How to use a free YouTube download app to watch videos offline for 2022

Using a free YouTube downloader app to own a collection of downloaded videos is easier than you think, thanks to our curated selection of software that can do just that.

It’s a great option to use on your iPhone 13 for example, when you’re in an area that has no 5G connection or Wi-Fi signal for example, such as on a train, a plane, or a work commute. If you’re staying somewhere for Christmas, it could be a great way of watching or listening to a collection of YouTube videos.

While you can use YouTube Premium to download content, it only stores them within the app. But the list below allows you to store them and upload them to an application of your choice instead.

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However, if you’d like to convert any of these into an MP3 for example, be sure to check out our guide to the best YouTube to MP3 converters.

The best YouTube downloader right now is :
The best YouTube downloader right now is :
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe
Of all the YouTube downloaders we’ve tried, WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe is the most impressive. It doesn’t just grab videos – it can also convert them into virtually any format, rips content from DVDs and Blu-ray discs, and lets you burn your own. It handles 4K content with ease, too. It’s not free, unlike the software below, but you won’t find a more powerful tool.

DOWNLOAD YOUTUBE VIDEOS TO A WINDOWS PC
Download and install 4K Video Downloader on your device

4K Video Downloader is a free YouTube video downloader that’s very simple to use (Image credit: OpenMedia LLC)
1. Get 4K Video Downloader
To download YouTube videos to a Windows PC, start by downloading and installing 4K Video Downloader. This versatile software is completely free, and can download whole playlists, as well as 360-degree and 3D videos. When it’s done, check the box marked ‘Launch’ and click ‘Finish’.

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Paste video URL into 4K Video Downloader on your device

Once you’ve copied the video’s URL from your browser, click the green ‘Paste’ button in 4K Video Downloader (Image credit: OpenMedia LLC)
2. Copy and paste the video URL
Open your web browser, find the video you want to download from YouTube and copy its URL from the address bar. Then return to 4K Video Downloader and click the green ‘Paste Link’ button at the top left.

The software will retrieve information about the video and give you a choice of quality options. These will vary depending on the quality of the original video, but the software can download YouTube videos in 4K if it’s available.

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Choose the video quality and format on your device

The download options will vary depending on the quality of the original video on YouTube (Image credit: OpenMedia LLC)
3. Choose the quality and format
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4K Video Downloader will allow you to download whole YouTube videos, or just rip the audio. Choose your preferred selection using the drop-down menu on the left, then choose a format using the menu on the right. We prefer MP4 for our videos, because it gives a good balance of quality and file size – and will play on basically every device.

Then, choose your quality. For playing back video on your TV or PC, we recommend picking the highest resolution, but bear in mind that this will take longer and will take up more space. Luckily, you can check the estimated file size on the left to see how much space it will take.

You can also choose where the downloaded video should be saved using the ‘Browse’ button at the bottom. Once you’re happy, click ‘Download’.

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Download a whole YouTube channel for your device

When you download an individual video, 4K Video Downloader will give you the option of downloading the entire channel (Image credit: OpenMedia LLC)
4. Download the YouTube video
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The YouTube video will now be downloaded for you. If there are other videos in the creator’s channel, 4K Video Downloader will ask whether you want to download those as well. It can download up to 24 videos at once.

Once the video has finished downloading, you can find it in the destination folder, or right-click it in 4K Video Downloader and select ‘Play’. Unless you adjust the settings, the video will stay in this list until you choose to remove it – even if you close and restart the software.

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Set Smart Mode to download YouTube videos with one click

With Smart Mode, you can download YouTube Videos with a single click. It saves your settings so you don’t have to re-enter them each time (Image credit: OpenMedia LLC)
5. Try Smart Mode
If you often download videos in the same format, check out Smart Mode. This saves your download preferences and loads them automatically. Click the lightbulb icon at the top right and next time you paste a URL into 4K Video Downloader, it will be downloaded instantly with the last settings you used.