Recommended method to download YouTube videos to Mac | Save them for free!

The official YouTube app cannot be installed on a Mac, and videos cannot be downloaded directly from the site. However, there is an increasing need for Mac users to enjoy music videos and entertainment videos even when they are away from home or traveling, even when there is no network connection. In such cases, you need to download YouTube videos to your Mac.

In this article, we will explain in detail how to download and save YouTube videos to your Mac using five methods that we have actually verified. If you are a Mac user who wants to download YouTube videos and watch them offline, please read to the end.

Method 1. Save YouTube videos to Mac permanently using video download software (No. 1 recommendation)

First, the most recommended method is to use a professional YouTube video download software "StreamByte for Video" This software isMac and WindowsIt supports both and has a built-in YouTube browser. Therefore, you can access YouTube directly from the software and easily search and download videos. This software also supports common video formats such as MP4, MOV, and MKV,Download YouTube videos and transfer and store them on many devices, including iPhoneYou can also watch videos on YouTube.Download embedded videosIt also supports:

Steps to save YouTube videos to Mac with StreamByte for Video

step 1,After launching "StreamByte for Video" and logging in, click on the main screen.YouTubeSelect

Step 2,Log in to your YouTube account and search for videos. When you find a video you want to download to your Mac,Tap the icon on the top rightI will.

Step 3,You can download YouTube videos to your Mac, output format, video quality, subtitle language, etc.Select your download settingsI will.

Step 4,Once you've finished adjusting the settings, click the blue "Download" button on the bottom right to start downloading the YouTube video to your Mac. You can see the download progress in the "Converting" tab. Once the download is complete, the video will be available in the "Converted" tab.

"StreamByte for VideoWith "YouTube Video Downloader", you can download YouTube videos to your Mac in just a few easy steps. The downloaded videos are saved in a universal format, so you can freely play, transfer, and edit them. This software can also be used to download videos from Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, and other online services, in addition to YouTube.Download videos from streaming services"StreamByte for Video" has a free trial version, so if you're interested, please give it a try.

Method 2. Download YouTube videos to Mac from online sites

If you don't want to install any software, here is an online site that allows you to save YouTube videos to your Mac:VideoSolo Free Video Downloader" is recommended. It is easy to use and you can download the YouTube video you want to save on your Mac just by copying and pasting the URL into the site. This service is completely free and very convenient for users who do not frequently use video downloads.

Steps to download YouTube videos with VideoSolo free video downloader

step 1First, go to the YouTube website on your Mac and copy the URL of the video you want to download.

Step 2Go to "VideoSolo Free Video Downloader", paste the copied URL into the search bar and tap the "Download" button to start analyzing the video.

Step 3After the video analysis is complete, you can adjust the settings like audio track, subtitles, etc. Then click the blue "Download" button next to it to start downloading the video.

however,Download videos from online sitesis convenient, but it has some problems. The download speed of YouTube videos is slow and the image quality is easily degraded. Also, it often fails to analyze the video. If you want stable and high-quality downloads, it is better to use dedicated software.StreamByte for Video" is the best choice.

Method 3. Record and save YouTube videos to Mac with standard recording function

If you cannot download videos directly from the official YouTube website, try using the Mac's standard "QuickTime Player" You can use the recording function of "YouTube Live Video Recorder". This method does not require the installation of external tools, is highly secure, and supports saving YouTube live streaming content.

Steps to record and save YouTube videos with QuickTime Player

step 1Launch "QuickTime Player" and click "New Screen Recording" under "File."

Step 2When the screen recording window appears, press the red "Record button" to start recording.

Step 3Go to the official YouTube website and play the video you want to save on your Mac.

Step 4Click the red button on the screen again to end recording.

There are some limitations to using QuickTime Player to save YouTube videos. First, you cannot convert the format of the recorded video, and the quality of the audio and video is unstable. Also, since the video is recorded while playing, the saving efficiency is poor, and if a problem occurs during the process, you have to start over from the beginning and record again, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, it does not support detailed customization such as image quality settings or subtitle extraction.

To avoid these problems,StreamByte for Video" You can download YouTube videos directly to your Mac, so there is no loss in image quality or audio, and you can save them in your preferred format, such as MP4, MKV, or MOV. It also has the ability to download in up to 8K high quality and extract only the audio in MP3 format.

Method 4. Download YouTube Videos to Mac with Browser Extension

Browser extension "Video Download Helper" supports over 1,000 video sharing services, including YouTube and Niconico Video. It is easy to use and allows you to freely select the video quality and file format. In addition, it also has a comprehensive management function for YouTube videos downloaded to your Mac.

However, please note that due to Google policy, downloading YouTube videos is restricted, so you cannot save YouTube videos with the Chrome version of "Video Download Helper." If you want to use YouTube, please use the Firefox browser.

How to download YouTube videos to Mac with Video Download Helper

step 1,Access the "Video DownloadHelper" add-on in Firefox and click the "Add to Firefox" button. Once added, the "Video DownloadHelper" icon will appear in the top right corner of your browser.

Step 2,Open the page of the YouTube video you want to download to your Mac and play the video. When the "Video Download Helper" icon changes from black to color, click it.

Step 3,Press "..." and click the "Download" button.

Step 4,Set the save destination and click the "Save" button to start downloading the YouTube video.

"Video Download Helper" has some problems. Because it is a browser extension, there is a risk that it will suddenly become unusable due to updates, and safety and stability of operation are not guaranteed. Another drawback is that it does not have the function to download multiple videos at once.

If you want to avoid these problems,StreamByte for Video" is recommended. It has a stable operating environment and supports bulk downloading of your favorite YouTube videos. It has many functions such as high-quality saving and download settings, and security is also ensured.

Method 5. Save YouTube videos to Mac with VLC media player

"VLC media player" is known as a multi-functional media player, but it also has a video storage function. Its biggest feature is that it is completely free to use and is compatible with various platforms such as Mac, Windows, and Android. Another attractive feature is that it is simple and easy to understand, from downloading to installing and playing videos.

How to save YouTube videos to Mac using VLC media player

step 1,Go to YouTube and copy the URL of the video you want to download to your Mac.

Step 2,Launch "VLC media player" and select "File" -> "Open Network". In the "Open Source" window, paste the video URL into the address bar and click "Open".

Step 3,Right-click on the video and select "Media Info." Copy the URL under "Location" and paste it into your address bar. Press "Back" to begin playback in your browser.

Step 4,Right-click on the video you want to play and select "Save As" to start downloading videos from YouTube to Mac.

"VLC media player" cannot download YouTube videos directly, and requires complicated procedures to save them on Mac. In addition, it does not have the function to adjust the image quality, audio track, etc. in the format of your choice. For beginners who want to download with simple operations or those who want to customize it to suit their viewing style, "StreamByte for Video" is recommended.

Frequently asked questions about downloading YouTube videos to Mac

Is it illegal to download YouTube content to my Mac?

No, it is not illegal. It is generally considered to be okay to download YouTube videos to your Mac for personal viewing. However, it is important to note that uploading downloaded videos to social media, sharing them with others, or making commercial profits from them may be considered copyright infringement.

Is it illegal to record and save YouTube videos?

No, it is not illegal in principle. Recording YouTube content may violate the terms of use, but as long as it is for private viewing purposes, it is not illegal. However, please note that if you re-upload the downloaded videos or use them commercially, it is considered copyright infringement and you may be held legally liable.

Can I save YouTube videos on my Mac?

The official YouTube app cannot be installed on Mac, and videos cannot be downloaded directly from the official website. However, you can save your favorite YouTube videos to Mac using the methods introduced in this article, including professional video downloaders, standard recording functions, and online download sites.

summary

This article explains in an easy-to-understand manner the recommended method and steps to download and save YouTube videos to your Mac. There are convenient tools such as online sites, standard recording functions, browser extensions, and media players, but they have limitations such as poor image quality and unstable downloads.

To get around these restrictions, we use a specialized video downloader called "StreamByte for Video" StreamByte for Video" is a free trial version that allows you to download YouTube content to your Mac in high quality and at high speed, and save it in a universal format such as MP4, allowing you to play, edit, and transfer it freely. It also has a batch download function, allowing you to save videos efficiently. There is also a free trial version of "StreamByte for Video", so please give it a try.