6. Once the download is complete, the video will be saved to your iPhone’s camera roll or the designated downloads folder within the app.
Pros:
1. Allows direct download of YouTube videos on the iPhone.
2. Wide variety of third-party apps available with different features.
3. Downloaded videos can be easily accessed in the camera roll and shared with other apps or devices.
Cons:
1. Some third-party apps may have limitations on video quality and downloading speed.
2. Ads may be displayed within the app or during the download process.
3. App availability and functionality may vary depending on the App Store policies and updates.
Method 2: How to Save YouTube Videos on iPhone via Websites
In addition to third-party apps, there are also websites that offer YouTube video downloading services. These websites allow you to enter the YouTube video URL and generate a download link. Here’s how you can save YouTube videos on your iPhone via websites:
1. Open Safari or any other web browser on your iPhone.
2. Go to a website that offers YouTube video downloading services, such as y2mate.com or savefrom.net.
3. Open the YouTube app and find the video you want to download. Tap on the Share button and select the "Copy Link" option.
4. Return to the web browser and paste the copied YouTube video link into the provided URL field on the website.
5. Select the desired video quality or resolution for your download.
6. Tap on the download button or the option that says "Start Download."
7. The website will generate a download link. Tap on the link to download the video.
8. The video will be saved to your iPhone’s camera roll or the designated downloads folder within the browser.
Pros:
1. No need to install additional apps on your iPhone.
2. Accessibility from any browser on your iPhone.
3. Quick and easy-to-use method for downloading YouTube videos.
Cons:
1. Limited features compared to dedicated third-party apps.
2. Websites may have intrusive ads or require frequent captchas.
3. Reliance on website availability and stability.
Method 3: How to Save YouTube Videos on iPhone via Screen Recording
If you’re unable to find suitable third-party apps or websites, another method to save YouTube videos on your iPhone is by utilizing the built-in screen recording feature. This method involves recording the video while playing it on the YouTube app and saving the recording as a video file. Follow the steps below to save YouTube videos on your iPhone via screen recording:
1. Open the Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top right corner (iPhone X or newer) or swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 or older).
2. Locate and tap on the screen recording button, which looks like a circle within a circle.
3. A countdown of 3 seconds will appear, followed by a red recording indicator at the top of the screen.
4. Open the YouTube app and find the video you want to save.
5. Start playing the video and wait for it to play in its entirety or until you’ve reached the desired portion to be saved.
6. Once the video has finished playing, open the Control Center again and tap on the screen recording button to stop the recording.
7. The recording will be saved to your iPhone’s camera roll as a video file.
Pros:
1. No need for third-party apps or websites.
2. Ability to record any video playing on your iPhone, including YouTube videos.
3. No quality limitations or restrictions on available videos.
Cons:
1. Requires playing the video in real-time, which may take longer than the actual video duration.
2. Screen recordings may not have the same video quality as the original source.
3. Screen recording can consume a significant amount of battery and storage space.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Allows direct download of YouTube videos on the iPhone | Some third-party apps may have limitations on video quality and downloading speed |
| Wide variety of third-party apps available with different features | Ads may be displayed within the app or during the download process |
| Downloaded videos can be easily accessed in the camera roll and shared with other apps or devices | App availability and functionality may vary depending on the App Store policies and updates |
Method 4: How to Save YouTube Videos on iPhone via YouTube Premium Offline Playback
An alternative method to save YouTube videos on your iPhone is by utilizing YouTube Premium’s offline playback feature. YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service that offers various benefits, including ad-free viewing, background playback, and offline downloading. Follow the steps below to save YouTube videos on your iPhone via YouTube Premium:
1. Subscribe to YouTube Premium by visiting the YouTube website or through the YouTube app.
2. Open the YouTube app and find the video you want to save.
3. Tap on the download button or the option that says "Save" or "Download" (the availability of this button depends on the video’s eligibility for offline playback).
4. Choose the desired video quality or resolution for your download.
5. The video will start downloading and will be saved within the YouTube app itself.
6. To access the downloaded videos, go to the Library or Downloads section within the YouTube app.
Pros:
1. Official YouTube feature for offline video viewing and downloading.
2. High-quality videos without ads or interruptions.
3. Integration with the YouTube app for easy access and organization of downloaded videos.
Cons:
1. Requires a subscription to YouTube Premium.
2. Downloaded videos are only accessible within the YouTube app.
3. Limited availability in certain regions or countries.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Official YouTube feature for offline video viewing and downloading | Requires a subscription to YouTube Premium |
| High-quality videos without ads or interruptions | Access to downloaded videos only within the YouTube app |
| Integration with the YouTube app for easy access and organization of downloaded videos | Limited availability in certain regions or countries |
Why Can’t I Save YouTube Videos on iPhone?
Saving YouTube videos on iPhone can be challenging due to several reasons. Here are some common reasons and their possible fixes:
1. Copyright restrictions: YouTube videos are protected by copyright laws, and downloading them without proper authorization may infringe upon these rights. To respect copyright holders, YouTube does not provide an official download option.
Fix: Use legal alternatives such as YouTube Premium, which offers offline playback and downloading features.
2. Terms of Service violation: Downloading YouTube videos may violate YouTube’s terms of service. YouTube reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that engage in unauthorized downloading.
Fix: Familiarize yourself with YouTube’s terms of service and seek legal alternatives for downloading videos.
3. Technical limitations: iPhone’s iOS and YouTube’s platform may have technical limitations that prevent direct video downloads. Apple’s strict app policies and YouTube’s content protection measures make it difficult to provide a built-in download option.
Fix: Explore the methods mentioned earlier in this blog post to save YouTube videos on your iPhone using third-party apps, websites, or screen recording.
Additional Tips
Here are three additional tips to enhance your experience of saving YouTube videos on iPhone:
1. Use a reliable internet connection: To ensure smooth and uninterrupted video downloading, connect to a stable Wi-Fi network or use a high-speed cellular data connection.
2. Consider video compression: If storage space on your iPhone is limited, consider compressing the downloaded videos using video compression apps to reduce file size without significant loss in quality.
3. Keep your apps updated: If you’re using third-party apps to save YouTube videos, always keep the apps updated to ensure compatibility with the latest iOS versions and YouTube platform changes.
5 FAQs about Saving YouTube Videos on iPhone
Q1: Is it legal to download YouTube videos on iPhone?
A: Downloading YouTube videos without proper authorization may infringe upon copyright laws and YouTube’s terms of service. While some videos may be available for offline viewing through official channels like YouTube Premium, unauthorized downloading is generally not legal.
Q2: Can I save YouTube videos using free online converters?
A: Free online video converters can be used to download YouTube videos, but they have limitations and may not always provide reliable results. Additionally, relying on third-party websites for video downloads may expose your device to security risks and intrusive ads.
Q3: Why should I consider YouTube Premium for saving videos?
A: YouTube Premium offers an official, legal, and hassle-free way to save YouTube videos for offline viewing. It provides additional features like ad-free streaming, background playback, and exclusive content.
Q4: Can I transfer saved YouTube videos to other devices?
A: The ability to transfer saved YouTube videos to other devices depends on the method you used to save the videos. YouTube Premium allows you to download videos within the app and transfer them to other devices with the same account. Third-party apps may have their own file management features that facilitate easy sharing between devices.
Q5: How can I delete saved YouTube videos from my iPhone?
A: Deleting saved YouTube videos from your iPhone is simple. If you used a third-party app, you can typically delete the videos from the app’s file management section. For videos saved within the YouTube app or camera roll, use the built-in deletion options in those respective apps.
In Conclusion
Saving YouTube videos on your iPhone may present some challenges, but there are various methods available to achieve this. Whether through third-party apps, websites, screen recording, or YouTube Premium, you can enjoy the convenience of offline video viewing. Remember to respect copyright laws, follow YouTube’s terms of service, and use legal alternatives whenever possible. With the methods and tips mentioned in this blog post, you can easily save your favorite YouTube videos on your iPhone for offline enjoyment.