I wondered how to download a YouTube video after watching a great conference recorded by a colleague. I wanted to save it on my phone and be able to listen to it even without an internet connection.
Downloading a YouTube video is not possible unless you have a paid YouTube Premium subscription.
I looked for an alternative to the subscription and eventually found a solution using free software on my PC: VLC Media Player.
How to Download Videos and Music from YouTube
Below I will show you how to download a YouTube video with VLC easily and quickly in just 10 steps.
But be careful: downloading copyrighted videos or music is illegal.
YouTube specifically states:
“You may not download any Content unless you see a ‘download’ link or similar displayed by YouTube on the Service for that Content.”
And even if the download button is available, the risk is not only getting your YouTube account closed—you could also be committing a crime.
How to Download YouTube Videos with VLC Media Player
Ok, here we go. Ready?
1. Download VLC and install it on your PC
It’s easy to find the right version: on the official VLC website you can download it for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, Linux, and Android.
2. Once VLC is installed, go to YouTube using your preferred browser
Find the video you want to download and start playing it.
3. Copy the video URL from the address bar
4. Launch VLC on your PC and open a New Network Stream
This allows you to play content from your web browser directly in VLC.
- If you have Windows or Linux: click Media, then Open Network Stream.
- If you use macOS: click File, then Open Network.
5. Paste the URL you copied and click “Play”
This ensures that VLC is loading the exact video you want to download.
Now you can proceed to save the YouTube video.
6. Click Media > Convert / Save
7. Go to the “Network” tab
You will see the YouTube URL already inserted (if not, paste it again).
8. Click the “Convert / Save” button
You will see the YouTube URL under “Source”.
Check the “Convert” option.
9. Choose the video or audio profile
Then click “Browse” to choose the file name and location.
(For example, I typed “myvideofile” and selected the “Videos” folder on my PC.)
10. Finally, click “Start”
You will now see the YouTube video playing in VLC while the file is being converted.
It may take some time depending on the size of the video.
When the process is finished, you will find the downloaded video file in the destination folder you selected
This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)
