There are various reasons why you may want to download YouTube videos on Mac. Say you’re trying to watch a video on YouTube, but the ads are so obnoxious that you can’t focus on the content. And if you’re like me, you probably get frustrated when you have to wait for the ad to finish before the video starts playing.
It’s even worse when you have to sit through two or three ads in a row. Sometimes you may even consider watching the video offline or adding it to a video compilation.
The most common challenge people face when trying to download YouTube videos on Mac is figuring out how to do it. Finding the right website or software to use can be tricky, considering the plethora of options. Another challenge can be converting the video to a different format or saving it.
That’s why we will discuss the best ways to download YouTube videos on Mac.
How to Download YouTube Videos on Mac
If you want to download YouTube videos without any ads, watermarks, or restrictions, then you can subscribe to YouTube Premium. This will give you an ad-free experience and allow you to download videos for offline viewing.
YouTube Premium costs $11.99 monthly, but a free trial is available. To subscribe to YouTube Premium, go to YouTube.com and click “Premium” at the top of the page.
With a subscription, you can watch movies and series that are otherwise unavailable. However, the video will not be available on your Mac for offline download! YouTube Premium is a great service for those who want offline access to their videos. Subscribers can download any video or music onto mobile devices, but they only have 30 days before it expires!
Thankfully, there are other ways to download YouTube videos on Mac without paying $143.88 a year for the privilege.
1. Use VLC Media Player
The VLC media player is a great way to download YouTube videos on Mac for free. VLC is an open-source and free cross-platform media player and streaming media. It also lets you download a video from YouTube on your Mac. Here’s a step-by-step process.
- Download and install the program to begin using the VLC media player on your Mac. Now, open the program.
- To download a YouTube video, copy the link to the desired video.
- In VLC, go to “File“> “Open Network“. The “Open Source” window will open. Paste the video URL you copied and hit “OK”.
- Right-click it to gather information about the video and select “Media Information”.
- Paste the URL from the “Location” bar into your address bar and press “return” to start playing in your browser.
- To download videos from YouTube to your Mac, right-click the video and choose “Save Video as..“
2. Use YTD Video Downloader
YTD Video Downloader is a popular software that allows you to download videos from YouTube and other video streaming sites. The great thing about this software is that it’s available for both Windows and Mac. YTD Video Downloader is very easy to use, and it is probably the best way to download YouTube videos on Mac.
- Simply enter the URL of the video you want to download and click the “Download” button.
- The software will then start downloading the video.
- Once the download is complete, you can choose to watch the video or convert it to a different format.
3. Use iTubeDownloader
The iTubeDownloader is a cheap and easy-to-use option. Just provide your name and email address at signup, then download as many videos from YouTube using this special software (no installation necessary).
Students can get 35% off with the free trial with iTubeDownloader, but if you need a longer period or more features than what’s offered in this small package, there’s an activation code that costs $8.99.
4. Capture YouTube Videos with Screen Recording Features
You can either record and save it or download it without any problems. However, if there are copyright issues, then this may not work for your needs because of how sensitive media files like these tend to be.
To make a screen recording on your Mac, you need the built-in feature or Quicktime player.
- For QuickTime Player, go to “File” at the top right corner of the interface and click “New Screen Recording.”
- When screen recording using the built-in feature, use the shortcut command + shift+ 5.
With this tool, you can either record the entire screen or a single window. You also have the option of adding audio from your Mac’s microphone. The video quality won’t be great, but it’s fair.
Is it ok to Download YouTube Videos?
There are many gray areas when it comes to downloading copyrighted material. However, YouTube has stated that downloading videos is against their terms of service.
“You shall not download any Content unless you see a ‘download’ or similar link displayed by YouTube on the service for that content. You shall not copy, reproduce, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, or otherwise exploit any Content for any other purposes without the prior written consent of YouTube or the respective licensors of the content.“
This means that if you want to download videos from YouTube, you need to get the permission of the copyright holder. In most cases, this will be the person who uploaded the video to YouTube.
However, there are some circumstances where downloading a YouTube video is legal. For example, if you’re downloading a video for educational purposes, it’s likely that you won’t be breaking any laws.
It’s also worth noting that many videos on YouTube are available for free download. This includes videos that are Creative Commons licensed and videos that are in the public domain.
If you’re not sure whether or not a video is available for free download, you can contact the copyright holder directly to ask for permission.
The Ethics of Downloading YouTube Videos
There are some ethical considerations to keep in mind when downloading YouTube videos.
For example, if you’re downloading a video that’s been uploaded by someone else, you should make sure to give them credit. This is especially important if you’re planning on monetizing the video somehow.
You should also be aware of the potential privacy implications of downloading YouTube videos. If you’re downloading a video containing sensitive information, you should ensure that you have the person’s permission before sharing it with anyone else.
Finally, keep in mind that downloading YouTube videos take up bandwidth and can use a lot of data if you’re not careful. If you’re on a limited data plan, you may consider downloading videos only when connected to Wi-Fi.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is the best YouTube downloader for Mac?
There are a few different options available, but the best YouTube downloader for Mac is probably iTubeDownloader. This software is designed to download videos from YouTube and other video-sharing websites.
Which are the different formats to download YouTube videos in?
The different formats include MP4, AVI, MPEG, WMV, MOV, and FLV. The most common format among users is MP4.
Can I download a YouTube video without the person’s permission?
No, you can’t download a YouTube video without the person’s permission. Doing so would violate YouTube’s terms of service.
What are the consequences of downloading a YouTube video without the person’s permission?
The consequences of downloading a YouTube video without the person’s permission can vary depending on the situation. In most cases, you’ll simply be breaking YouTube’s terms of service. However, in some cases, you may also be violating copyright law.
Can I download a YouTube video if it’s Creative Commons licensed?
Yes, you can download a YouTube video if it’s Creative Commons licensed. This type of license allows for the free use and distribution of the video.
Conclusion
You can download YouTube videos on Mac with this detailed guide. Some of these options make downloading easy for everyone – try them out today. If you find it helpful, don’t hesitate to share the knowledge!
