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Guide to Legally Downloading YouTube Videos via YouTube Premium
Key points
- YouTube Premium allows in-app video downloads.
- Downloads are not transferable to external files or other devices.
- The feature is available on both mobile and desktop.
- YouTube Premium Lite offers similar download functionality with some content restrictions.
YouTube Premium Download Feature
YouTube Premium offers a feature that allows users to download videos directly within the YouTube application. This functionality, which was previously limited to mobile, became available on desktop platforms after testing in 2020. The download option is accessible by clicking the three dots next to the Like, Dislike, and Share buttons on a video.
Limitations of Downloaded Videos
Videos downloaded through YouTube Premium are strictly for in-application use. They do not create a video file on the user's device and cannot be used for external purposes, such as editing into other videos. Additionally, downloads are not synchronized across different devices, meaning a video downloaded on a mobile device will not automatically appear as downloaded on a desktop, even with the same account.
Accessing Downloaded Content
Once downloaded, videos are stored in the 'Downloads' section of the YouTube account. On desktop, this section is found in the left menu, while on mobile, it is located at the bottom of the 'Library' section, below 'Recents' and user-created playlists. YouTube Premium Lite also provides download capabilities, though it restricts downloading Shorts and music content.
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Reporting from
This article explains how to legally download YouTube videos using YouTube Premium, detailing the process and limitations of the feature. It clarifies that downloaded videos are only accessible within the YouTube application and cannot be used for external editing or transferred between devices.