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Save YouTube videos on your Mac for offline viewing



Download YouTube for Mac: How to Watch Videos Offline




YouTube is one of the most popular websites in the world, with billions of hours of video content available for streaming. But what if you want to watch YouTube videos on your Mac without an internet connection? Maybe you are traveling, working offline, or just want to save some bandwidth. In this article, we will show you how to download YouTube videos on your Mac for free or with some paid apps. We will also discuss the legal and ethical issues of downloading YouTube videos, and give you some tips and tricks to make the most of your offline viewing experience.




download youtube for mac



Introduction




Why download YouTube videos on Mac?




There are many reasons why you might want to download YouTube videos on your Mac. Here are some of them:


  • You can watch your favorite videos anytime, anywhere, without worrying about internet speed, data usage, or buffering.



  • You can create your own offline playlists and collections of videos that suit your interests and preferences.



  • You can edit, remix, or reuse the downloaded videos for your own projects, as long as you respect the original creators' rights and permissions.



  • You can backup or archive some videos that might be deleted, removed, or blocked by YouTube or the content owners.



  • You can enjoy some features that are not available on YouTube's website or app, such as adjusting playback speed, skipping ads, or adding subtitles.



What are the legal and ethical issues of downloading YouTube videos?




Before you start downloading YouTube videos on your Mac, you should be aware of some legal and ethical issues that might arise. 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. You are also not allowed to access, reproduce, distribute, display, or perform any content that infringes any intellectual property rights or violates any laws or regulations.


Therefore, downloading YouTube videos on your Mac without permission from YouTube or the content owners is technically illegal and could result in legal actions or penalties. However, in practice, YouTube rarely enforces these rules against individual users who download videos for personal use only. As long as you do not share, sell, or monetize the downloaded videos, you are unlikely to face any serious consequences.


How to download YouTube videos on a Mac for free


macOS Monterey- Install YouTube App on Mac M1


Download YouTube App for Mac from App Store


How To Download YouTube App On Mac *Best Workaround*


YouTube downloader for Mac - VideoProc Converter


How to screen capture YouTube videos with audio on a Mac


Best apps to download YouTube video on Mac


How to download YouTube videos on a Mac using Safari


How to download YouTube music on a Mac


How to download YouTube playlists on a Mac


How to download YouTube subtitles on a Mac


How to download YouTube live streams on a Mac


How to download YouTube 4K videos on a Mac


How to download YouTube VR videos on a Mac


How to download YouTube TV shows on a Mac


How to download YouTube Premium videos on a Mac


How to download YouTube Kids videos on a Mac


How to download YouTube Shorts videos on a Mac


How to download YouTube Gaming videos on a Mac


How to download YouTube Studio videos on a Mac


How to convert YouTube videos to MP3 on a Mac


How to convert YouTube videos to MP4 on a Mac


How to convert YouTube videos to GIF on a Mac


How to convert YouTube videos to MOV on a Mac


How to convert YouTube videos to AVI on a Mac


How to edit YouTube videos on a Mac


How to crop YouTube videos on a Mac


How to trim YouTube videos on a Mac


How to rotate YouTube videos on a Mac


How to merge YouTube videos on a Mac


How to upload YouTube videos from a Mac


How to record YouTube videos with webcam on a Mac


How to record YouTube videos with screen capture on a Mac


How to record YouTube videos with QuickTime on a Mac


How to stream YouTube videos from a Mac to TV


How to stream YouTube videos from iPhone/iPad/iPod touch to Mac


How to watch YouTube videos offline on a Mac


How to watch YouTube videos in picture-in-picture mode on a Mac


How to watch YouTube videos in dark mode on a Mac


How to watch YouTube videos in full screen mode on a Mac


How to watch 360-degree YouTube videos on a Mac


How to watch HDR YouTube videos on a Mac


How to watch 3D YouTube videos on a Mac


How to watch age-restricted YouTube videos on a Mac


How to watch blocked YouTube videos on a Mac using VPN or proxy


How to fix YouTube not working/loading/playing/buffering issues on a Mac


How to speed up/slow down YouTube playback speed on a Mac


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However, even if downloading YouTube videos on your Mac is legal, it might not be ethical. You should respect the rights and wishes of the content creators who put their time and effort into making their videos. You should also consider the impact of your downloading on their revenue and reputation. You should also avoid downloading any videos that contain sensitive, harmful, or illegal content.


Therefore, we recommend that you download YouTube videos on your Mac only if you have a valid reason and permission to do so. You should also give credit to the original sources and follow the fair use guidelines when using the downloaded videos.


How to download YouTube videos on Mac for free




If you want to download YouTube videos on your Mac for free, you have two main options: screen capture with audio or online video converter. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so you should choose the one that suits your needs and preferences. Here are the steps for each option:


Option 1: Screen capture with audio on Mac




This option allows you to record the video and audio of any YouTube video playing on your Mac screen. You can use the built-in QuickTime Player app on your Mac to do this. Here are the steps:


Step 1: Open the video you want to download in your browser




Go to YouTube's website and find the video you want to download. Open it in your browser and pause it at the beginning. Make sure the video quality and volume are set to your desired levels.


Step 2: Launch QuickTime Player and choose New Screen Recording




Open the QuickTime Player app on your Mac and go to File > New Screen Recording. A small window will pop up with a record button and some options.


Step 3: Adjust the recording settings and select the area of the screen




Click the arrow next to the record button and choose the audio source you want to use. You can either use the built-in microphone or an external one. You can also adjust the volume level and show mouse clicks if you want. Then, click the record button and drag to select the area of the screen where the video is playing. You can also click anywhere on the screen to record the whole screen.


Step 4: Click the record button and play the video




After selecting the area of the screen, click the record button again and switch back to your browser. Play the video from the beginning and watch it until the end. You can also pause, resume, or skip parts of the video as you wish.


Step 5: Click the stop button and save the recording as a video file




When the video is finished, click the stop button on the menu bar or press Command + Control + Esc on your keyboard. A preview window will appear with your recording. You can play it back, trim it, or edit it as you like. Then, go to File > Save and choose a name and location for your video file. Click Save and wait for it to be exported.


Option 2: Use an online YouTube video converter




This option allows you to convert any YouTube video into a downloadable video file in various formats and qualities. You can use any online video converter website that supports YouTube, such as OnlineVideoConverter. Here are the steps:


Step 1: Copy the URL of the video you want to download




Go to YouTube's website and find the video you want to download. Copy its URL from the address bar of your browser.


Step 2: Go to an online video converter website, such as OnlineVideoConverter




Open a new tab in your browser and go to an online video converter website, such as . Paste the URL in the input box and click the Go button.


Step 3: Choose the output format and quality




On the next page, you will see a list of output formats and qualities to choose from. You can select any format that is compatible with your Mac, such as MP4, MOV, or AVI. You can also choose the quality level, such as 720p, 1080p, or 4K. The higher the quality, the larger the file size and the longer the conversion time.


Step 4: Click the start button and wait for the conversion to finish




After choosing the output format and quality, click the start button and wait for the conversion to finish. You will see a progress bar and a countdown timer on the screen. Depending on the length and quality of the video, this may take from a few seconds to several minutes.


Step 5: Download the converted video file to your Mac




When the conversion is done, you will see a download link on the screen. Click it and save the video file to your Mac. You can also scan the QR code or copy the download link to your clipboard if you want to transfer the file to another device.


Best apps to download YouTube videos on Mac




If you want to download YouTube videos on your Mac with more features and options, you might want to use some paid apps that are designed for this purpose. There are many apps available on the market, but we have selected two of the best ones for you: MacX YouTube Downloader and Toolbox for Safari. Here are their features, pros, cons, and how to use them:


MacX YouTube Downloader




Features, pros, and cons of MacX YouTube Downloader




MacX YouTube Downloader is a powerful and easy-to-use app that allows you to download YouTube videos on your Mac in various formats and qualities. You can also download videos from other websites, such as Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc. Here are some of its features, pros, and cons:


FeaturesProsCons


- Supports downloading videos in MP4, FLV, WebM, 3GP, etc.- Fast and reliable downloading speed- Free version has limited features and ads


- Supports downloading videos in 720p, 1080p, 4K, 8K, etc.- Easy and intuitive user interface- Paid version is expensive ($29.95)


- Supports downloading videos with subtitles and audio tracks- Batch downloading and auto-updating features- Does not support downloading videos with DRM protection


- Supports downloading playlists, channels, live streams, etc.- Compatible with macOS 10.6 or later- Does not support converting videos to other formats


How to use MacX YouTube Downloader to download YouTube videos on Mac




To use MacX YouTube Downloader to download YouTube videos on your Mac, follow these steps:


  • Download and install MacX YouTube Downloader from its official website.



  • Launch the app and click the Add URL button on the top left corner.



  • Copy and paste the URL of the video you want to download in the pop-up window.



  • Select the output format and quality from the drop-down menu.



  • Click the Download Now button and wait for the download to finish.



  • Find the downloaded video file in your destination folder or in the app's interface.



Toolbox for Safari




Features, pros, and cons of Toolbox for Safari




Toolbox for Safari is a handy and versatile app that allows you to download YouTube videos on your Mac directly from your Safari browser. You can also use it to download videos from other websites, such as Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc. Here are some of its features, pros, and cons:


FeaturesProsCons


- Supports downloading videos in MP4, M4A, WEBM, etc.- Seamless integration with Safari browser- Free version has limited features and ads


- Supports downloading videos in 360p, 720p, 1080p, etc.- Simple and elegant user interface- Paid version is pricey ($19.99/year)


- Supports downloading videos with subtitles and audio tracks- Multiple downloading and management features- Does not support downloading videos with DRM protection


- Supports downloading playlists, channels, live streams, etc.- Compatible with macOS 10.13 or later- Does not support converting videos to other formats


How to use Toolbox for Safari to download YouTube videos on Mac




To use Toolbox for Safari to download YouTube videos on your Mac, follow these steps:


  • Download and install Toolbox for Safari from its official website or from the Mac App Store.



  • Launch Safari and enable the Toolbox extension from the Preferences > Extensions menu.



  • Go to YouTube's website and find the video you want to download.



  • Click the Toolbox icon on the toolbar and choose the Download Video option.



  • Select the output format and quality from the pop-up window.



  • Click the Download button and wait for the download to finish.



  • Find the downloaded video file in your Downloads folder or in the Toolbox app's interface.



Conclusion




Summary of the main points and recommendations




In this article, we have shown you how to download YouTube videos on your Mac for free or with some paid apps. We have also discussed the legal and ethical issues of downloading YouTube videos, and given you some tips and tricks to make the most of your offline viewing experience. Here are the main points and recommendations we have covered:


  • You can download YouTube videos on your Mac for free by using screen capture with audio or online video converter. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so you should choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.



  • You can download YouTube videos on your Mac with more features and options by using some paid apps that are designed for this purpose. We have recommended two of the best apps for you: MacX YouTube Downloader and Toolbox for Safari. Both apps have their features, pros, and cons, so you should compare them and choose the one that meets your requirements and budget.



  • You should be aware of the legal and ethical issues of downloading YouTube videos on your Mac. You should respect the rights and wishes of the content creators and follow the fair use guidelines when using the downloaded videos. You should also avoid downloading any videos that contain sensitive, harmful, or illegal content.



  • You should enjoy watching YouTube videos offline on your Mac with some features that are not available on YouTube's website or app, such as adjusting playback speed, skipping ads, or adding subtitles. You should also create your own offline playlists and collections of videos that suit your interests and preferences.



We hope this article has helped you learn how to download YouTube videos on your Mac. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy watching!


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)




Q: Is it safe to download YouTube videos on Mac?




A: It is generally safe to download YouTube videos on your Mac as long as you use a reliable app or website that does not contain any malware or viruses. You should also scan the downloaded files with an antivirus software before opening them.


Q: How can I download YouTube videos on my iPhone or iPad?




A: You can download YouTube videos on your iPhone or iPad by using some apps that are available on the App Store, such as Documents by Readdle or Shortcuts by Apple. You can also use some online video converters that work on mobile browsers, such as Y2Mate or SaveFrom.net.


Q: How can I download YouTube videos in MP3 format on my Mac?




A: You can download YouTube videos in MP3 format on your Mac by using some apps that can convert videos to audio files, such as MacX Video Converter Pro or Wondershare UniConverter. You can also use some online video converters that can extract audio from videos, such as YTMP3 or MP3FY.


Q: How can I download YouTube videos with subtitles on my Mac?




A: You can download YouTube videos with subtitles on your Mac by using some apps that can download both video and subtitle files, such as MacX YouTube Downloader or Toolbox for Safari. You can also use some online video converters that can download subtitles along with videos, such as 4K Video Downloader or ClipConverter.


Q: How can I download YouTube videos faster on my Mac?




A: You can download YouTube videos faster on your Mac by using some tips and tricks, such as:


  • Choosing a lower quality or resolution for the output file



  • Closing other tabs or apps that consume bandwidth or CPU



  • Using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi



  • Using a download manager or accelerator app, such as Folx or Speed Download



  • Downloading videos during off-peak hours or when the internet traffic is low



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