The simplest way to download a YouTube video to your phone
YouTube's official app does not let you download videos to keep permanently, but you can save videos to watch offline within the YouTube app itself. If you want to download the actual video file to your phone's storage — so you can watch it in any app, share it, or keep it after deleting the YouTube app — you will need to use a separate tool.
The most straightforward method is to use a free online converter website. You copy the YouTube video link, paste it into the converter, choose your format and quality, and download the file. This takes about two minutes and works on both Android and iPhone, though the steps differ slightly between the two.
Before you download, understand that YouTube's terms of service do not permit downloading videos unless the creator has made that option available. Many creators do allow downloads, and you can see a download button below the video if they have enabled it. If no download button appears, the creator has not permitted it.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube's official app lets you save videos offline, but only to watch within the app — the video file itself stays on YouTube's servers.
- To download the actual video file to your phone, you need a third-party converter website like y2mate, yt-dlp, or similar tools.
- On Android, you paste the YouTube link into the converter, select your format, and the file downloads to your phone's Downloads folder.
- On iPhone, the process is similar but the downloaded file may open in a different app, and you may need to move it to your Files app or camera roll manually.
- Check whether the creator has allowed downloads — if a download button appears below the video on YouTube, you have permission.
How to download on Android using a converter website
Open your web browser on your Android phone and go to a video converter site. Common options include y2mate.com, savefrom.net, or keepvid.com. These sites work similarly — the steps below use y2mate as an example, but the process is nearly identical on the others.
Open YouTube in another tab or window and find the video you want to download. Tap the share button (the arrow pointing right, usually below the video title). Select "Copy link." Go back to the converter website and paste the link into the text box at the top of the page. Tap the download or convert button — the site will process the video for a few seconds.
You will see options for format and quality. For most phones, select MP4 format and choose 720p or 1080p quality — higher quality uses more storage space. Tap the download button next to your chosen format. Your phone will ask where to save the file; select Downloads or your default storage location. The download will begin and may take several minutes depending on video length and your internet speed.
Once the download finishes, open your Files app (or file manager) and navigate to Downloads. You will see the video file there with a name like "video_title.mp4". You can now open it in any video player app, move it to a folder, or share it with others.
How to download on iPhone using a converter website
The process on iPhone is similar but requires an extra step because iPhone does not automatically save files to a standard Downloads folder the way Android does. Open Safari and go to a converter website like y2mate.com. Copy the YouTube video link the same way: open YouTube, tap share, and select "Copy link."
Paste the link into the converter website's text box and tap download or convert. Select MP4 format and 720p or 1080p quality, then tap the download button. Safari will ask what you want to do with the file — tap "Save to Files" and choose where to save it (usually iCloud Drive or On My iPhone).
The file will now appear in your Files app. You can open it directly from Files to watch it, or move it to your camera roll by opening the file, tapping the share button, and selecting "Save Video." This makes the video appear in your Photos app like a regular video you recorded yourself.
Using YouTube's built-in offline feature instead
If you only need to watch a video offline occasionally and do not need to keep it permanently, YouTube Premium subscribers can download videos directly within the YouTube app. Open the YouTube app, find the video, tap the three dots menu, and select "Download." The video will download and appear in your library under "Downloads."
The limitation is that these downloads expire after 30 days, and you can only watch them in the YouTube app. If you cancel your YouTube Premium subscription, the downloads disappear. This method is simpler and does not require a third-party website, but it only works if you pay for YouTube Premium.
For free users, the converter website method is your only option if you want a permanent file. The trade-off is that it takes an extra step and requires visiting a third-party site.
What to do if the download fails or takes too long
If the converter website times out or shows an error, try a different converter site — y2mate, savefrom.net, and keepvid.com all do the same job, and if one is slow or down, another usually works. Close your browser and try again, or wait a few minutes and retry.
If the download is taking longer than 10 minutes, check your internet connection. Switch to WiFi if you are on mobile data, or restart your router. Very long videos (over an hour) or high quality (1080p) will naturally take longer — a 30-minute video at 720p typically takes 2 to 5 minutes.
If the downloaded file will not play, you may have selected the wrong format or the download was incomplete. Delete the file and try downloading again, this time selecting a different quality level. If it still will not play, try a different converter website.
Understanding file formats and quality settings
When you download, the converter will offer format choices — usually MP4, WebM, or MKV. MP4 is the safest choice because it plays on almost every phone and computer. WebM is smaller but plays on fewer devices. MKV is rarely needed for phone downloads.
Quality options range from 360p (smallest file, lowest quality) to 1080p or higher (largest file, best quality). For a phone screen, 720p is usually the sweet spot — it looks good and does not use excessive storage. If you are downloading many videos, use 480p to save space. If you plan to watch on a larger screen later, use 1080p.
Audio-only downloads are also available on most converters if you only want the sound (useful for music videos). Select "MP3" or "M4A" format instead of video format, and the download will be much faster and smaller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
YouTube's terms of service prohibit downloading videos unless the creator has made that option available. Many creators do allow downloads, and you can see a download button if they have enabled it. Downloading without permission violates YouTube's terms, though enforcement is rare for personal use. Check for a download button first.
Will the downloaded video have ads in it?
No. When you download the video file itself, you get only the video content — ads are removed. This is one reason YouTube Premium's download feature is different from third-party downloads: YouTube Premium downloads still show ads to non-paying users in some cases, while third-party downloads do not.
Can I download videos from private or age-restricted channels?
No. Converter websites can only download videos that are publicly visible. If you cannot watch the video without logging in, or if YouTube restricts it to adults only, the converter will not be able to access it. You will see an error message instead of a download option.
How much storage space does a downloaded video use?
A one-hour video at 720p quality uses roughly 500 MB to 1 GB of storage. At 480p, expect 300 to 600 MB. At 1080p, expect 1 to 2 GB. Check your phone's available storage before downloading long videos — go to Settings and look for Storage or About Phone to see how much space you have left.
What happens if I delete the converter app or website later?
The downloaded video file stays on your phone. It is not connected to the converter website or app — it is a permanent file in your storage. You can delete the converter app or never visit the website again, and the video will still be there to watch.