A free YouTube video downloader is required to download YouTube videos for free. Sometimes two, since the first one has a network problem or is crammed with strange and obnoxious advertising.
In general, online YouTube video downloaders have been a go-to place for consumers looking to download YouTube videos for free. However, in other circumstances, these “free” YouTube downloaders charge far more than we could have imagined.
Problems with online free YouTube video downloaders
One of the golden principles of the Internet is to be cautious about what you download. The same rule applies when using online YouTube downloaders to download videos.
1. High risk of malware
If you Google “Download YouTube video,” you’ll see hundreds of self-proclaimed top video downloading websites online attempting to entice you to use their online video downloader. However, not all of them are ostensibly legitimate. Given the high level of competition, few people are likely to engage in such immoral practices in order to profit from users.
Malvertising is one such way, in which internet adverts are loaded with malicious code that sends the user to a malicious website. Once you’ve been compelled to view the malicious website, the culprits can install adware or a mining botnet in your system to make money, even if you’ve already closed the site.
It’s not only malware; visiting risky websites exposes you to a variety of viruses and trojans that can cause far more damage, such as stealing sensitive information.
2. Illegal
Ripping films from websites is not only harmful but also against YouTube’s rules and conditions. It is illegal to download YouTube or make copies of any copyrighted video in practically all countries with copyright laws.
If detected, the offender could face a trial or a fine.
Although YouTube has never chastised a user for using a video downloader to download infringing content, the practice is illegal. It’s quite improbable that the YouTube video you want to save is not protected by copyright restrictions. However, there are a few YouTube videos that are exempt from copyright rules, such as those labelled Creative Commons (CC) and those with expired copyrights. Overall, downloading YouTube videos is against the law.
How can I legally and for free download YouTube videos?
We’ve proven that utilising YouTube video downloaders is not only dangerous but also frequently illegal. I’ll show you how to use the official YouTube app to download YouTube videos without using any software.
1. YouTube app
Here’s what you’ll need to do to legally download a YouTube video:
- Use the YouTube mobile app (Android/iOS).
- Tap on the video you wish to download.
- Just underneath the video thumbnail, click the Download option.
- Choose the video quality.
- To save a YouTube video, press the OK button.
The video is now available for download. Even if you are not connected to the internet, you can watch or listen to the video. If you merely want to download songs from YouTube, try the YouTube Music app, which gives you access to millions of songs on YouTube and allows you to listen to them offline.
2. YouTube Go app
YouTube Go is one of Google’s lightweight Android apps designed for low-performance smartphones. Users who want to download YouTube videos for free, on the other hand, can benefit from it.
Follow these methods to download YouTube videos on the Go version:
- Download the YouTube Go app (Android)
- Choose a video.
- Select the quality option from the following menu.
- Click the “Download” button.
Why should you use the YouTube app to download videos?
YouTube is used by millions of people to listen to music. One of the most compelling advantages for using a third-party YouTube downloader is the ability to listen to the video when the screen is turned off.
That, however, is old news. With YouTube Premium, you can watch videos while using other apps or when your screen is turned off. A YouTube Premium subscription costs $12 per month and includes background play, ad-free viewing, unrestricted access to YouTube Music, and YouTube originals.
The main disadvantage of downloading a video without using any YouTube downloader software is that you can only watch it on the YouTube app. Every other issue with free YouTube downloads can be remedied by purchasing a YouTube premium subscription.