Do you want to download and install YouTube on Mac but don’t know how? I will show you exactly how. YouTube which is owned by Google is currently the largest video-sharing platform in the world. It boasts over 2.5 billion users monthly with more than 51 million YouTube channels.
Sadly, there is no dedicated YouTube app for macOS. So if you want to download this video app to your device, you will have to either do so through a third-party app or watch it directly from a browser.
Why do you need a Desktop YouTube app for Mac?
It’s unfortunate that YouTube only has apps for mobile devices, smart TVs, and streaming devices but not for PCs and Macs. This makes it a little difficult to access videos on this platform immediately using Mac.
A YouTube app is better because you don’t have to search for the website anytime you want to stream videos. Just launch the app and you are good to go. Also, push notifications pop up faster on the YouTube app, keeping you informed and updated about your favorite channels. Lastly, the application grants you the luxury of saving a video for offline viewing as well as trending videos and recommendations.
It is generally more convenient to use the YouTube application. However, the advantage you have using a website to watch YouTube is that you can stream from a browser like Opera mini that supports Ad-blockers. This will limit the number of ads you are exposed to in a video.
Download and Install YouTube on Mac
You can download and install YouTube on your Mac using different kinds of methods. We are about to explore all the options you have, it’s left for you to use the one that will work best for you.
Download and Install YouTube on Mac from a browser
To carry out this step, download Chrome or Microsoft Edge to your Mac device. Safari is the default browser for Mac devices but it doesn’t work for this process.
When you have finished installing any of the recommended browsers to your device, then follow the instructions below. We will be using Google Chrome for this article but if you opt for Microsoft Edge browser, rest assured they both share a similar interface.
- Launch Google Chrome by clicking on the app on your Mac.
- Type YouTube on the search bar

- When the website opens, click on the install icon in the address bar.

- Click on Install to confirm.

After the installation is complete, Chrome will launch the YouTube app and display the folder where the app is in the Finder. It will appear as an actual app and you may decide to pin it to your dock for easy access.
Download and Install YouTube on Mac using an Android Emulator
Emulators are software or hardware that are installed on a device to mimic a different one. When you download an Android Emulator on your Mac, the device can accept files and downloads originally made for Android.
There are so many emulators in the market but NoxPlayer stands out for its beautiful interface and advanced features like screen recording.
- Download and Install NoxPlayer to your device

- Click on Nox.exe on the desktop after downloading and follow through with the installation process.
- On the search bar, type in YouTube.
- Download the app

If all of these do not work, the only solution would be to settle for streaming YouTube directly from the website. To do this, go to your Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser, search for YouTube and watch any video of your choice.
YouTube has a search bar that you can use to look for videos.
How to uninstall YouTube app on Mac
If the YouTube app you download is malfunctioning or you just don’t need it anymore, then you can uninstall it using this short guide.
- Go to the Cortana icon on the Taskbar and search for YouTube.
- Click on the small down arrow on the right side pane to expand.
- Select Uninstall.
Wrap up
The YouTube app makes it convenient for users to go in and out of the app without continuously opening their browsers. But this luxury is what Mac users do not have. That’s why we’ve recommended that you download the YouTube app from Chrome or Edge browser to your device.
You may as well use emulators to achieve the same purpose. I hope we’ve helped you finally download and install the YouTube app on your Mac.