The simplest way to download YouTube videos on Android and iPhone
YouTube's official app does not let you download videos to keep permanently on your phone. Instead, YouTube offers offline viewing through YouTube Premium — a paid subscription that lets you save videos to watch later without an internet connection, but only within the YouTube app itself. If you cancel the subscription, those downloads disappear.
If you want to download videos as actual files you own and can move around, you need a third-party app or website. The most straightforward options are apps like TubeMate (Android only), Snaptube (Android only), or web-based downloaders like y2mate.com or savefrom.net that work on both Android and iPhone. These let you save videos as MP4 files directly to your phone's storage.
Before you download anything, understand what you are legally allowed to do. YouTube's terms of service prohibit downloading videos unless YouTube explicitly permits it — which it does only for YouTube Premium members using the offline feature. Downloading copyrighted content without permission violates those terms and may violate copyright law in your country. That said, downloading videos you created yourself, videos marked as Creative Commons, or videos the creator has explicitly allowed to be downloaded is generally legal.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium's offline feature is the only method YouTube officially supports, but downloads only work inside the YouTube app and expire if you cancel your subscription.
- Third-party apps like TubeMate and Snaptube (Android) or web tools like y2mate.com (both platforms) download videos as files you own, but downloading copyrighted content without permission violates YouTube's terms of service.
- Before downloading, check whether the video creator has given permission or marked the video as Creative Commons — downloading without permission is against the rules.
- Downloaded videos take up significant storage space; a typical one-hour video in standard quality uses 300–500 MB, and high quality uses 1–2 GB.
Using YouTube Premium for offline viewing
YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month in the United States, though pricing varies by country and changes periodically. Once you subscribe, open any video in the YouTube app and tap the Download button (a downward arrow) below the video title. The video saves to your phone and remains available offline for up to 30 days. After 30 days, you must reconnect to the internet and refresh the app to keep watching it.
The offline videos stay only in the YouTube app — you cannot move them to another app, send them to someone else, or keep them if your subscription ends. YouTube Premium also removes ads from videos and lets you play videos with your screen off, which saves battery. If offline viewing is your main reason for subscribing, this is the legal and straightforward route.
Downloading with third-party apps on Android
TubeMate and Snaptube are the most widely used Android apps for downloading YouTube videos. Neither is available in the Google Play Store because they violate YouTube's terms of service, so you download them directly from the app's website. This means your phone will warn you that you are installing an app from an unknown source — you have to allow this in your phone's security settings before installation.
To download with TubeMate: open the app, search for the video you want, tap the red download button, choose your quality (360p, 480p, 720p, or higher), and select where to save it. The video appears in your phone's file manager or gallery app once the download finishes. Snaptube works similarly — search, tap download, choose quality, and confirm. Both apps let you download audio only (as MP3) if you want just the sound from a music video or podcast.
These apps are free but often show ads. They also request permission to access your storage, camera, and contacts — permissions that are necessary for the app to work but worth reviewing. If you are uncomfortable granting those permissions or installing from outside the Play Store, this method is not for you.
Downloading on iPhone using web tools
iPhone does not have reliable third-party download apps because Apple's App Store policies are stricter than Google Play. Instead, use a web-based downloader in Safari. y2mate.com and savefrom.net are two of the most stable options. Both work the same way: paste the YouTube video URL, choose your quality, and download.
Open Safari and go to y2mate.com. Copy the YouTube video link (open the video in YouTube, tap Share, tap Copy Link), return to Safari, paste it into the search box on y2mate, and tap Download. A menu appears showing quality options — select your preferred resolution and format (MP4 video or MP3 audio). Tap Download again, and the file saves to your phone's Files app or Downloads folder.
Web-based downloaders are slower than apps and sometimes stop working when YouTube changes its systems. If one site stops working, try another. These tools also display ads, and some ads are deceptive (fake download buttons that lead to other sites). Click only the button labeled with the video quality you chose, not ads around it.
Understanding storage and file size
Downloaded videos consume storage space quickly. A typical YouTube video in standard definition (360p or 480p) uses 300–500 MB per hour. High definition (720p) uses 800 MB to 1.5 GB per hour. 4K video uses 2–4 GB per hour. If your phone has 64 GB of storage and you download ten one-hour videos in 720p, you have used roughly 10–15 GB — about 15 to 25 percent of your total space.
Before downloading, check how much free space you have. On Android, open Settings, tap Storage, and look at the available space. On iPhone, open Settings, tap General, tap iPhone Storage, and see the available space at the top. If you are running low, delete old downloads or move files to a computer before downloading new ones. Videos you download stay on your phone until you manually delete them — they do not disappear on their own.
What to do if a download fails or gets stuck
Downloads fail for several reasons: a weak internet connection, the video being removed from YouTube, or the downloader tool being outdated. If a download stalls, close the app or browser, wait a few seconds, and try again. If it fails repeatedly, try a different video to see whether the problem is with that specific video or your connection.
If the downloader website or app stops working entirely, it may have been taken down or blocked by YouTube. Try a different tool — there are dozens of web-based downloaders, and new ones appear regularly as old ones are shut down. Search for "YouTube downloader" in your browser and try the top results. Avoid sites that ask you to install software or log in with your YouTube account; stick to simple tools that only ask for a URL.
Legal and safety considerations
Downloading a video does not give you the right to share it, edit it, or use it commercially. If you download a music video, you own a copy for personal use, but you cannot upload it to another platform, sell it, or claim you created it. The same applies to movie clips, TV show excerpts, and other copyrighted content. Downloading and redistributing copyrighted material can result in copyright strikes, account suspension, or legal action from the copyright holder.
Third-party downloader apps and websites are targets for malware because they operate in a gray legal area. Before installing an app, check recent reviews in the app store or on Reddit to see whether users report problems. Avoid downloaders that ask for your YouTube password, credit card information, or permission to access your contacts — legitimate tools need none of these. If a website looks cluttered with ads or has spelling errors, it is probably not trustworthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download videos from YouTube Premium creators?
Yes. YouTube Premium's offline feature works on any video, including those from creators who have a paid channel. Third-party downloaders also work on these videos. However, downloading copyrighted content (music, movies, TV shows) without permission remains against YouTube's terms of service, regardless of whether the creator is a Premium member.
What happens if I download a video and the creator deletes it?
The video stays on your phone. You own the file once it is downloaded. However, if the video was copyrighted material and the copyright holder finds out you downloaded it, they can still take action against you — the creator deleting it does not erase your legal responsibility.
Can I download videos faster by changing quality settings?
Yes. Lower quality (360p or 480p) downloads much faster than high quality (720p or 1080p) because the file is smaller. If your internet is slow, choose 480p or lower. If you only plan to watch on your phone's screen, 480p is usually clear enough and saves storage space.
Is it safe to use web-based downloaders like y2mate?
Web-based downloaders are generally safer than installing apps because you do not give them permission to access your phone's files or contacts. However, they display ads, and some ads are malicious. Click only the download button for the quality you selected, not any ads around it. If a site asks you to install software or log in, leave immediately.
Will downloading videos use a lot of my mobile data?
Yes. Downloading a one-hour video in 720p uses 800 MB to 1.5 GB of data. If you have a limited data plan, download only on Wi-Fi. Most phones let you restrict app downloads to Wi-Fi only — on Android, open Settings, tap Apps, select your downloader, tap Permissions, and toggle off Mobile Data. On iPhone, open Settings, tap the app name, and toggle off Cellular Data.