How to Download YouTube Videos in 2026
Complete guide to saving YouTube videos in HD, 1080p, and 4K — Free, no app needed
YouTube is the world's largest video platform with billions of videos. Whether you need to save a tutorial for offline study, keep a music video for your collection, or archive important content, downloading YouTube videos is simple with the right tool.
In this guide, we'll show you how to download YouTube videos for free using SaveMyReel — the fastest and safest online YouTube downloader that works on any device.
Method 1: Using SaveMyReel (Recommended)
The easiest way to download YouTube videos is with SaveMyReel. It's free, requires no app, and works on iPhone, Android, and desktop.
Step 1: Copy the YouTube Video URL
Open YouTube and find the video you want to download. Copy the URL from your browser's address bar, or tap the Share button and select "Copy link".
Step 2: Paste into SaveMyReel
Open your browser and go to savemyreel.online. Select the YouTube tab and paste the copied URL into the input field.
Step 3: Choose Quality & Download
Click the Download button. SaveMyReel will process the video and offer you quality options — from 360p to 4K. Select your preferred quality and save the video to your device.
💡 Pro Tip:
SaveMyReel also supports YouTube Shorts! Just copy the Shorts URL and paste it like any regular YouTube link. Works identically.
What Types of YouTube Content Can You Download?
- Regular videos: Any public YouTube video in HD, 1080p, or 4K quality
- YouTube Shorts: Short-form vertical videos — download just like regular videos
- Music videos: Save music videos or extract audio for offline listening
- Tutorials & educational content: Perfect for offline study and reference
- Vlogs & entertainment: Keep your favorite content for offline viewing
Method 2: YouTube Premium (Paid)
YouTube offers an official download feature through YouTube Premium ($13.99/month). This lets you download videos within the YouTube app for offline viewing.
However, downloads are restricted to the YouTube app and expire after 30 days. You can't save them as MP4 files or transfer them to other devices. SaveMyReel gives you permanent MP4 downloads for free.
FAQ — Downloading YouTube Videos
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
Downloading YouTube videos for personal, offline viewing is generally acceptable for publicly available content. However, redistributing or using downloaded content commercially without permission violates copyright law. Always respect creators' rights.
Can I download YouTube videos on iPhone without an app?
Yes! SaveMyReel works directly in Safari or any iPhone browser. No app installation needed. Just copy the YouTube link, paste it, and download.
What quality options are available?
We offer 360p, 480p, 720p HD, 1080p Full HD, and 4K (when the original video supports it). You can also extract audio only.
Can I download YouTube Shorts?
Yes! YouTube Shorts are fully supported. Copy the Shorts URL and paste it into SaveMyReel — it works exactly like a regular YouTube video.
Ready to Download YouTube Videos?
Try SaveMyReel now — it's free, fast, and requires no registration.
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