How to Download YouTube Videos on a Mac in 2021
YouTube is one of the most popular and diverse platforms for watching and sharing videos online. Whether you want to watch music videos, tutorials, documentaries, comedy sketches, or anything else, you can find it on YouTube. But what if you want to watch YouTube videos offline on your Mac? Maybe you have a slow or unreliable internet connection, or you want to save some videos for later viewing. Or maybe you just want to have a backup of your favorite videos in case they get deleted or blocked.
In this article, we will show you three easy ways to download YouTube videos on your Mac in 2021. We will also discuss the legal and ethical issues involved in downloading YouTube videos, and the pros and cons of each method. By the end of this article, you will be able to choose the best method for your needs and enjoy watching YouTube videos offline on your Mac.
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Introduction
Why download YouTube videos on a Mac?
There are many reasons why you might want to download YouTube videos on your Mac. Here are some of them:
You can watch YouTube videos offline without an internet connection. This is useful if you are traveling, commuting, or in a place with poor or expensive internet access.
You can save bandwidth and data usage by downloading YouTube videos once and watching them multiple times. This is especially helpful if you have a limited or metered internet plan.
You can avoid annoying ads and interruptions by downloading YouTube videos. This way, you can enjoy watching your videos without any distractions or delays.
You can create your own video library by downloading YouTube videos. You can organize your videos by categories, genres, topics, or any other way you like. You can also edit, trim, convert, or merge your downloaded videos using various tools.
You can backup your favorite YouTube videos by downloading them. You never know when a video might get deleted, blocked, or removed from YouTube for various reasons. By downloading them, you can ensure that you always have access to them.
What are the legal and ethical issues?
Before you start downloading YouTube videos on your Mac, you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues involved. According to YouTube's Terms of Service, you are not allowed to download any content from YouTube unless you see a \"download\" or similar link displayed by YouTube on the service for that content. This means that downloading YouTube videos without permission is against the rules and could result in legal action or account termination.
However, there are some exceptions and loopholes that allow you to download YouTube videos for personal use only. For example, if you have a valid reason to download a video for fair use purposes, such as education, research, criticism, or commentary, you might be able to do so legally. Also, if you use a third-party tool or service that does not violate YouTube's Terms of Service or infringe on the rights of the content owners, you might be able to do so ethically.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether downloading YouTube videos on your Mac is worth the risk or not. You should always respect the rights and wishes of the content creators and follow the law and the rules of the platform. You should also avoid downloading any copyrighted or illegal content that could harm yourself or others.
<h2 Method 1: Using YouTube Premium
One of the easiest and safest ways to download YouTube videos on your Mac is to use YouTube Premium. YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service that offers many benefits, such as ad-free and offline viewing, background play, and access to YouTube Music and YouTube Originals.
How to sign up for YouTube Premium
To sign up for YouTube Premium, you need to have a Google account and a valid payment method. You can follow these steps to sign up for YouTube Premium on your Mac:
Go to and click on \"Try it free\".
Choose a plan that suits your needs and budget. You can choose between an individual plan, a family plan, or a student plan.
Enter your payment details and confirm your purchase. You will get a free trial period of one month before you are charged.
Enjoy YouTube Premium features on your Mac and other devices.
How to download videos with YouTube Premium
To download videos with YouTube Premium, you need to use the YouTube app on your Mac. You can follow these steps to download videos with YouTube Premium on your Mac:
Download and install the YouTube app from the App Store on your Mac.
Open the YouTube app and sign in with your Google account.
Find the video you want to download and click on it.
Click on the \"Download\" button below the video player. You can choose the video quality and the download location.
Wait for the video to finish downloading. You can check the progress in the \"Library\" tab under \"Downloads\".
Watch the video offline on your Mac or transfer it to another device.
Pros and cons of YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium has some pros and cons that you should consider before using it. Here are some of them:
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ProsCons
- It is legal and ethical to use YouTube Premium to download videos.- It is expensive compared to other methods. It costs $11.99 per month for an individual plan, $17.99 per month for a family plan, or $6.99 per month for a student plan.
- It offers high-quality and fast downloads of any video on YouTube.- It requires an internet connection to download videos. You cannot download videos from other websites or sources.
- It supports background play, ad-free viewing, and access to exclusive content.- It only works with the YouTube app on your Mac. You cannot use it with other browsers or apps.
Method 2: Using VLC Media Player
Another way to download YouTube videos on your Mac is to use VLC Media Player. VLC Media Player is a free and open-source media player that can play almost any video or audio format. It also has some hidden features, such as downloading videos from online sources.
How to install VLC Media Player on your Mac
To install VLC Media Player on your Mac, you need to download it from its official website. You can follow these steps to install VLC Media Player on your Mac:
Go to and click on \"Download VLC\".
Wait for the file to finish downloading. It should be named \"vlc-3.x.x.dmg\", where x.x is the version number.
Open the file and drag the VLC icon to the Applications folder.
Eject the disk image and delete the file.
Open VLC Media Player from the Applications folder or the Launchpad.
How to download videos with VLC Media Player
To download videos with VLC Media Player, you need to have the URL of the video you want to download. You can follow these steps to download videos with VLC Media Player on your Mac:
Open a browser and go to . Find the video you want to download and copy its URL from the address bar.
Open VLC Media Player and go to File > Open Network.
Paste the URL of the URL of the video in the URL field and click on \"Open\".
Wait for the video to start playing in VLC Media Player. Go to Window > Media Information.
Copy the URL from the Location field at the bottom of the window.
Open a browser and paste the URL in the address bar. The video should start playing in the browser.
Right-click on the video and choose \"Save Video As\". Choose a name and a location for the video file and click on \"Save\".
Wait for the video to finish downloading. You can watch it offline on your Mac or transfer it to another device.
Pros and cons of VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player has some pros and cons that you should consider before using it. Here are some of them:
ProsCons
- It is free and open-source to use VLC Media Player to download videos.- It is complicated and time-consuming to use VLC Media Player to download videos. You have to copy and paste multiple URLs and switch between different windows.
- It offers decent quality and speed of downloads of most videos on YouTube.- It does not support downloading videos with DRM protection or subtitles. You might encounter errors or glitches with some videos.
- It can play almost any video or audio format on your Mac or other devices.- It does not have any advanced features or options for downloading videos. You cannot choose the video quality, format, or resolution.
Method 3: Using 4K Video Downloader
A third way to download YouTube videos on your Mac is to use 4K Video Downloader. 4K Video Downloader is a software that allows you to download videos, playlists, channels, and subtitles from YouTube and other websites in high quality.
How to install 4K Video Downloader on your Mac
To install 4K Video Downloader on your Mac, you need to download it from its official website. You can follow these steps to install 4K Video Downloader on your Mac:
Go to and click on \"Get 4K Video Downloader\".
Wait for the file to finish downloading. It should be named \"4kvideodownloader_x.x.x.dmg\", where x.x.x is the version number.
Open the file and drag the 4K Video Downloader icon to the Applications folder.
Eject the disk image and delete the file.
Open 4K Video Downloader from the Applications folder or the Launchpad.
How to download videos with 4K Video Downloader
To download videos with 4K Video Downloader, you need to have the URL of the video you want to download. You can follow these steps to download videos with 4K Video Downloader on your Mac:
Open a browser and go to . Find the video you want to download and copy its URL from the address bar.
Open 4K Video Downloader and click on \"Paste Link\". The software will analyze the video and show you some options.
Choose the video quality, format, resolution, and location for the video file. You can also choose to download subtitles, annotations, or thumbnails if available.
Click on \"Download\". You can check the progress in the main window or in the menu bar icon.
Watch the video offline on your Mac or transfer it to another device.
Pros and cons of 4K Video Downloader
4K Video Downloader has some pros and cons that you should consider before using it. Here are some of them:
ProsCons
- It is easy and fast to use 4K Video Downloader to download videos. You only need to copy and paste one URL and choose some options.- It is not free to use 4K Video Downloader to download videos. The free version has some limitations, such as downloading up to 30 videos per day, up to 10 videos per playlist, and up to 5 videos per channel. To remove these limitations, you need to buy a license for $15.
- It offers high-quality and flexible downloads of any video on YouTube and other websites. You can choose the video quality, format, resolution, and subtitles according to your preferences.- It does not support downloading videos with DRM protection or live streams. You might encounter errors or glitches with some videos.
- It has some advanced features and options for downloading videos. You can download playlists, channels, 3D videos, 360 videos, and VR videos. You can also set up a smart mode to apply your settings to all downloads.- It requires a lot of storage space and processing power to download videos. You might experience some slowdowns or crashes on your Mac or other devices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, downloading YouTube videos on your Mac in 2021 is possible and easy with the right tools and methods. You can choose between YouTube Premium, VLC Media Player, and 4K Video Downloader depending on your needs and preferences. Each method has its own pros and cons that you should weigh before using it. You should also be aware of the legal and ethical issues involved in downloading YouTube videos and respect the rights and wishes of the content creators and the platform.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to download YouTube videos on your Mac in 2021. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. Happy downloading!
FAQs
Q: How can I download YouTube videos on my Mac for free?
A: One of the free methods to download YouTube videos on your Mac is to use VLC Media Player. However, this method is complicated and time-consuming. Another free method is to use the free version of 4K Video Downloader, but this method has some limitations. The best free method is to use YouTube Premium during the free trial period of one month, but this method requires a payment method and a subscription.
Q: How can I download YouTube videos on my Mac without software?
A: One of the ways to download YouTube videos on your Mac without software is to use online video downloader websites or extensions. However, these methods are not recommended as they might be unsafe, unreliable, or low-quality. They might also violate YouTube's Terms of Service or infringe on the rights of the content owners.
Q: How can I download YouTube videos on my Mac with subtitles?
A: One of the ways to download YouTube videos on your Mac with subtitles is to use 4K Video Downloader. This software allows you to choose the subtitles language and format for the video file. You can also download subtitles separately as an SRT file.
Q: How can I download YouTube videos on my Mac in high quality?
A: One of the ways to download YouTube videos on your Mac in high quality is to use 4K Video Downloader. This software allows you to choose the video quality, format, and resolution for the video file. You can also download 4K, 8K, 3D, 360, and VR videos with this software.
Q: How can I download YouTube playlists or channels on my Mac?
A: One of the ways to download YouTube playlists or channels on your Mac is to use 4K Video Downloader. This software allows you to paste the URL of a playlist or a channel and download all the videos in it. You can also set up a smart mode to apply your settings to all downloads. 44f88ac181
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