One of the most practical benefits of YouTube Premium is the ability to download videos for offline viewing. This is particularly useful for long flights, commutes with unreliable signal, or international travel where you want to avoid data charges. Downloads are stored within the YouTube app and play without any internet connection required.
Requirements for Offline Downloads
- An active YouTube Premium subscription.
- The YouTube app on iPhone, iPad, or Android (downloads are not available in desktop browsers).
- Sufficient storage space on your device.
Note: Not every video is available for download. Creators can restrict downloads on their videos, and some content (live streams, some premium or licensed content) cannot be saved offline.
How to Download a Video on iPhone or Android
- Open the YouTube app and find the video you want to download.
- Below the video player, tap the Download button (a downward arrow icon). If you cannot see it, tap the three-dot menu and look for Download there.
- Select your preferred download quality. Options typically include 144p, 360p, 480p, 720p, and 1080p. Higher quality means better video but larger file size.
- Tap Download. The video will begin downloading in the background.
How to Download an Entire Playlist
- Open a playlist in the YouTube app.
- At the top of the playlist, tap the Download icon (downward arrow) next to the playlist title.
- Select download quality and confirm.
- All videos in the playlist that are available for offline saving will download automatically.
Where to Find Your Downloaded Videos
- Tap your profile picture in the YouTube app.
- Select Downloads.
All downloaded videos appear here, organised by download date or playlist. You can play any video from this screen without an internet connection.
Managing Downloads: Delete and Storage Settings
To delete a downloaded video, go to Downloads, find the video, tap the three-dot menu next to it, and select Delete from downloads. To control how much storage downloads can use, go to Settings, tap Downloads, and adjust the Recommended storage limit. You can also change the default download quality here to avoid large files accumulating on your device.
Download Expiry
Downloaded videos are not permanent. They expire after a set period (typically 30 days) and require an internet connection at least every 30 days to renew the license and keep them accessible. If your Premium subscription lapses, all downloaded videos become unplayable immediately.
Downloading YouTube Music Tracks Offline
YouTube Premium also includes offline downloads for YouTube Music. In the YouTube Music app, tap the three-dot menu next to any song, album, or playlist and select Download. Downloaded music appears in your Library under Downloads and plays without an internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer downloaded YouTube videos to my computer?
No. Downloads are encrypted and stored only within the YouTube app. They cannot be transferred to your computer, shared, or played outside the app. They are designed for personal offline viewing only.
Does download quality affect the video’s appearance?
Yes. For comfortable viewing on a phone screen, 720p is generally the best balance of quality and file size. For a tablet or if you plan to watch on a larger screen via AirPlay or casting, download at 1080p.
Will downloaded videos use my mobile data?
By default, downloads happen over Wi-Fi only. Go to Settings, then Downloads, and toggle on ‘Download over mobile network’ if you want to download using cellular data.
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