What you can legally download from YouTube
YouTube's terms of service prohibit downloading videos without permission, even without a paid subscription. The only videos you can legally download are ones where the creator has explicitly allowed it — you'll see a download button built into the player if that's the case. Some creators use Creative Commons licenses or give direct permission, and those are safe to download.
If you want to save videos for offline viewing through YouTube itself, you need a YouTube Premium subscription, which costs about $14 per month. Premium members can download videos directly in the YouTube app on phones and tablets, and those downloads expire after 30 days.
Before you look for workarounds, understand what you're risking: third-party download tools often violate YouTube's terms, can expose your device to malware, may steal your login credentials, and could result in your account being suspended or banned. The trade-off between convenience and account safety matters here.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium is the only method YouTube officially supports for downloading videos, and it costs about $14 per month with a free trial period available.
- Third-party download sites and software violate YouTube's terms of service and put your account and device at real risk of malware or credential theft.
- Some creators allow downloads directly through the YouTube player — check for a download button if the video matters enough to keep offline.
- YouTube Premium downloads expire after 30 days, so they're meant for temporary offline access, not permanent storage.
- If you need to keep videos long-term, contact the creator directly and ask for permission or a copy of the original file.
Why third-party download tools are risky
Websites and software that claim to download YouTube videos without permission operate in a legal gray area and create real security problems. Many of these tools make money by embedding ads, selling your data, or injecting malware into your downloads. Even the ones that seem legitimate often ask for your YouTube login credentials, which gives them access to your account, subscriptions, and personal information.
Your YouTube account is connected to your Google account, which may also control your Gmail, Google Drive, and Android phone. If a third-party tool compromises that login, someone else can access all of those services. YouTube's security team actively works to block these tools, which means they stop working frequently — you download something that turns out to be corrupted or incomplete, or your account gets flagged for suspicious activity.
The risk isn't theoretical. Malware bundled with video downloaders has infected thousands of devices. Even if a tool seems to work the first time, there's no may provide about what happens to your device or data after that.
Using YouTube Premium as the official option
YouTube Premium includes offline download as one of several features. You can download videos in the YouTube app on Android or iOS, and they stay on your device for 30 days. After 30 days, the video expires and you need to download it again if you want to keep watching. This design is intentional — YouTube wants to protect creators' content from being permanently copied and shared.
YouTube Premium also removes ads, lets you play videos with the screen off, and includes access to YouTube Music Premium. The subscription costs about $14 per month, though YouTube occasionally offers discounts or free trial periods. If you're a student, YouTube Premium for Students costs less and includes YouTube Music.
To download a video on Premium, open the YouTube app, find the video, tap the download icon below the player, and choose your quality. The video downloads to your phone or tablet and you can watch it without an internet connection. When the 30 days are up, you'll see a message that the download has expired.
Asking creators for permission or files
If a video is important enough that you want to keep it permanently, the most direct approach is to ask the creator. Many creators are willing to share their original video file or give you permission to download it, especially if you explain why you need it. You can reach out through the channel's contact information, a community post, or social media.
Some creators host their videos on their own websites or through services like Vimeo, where download options may be built in. If the video is educational content, a tutorial, or something you need for work or school, the creator may have a version they can send you directly. This approach respects the creator's work and keeps you out of the terms-of-service violation zone.
If the creator is no longer active or doesn't respond, that's a signal that the video may not be worth the risk of using a third-party tool. The content may have been replaced with something newer, or the creator may have taken it down intentionally.
Checking if a video has a built-in download option
Some videos have a download button built directly into the YouTube player. This means the creator has explicitly allowed downloads. Look below the video player for a button that looks like a downward arrow or says "Download." If it's there, you can click it and save the video without any third-party tool or subscription.
Videos with built-in downloads are usually educational content, music videos where the artist has given permission, or clips from creators who want their work shared. The download button appears in the same area as the like, share, and save buttons. If you don't see it, the creator hasn't enabled downloads for that video.
This is the safest way to download because you're using YouTube's own system and the creator has already approved it. No malware risk, no account suspension risk, and no terms-of-service violation.
Screen recording as a last resort
If you need to keep a video and none of the above options work, screen recording is technically legal on most devices, though it has significant drawbacks. On iPhone, you can swipe down from the top right, hold the screen recording button, and tap start. On Android, pull down the notification shade, find screen recording, and tap it. The video will record whatever is on your screen, including the YouTube player.
Screen recording captures the video at whatever quality your screen displays, which is usually lower than the original. You'll also record the YouTube interface, any notifications that pop up, and the audio from your device's speakers. The file size is large and the quality degrades compared to the original. It's slow — a 10-minute video takes 10 minutes to record.
This method doesn't violate YouTube's terms because you're recording your own screen, not using a tool to extract the video file. However, it's impractical for anything longer than a few minutes and produces a lower-quality result than any other option. Use it only if the video is short and you have no other way to keep it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get in trouble for downloading YouTube videos with a third-party tool?
YouTube can suspend or ban your account if they detect you using unauthorized download tools. Your account could be flagged for violating their terms of service. Beyond that, the tool itself might contain malware or steal your login information. The risk to your account and device is real, not just theoretical.
Does YouTube Premium let me download videos forever?
No. YouTube Premium downloads expire after 30 days. After that, the video is deleted from your device and you need to download it again if you want to watch it. This is by design to protect creators' content from being permanently copied and redistributed.
What if I just want to save a link to watch later?
Use YouTube's built-in Save feature. Tap the save icon (it looks like a bookmark) below any video and it goes into your Saved playlist. You can watch it anytime you're online without downloading anything. This doesn't require a subscription and doesn't violate any terms.
Is there a free way to download YouTube videos legally?
Only if the creator has enabled the download button in the player or given you explicit permission. Otherwise, YouTube Premium is the official legal option. Some creators also post their videos on other platforms where downloads are allowed — check their channel description or website.
What happens if I use a download tool and YouTube finds out?
YouTube may send you a warning, temporarily restrict your account, or permanently ban you depending on how many violations they detect. Your account could lose access to all your subscriptions, playlists, and watch history. The tool itself might also expose you to malware or credential theft before YouTube even notices.