Read this article to learn how to download YouTube videos to watch offline on a computer, smartphone, or tablet. YouTube Premium subscribers can download videos for offline viewing through the platform's own mobile app. If this is not the case for you, you will need a converter such as OnlineVideoConverter to perform this procedure.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using YouTube Premium for Android, iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open YouTube on your smartphone or tablet
Subscribers to YouTube Premium service can download videos to watch offline easily through the app itself. To open YouTube, tap the red square icon with a white triangle on your Home screen (iPhone/iPad) or app drawer (Android).
If you want to subscribe to YouTube Premium, tap your profile picture in the upper right corner of the app interface, select the option Get access to YouTube Premium and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen.
Step 2. Tap the video you want to watch offline
Normally it will start playing automatically.
Step 3. Tap Download
The icon for this button (a gray circle with an arrow pointing down) can be found directly below the video.
Step 4. Tap the desired video quality
Options may vary depending on how the video was recorded.
If you want the app to remember your selection in future downloads, check the box next to “Remember my settings”
Step 5. Tap OK
Once this is done, the video will start downloading in the selected size and quality. After the download is complete, a blue and white checkmark will appear below it.
If you are using an iPhone or iPad, the download will only start when you stop watching the video
Step 6. Navigate to your Library to watch a video when offline
Once disconnected from the internet, it's easy to view the video you've downloaded: just tap the tab Library, in the bottom right corner of YouTube, and select it.
Method 2 of 4: Using OnlineVideoConverter on a Computer
Step 1. Access the video you want to watch offline
Open YouTube.com and click on the desired video.
Step 2. Copy the video URL
Highlight the entire URL of the page for the video, then press Ctrl+C (PC) or ⌘ Command+C to copy it to the clipboard.
Step 3. Access the YouTube Video Converter from OnlineVideoConverter website
On this page you can turn YouTube videos into files that can be downloaded for free.
Step 4. Right-click on the “Paste a link here” box
You will find it in the middle of the top of the page. A menu will be displayed.
Step 5. Click Paste
Once that's done, the copied URL will appear in the box.
Step 6. Select a video format from the “Format” menu
This option is located just below the field where you pasted the video URL. Available options will be displayed on the right side of the list. Most of the most popular video players these days will play any of them.
Step 7. Click START
You will see this button (orange color) below the menu. The message “Preparing your conversion” will be displayed. When the process is complete, the “Download” button will be displayed.
If you receive an error message, your browser probably has a plug-in that prevents the site from working (an ad blocker or privacy protection tool, for example). To resolve this issue, disable all extensions, reload the page and try again
Step 8. Click Download
You will find this button (blue color) near the top of the page. Then the “Save” dialog will open on your computer.
Step 9. Click Save to download the video
When the download is complete, double-click the file name to watch it.
Method 3 of 4: Using OnlineVideoConverter on an iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Download Readdle Documents from the App Store
This free app allows you to download files (such as converted videos) and view them on your iPhone or iPad. While you can access the converter's website from Safari itself, it's recommended to use Documents to make it easier to find and view the video file once it's downloaded. To install this application, perform the following procedure:
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Open the App Store
- tap Search, in the lower right corner.
- Enter Documents and tap Search.
- Scroll down and tap Readdle Documents (the application icon is a gray “D” with a bent corner in green and yellow colors).
- tap GET.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to install the app. When the process is complete, you can close the App Store.
Step 2. Open YouTube on your iPhone or iPad
To do this, tap the icon composed of a red rectangle with a white triangle inside. You'll usually find it on your device's Home screen.
Step 3. Tap the video you want to watch offline
In most cases, it will start playing automatically.
Step 4. Tap Share
The icon for this option (a gray curved arrow) is located below the video.
Step 5. Tap Copy Link
This button is round and has two overlapping squares inside it. Once this is done, the video URL will be copied to the clipboard.
Step 6. Open Documents
The app icon is composed of a gray D on a white background. You'll find it on your Home screen.
If this is your first time using Documents, swipe the screen to close the application's intro
Step 7. Tap the blue compass icon
It is located in the lower right corner of Documents. The web browser built into the application will open.
Step 8. Navigate to the OnlineVideoConverter website
Enter the address https://www.onlinevideoconverter.com/youtube-converter in the blank field at the top of the screen, then touch the key Go to open it.
Step 9. Press and hold your finger on the “Paste a link here” field
Two options will be displayed.
Step 10. Tap Paste
Once this is done, the video URL will be inserted in the field.
By default, the video file will be downloaded in.mp4 format, which can play smoothly on your iPhone or iPad. If you want to change it, choose the desired format in the “Format” menu
Step 11. Tap the orange START button
Once that's done, OnlineVideoConverter will convert the YouTube video into a downloadable file. When the process is complete, you will be redirected to a download page.
Step 12. Tap DOWNLOAD
You will find this button (blue color) right below the file preview. Then the “Save File” dialog will open.
By default, the file will be saved in the Downloads folder in the Documents application. Don't change this location as that way you can watch the video without worrying about iOS restrictions
Step 13. Tap OK
This option is located in the upper right corner of the screen. Once this is done, the file will be transferred to your iPhone or iPad.
- When the download is complete, a red number will appear on the Downloads icon (the down arrow at the bottom of the screen).
- The app may request that notifications be sent to your device. tap To allow if you want to receive notifications from the app when your downloads complete. Otherwise, tap do not allow.
Step 14. Tap Downloads
This option is represented by a down arrow and is located at the bottom of the screen. A list of all files downloaded with Documents will appear, including the video you just downloaded.
Step 15. Tap the video when you want to watch it
It will open in your iPhone or iPad's default video player.
To watch the video at another time, just open the Documents, touch the folder Downloads and select the video file.
Method 4 of 4: Using OnlineVideoConverter on an Android
Step 1. Open YouTube on your Android
The app icon is made up of a red rectangle with a white triangle inside. You'll usually find it on your home screen or in the app drawer.
Step 2. Tap the video you want to watch offline
In most cases it will start playing automatically.
Step 3. Tap Share
The icon for this option (a gray curved arrow) is located below the video.
Step 4. Tap Copy Link
This button is round and has two overlapping squares inside it. Once this is done, the video URL will be copied to the clipboard.
Step 5. Open a web browser
You can use Chrome, Samsung Internet or any other browser you like.
Step 6. Navigate to the OnlineVideoConverter website
Enter the address https://www.onlinevideoconverter.com/youtube-converter in the blank field at the top of the screen, then touch the key Enter to access it.
Step 7. Press and hold your finger on the “Paste a link here” field
Some options will be displayed.
Step 8. Tap Paste
Once this is done, the video URL will be inserted in the field.
By default, the video file will be downloaded in.mp4 format, which can play smoothly on your Android device. If you want to change it, choose the desired format in the “Format” menu
Step 9. Tap the orange START button
Once that's done, OnlineVideoConverter will convert the YouTube video into a downloadable file. When the process is complete, you will be redirected to a download page.
Step 10. Tap DOWNLOAD
You will find this button (blue color) right below the file preview.
Step 11. Follow the onscreen instructions to save the file
The rest of the procedure may vary depending on the Android version used on your device. In most of them, you will see the “Download File” window, which gives you the option to choose a storage location. Select your device's Downloads folder (if it isn't already selected) and follow the instructions to start the download.
You may need to allow the application to save files to your device before the “File Download” window appears
Step 12. Watch the video when offline
To do this, just open the app. Downloads on your Android (usually you'll find it in the app drawer) and play the video.