In today's digital age, many people enjoy watching YouTube videos online. However, in some cases, you may want to download these videos to your local device for offline viewing or editing. Fortunately, there are several ways for you to download YouTube videos to MP4 format for free without using any paid software. Here are some easy-to-use methods:
First of all, we need to understand that not all YouTube videos are free to download. It depends on whether the video uploader allows downloading. If downloading is available, a download button will usually appear below the video. But even without this option, you can still achieve this in other ways.
Use online conversion tools
An easy and quick way is to use an online video conversion tool. Tools like these allow users to upload video links and then convert them into the format you need. One of the very popular and easy-to-use tools is Videoder.
Videoder tutorial:
1. Visit Videoder official website.
2. Find and click the "Download Now" button on the homepage and select the appropriate version according to your device.
3. After the installation is complete, open the application.
4. Copy the link of the YouTube video you want to download.
5. Paste the link into Videoder’s search box and click to start downloading.
6. Select your desired output format (usually MP4) and click "Download".
Use browser extensions
Another method is to install a browser extension like Video DownloadHelper. This method is equally simple and suitable for mainstream browsers such as Firefox and Chrome.
Video DownloadHelper tutorial:
1. Visit the official website of Video DownloadHelper.
2. Click "Add to Firefox" or "Add to Chrome" and select the appropriate extension according to your browser.
3. After the installation is complete, restart the browser.
4. Open the YouTube video page you want to download.
5. While the video is playing, you will see a small icon appear in the upper right corner of the browser.
6. Click the icon, select your desired video quality from the pop-up menu, and start downloading.
7. After the download is completed, the video will be automatically saved to the folder you set.
Things to note
Before trying any of the above methods, make sure to comply with copyright laws and related regulations. Unauthorized downloading of copyrighted content may result in legal issues. In addition, pay attention to security when using third-party tools and avoid downloading software with malware.
Through the above steps, you can easily download YouTube videos to MP4 format, making it easier to manage your video materials. Whether for learning, entertainment or creation, this ability can bring you great convenience.