YouTube Video Downloader 2026 — The Only Guide You Need
The definitive guide to downloading YouTube videos in 2026. Download any YouTube video or Short in 4K, 1080p, or extract MP3 audio — free, no software, works on all devices.
Can You Still Download YouTube Videos in 2026?
Yes — and it is easier than ever, despite YouTube's best efforts to stop it. YouTube Premium offers limited offline playback with DRM-locked files that expire. But for truly permanent, format-flexible downloads you own on your device, a third-party downloader remains the go-to solution.
ClipsDown's YouTube downloader is one of the most reliable options in 2026 — no software install, no account, works on every device.
What Can You Download from YouTube?
| Content | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular videos | Yes | Up to 4K |
| YouTube Shorts | Yes | Treated as normal videos |
| YouTube Music | Yes | MP3 extraction available |
| YouTube Live (active) | No | Must be VOD first |
| YouTube Live (VOD replay) | Yes | After stream ends |
| Age-restricted videos | No | Requires platform auth |
| Private videos | No | Requires platform auth |
| YouTube Kids | No | Special CDN |
How to Download YouTube Videos in 2026 (Step-by-Step)
On Desktop (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari)
- Go to YouTube and find your video.
- Copy the URL from the address bar (e.g.,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXX). - Go to clipsdown.com/youtube.
- Paste the URL into the download box.
- Click Download.
- Choose your quality: 4K, 1080p, 720p, 360p, or MP3.
- Click the quality button to save the file.
On iPhone (Safari)
- Tap Share → Copy link in the YouTube app.
- Open ClipsDown in Safari.
- Paste and tap Download.
- Long-press the quality button → tap Download Linked File.
- Find the file in Files app → Save to Photos if desired.
On Android (Chrome)
- Tap Share → Copy link in the YouTube app.
- Open ClipsDown in Chrome.
- Paste and tap Download → tap the quality you want.
- The file automatically saves to your Downloads folder / Gallery.
Available Quality Options
| Quality | Resolution | File Size (per minute) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4K | 2160p | ~80MB | TV, editing |
| Full HD | 1080p | ~30MB | General use |
| HD | 720p | ~15MB | Mobile viewing |
| SD | 360p | ~5MB | Saving storage |
| MP3 | Audio only | ~1MB | Music, podcasts |
How to Download YouTube Shorts in 2026
YouTube Shorts are fully supported — the process is identical to regular videos:
- Tap Share → Copy link on the Short.
- Paste into ClipsDown.
- Download as MP4.
Shorts are vertical (9:16) MP4 files and download at up to 1080p quality.
How to Extract MP3 Audio from YouTube
After pasting a YouTube link and clicking Download, look for the MP3 or Audio option in the quality list. Selecting it downloads only the audio track as a high-quality MP3 file. This works for regular videos, music videos, podcasts, lectures, and Shorts.
Common YouTube Download Issues (2026)
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| "Could not process video" | Try the direct YouTube URL, not a shortened youtu.be link |
| Only low-quality options showing | The original video was uploaded at low resolution |
| Audio and video out of sync | Try a different quality option; try again in a few minutes |
| Download starts but doesn't complete | Check your browser's download manager for errors; free up storage |
Is It Legal to Download YouTube Videos?
YouTube's Terms of Service prohibit downloading without YouTube-provided means (Premium offline). However, for personal, offline, non-commercial use, enforcement is extremely rare and no individuals have faced legal consequences for private archiving. Never redistribute or monetize content you download without permission. See our full legal guide.
Alternative: yt-dlp (Command-Line Tool)
For power users who want batch downloads and playlist support, yt-dlp is the best open-source command-line tool. Install via pip:
```
pip install yt-dlp
yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID"
```
For casual use, ClipsDown's web interface is far simpler — no installation, no command line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ClipsDown's YouTube downloader really free?
Yes — 100% free, no sign-up, no download limits.
Can I download a full YouTube playlist?
ClipsDown processes individual videos. For full playlist downloading, use yt-dlp on the command line.
Does downloading YouTube affect the creator's view count?
Your initial page view on YouTube counts before the download. The offline playback does not re-increment the view counter.
Can I download YouTube videos on iPhone without an app?
Yes — use Safari and follow the iPhone steps above. No app download is needed.