This article will show you how to watch a video from YouTube offline on a computer, phone or tablet. If you have a paid subscription to YouTube Premium, it's easy to download videos so you can watch them offline with the YouTube app. If not, you will need a converter like OnlineVideoConverter to convert the stream into a file that you can download.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using YouTube Premium for Android, iPhone or iPad
Step #1. Open YouTube on your phone or tablet
If you pay for a subscription to YouTube Premium (previously called YouTube Red), you can easily download videos for offline viewing. Start by opening YouTube. It's a red square icon with a white triangle inside it, and it's usually on your home screen (iPhone/iPad) or among your other apps (Android).
If you'd like to subscribe to YouTube Premium, tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the YouTube app, select "Use YouTube Premium," then follow the on-screen instructions
Step 2. Tap on the video you want to watch offline
The video will usually play automatically.
Step 3. Press the Download button
It's a gray circle with a down arrow on a white line just below the video.
Step 4. Tap on the desired video quality
The options may vary depending on the video.
If you'd like the app to save your selection for future downloads, check the box next to "Remember my settings."
Step 5. Press OK
This will start the download of the video with the selected size and quality. Once the video is downloaded, a blue and white checkmark will appear below it.
If you're using an iPhone or iPad, the download will begin until you stop viewing the version currently streaming
Step 6. Go to your Library to watch a video when you are offline
Once you are no longer connected to the internet, it is not difficult to watch the video. Simply tap the "Library" tab in the lower right corner of YouTube, then tap the video.
Method 2 of 4: Using OnlineVideoConverter on a computer
Step 1. Go to a video you want to watch offline
Click the name of a video on YouTube.com that you want to download.
Step 2. Copy the URL of the YouTube video
Highlight the full URL and then press Ctrl+C (PC) or ⌘ Command+C to copy it to your clipboard.
Step 3. Go to the Online Video Converter YouTube converter
This is a free website that converts YouTube videos into downloadable files.
Step 4. Right click on the 'Paste link here' field at the top of the page
A menu will be expanded.
Step 5. Click Paste
The copied URL will now appear in the field.
Step 6. Select a video format from the 'Format' menu
This is just below the field you filled in with the pasted URL. Select the desired video format from the 'Video' menu on the right of the list. Most modern video players support all of these formats.
Step 7. Click Start
This is an orange button below the menu. An animation 'Preparing your conversion' will appear. Once the conversion is complete, a 'Download' link will appear.
If you get an error message, it's usually because your browser's plugin (such as an ad-blocker or other privacy-enhancing tool) is preventing the website from functioning properly. Disable all plugins that block parts of websites, reload the page and try again
Step 8. Click Download
This is a blue button at the top of the page. This will open the "Save As" dialog box on your computer.
Step 9. Click Save to download the video
The converted YouTube video will be downloaded to your computer. Once the download is complete, you can watch the video by double clicking on the file name.
Method 3 of 4: Using OnlineVideoConverter on an iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Download Documents by Readle from the App Store
This is a free app that allows you to easily download files (such as the videos you converted) and view them on your iPhone or iPad. Although you can visit the converter site through the normal Safari app, you will want Documents to complete the download so that you can easily find and view the video file. To download Documents:
- Open the 'App Store'
Iphoneappstoreicon - Tap "Search" in the bottom right corner.
- Type documents and press Search.
- Scroll down and press 'Documents by Readle' (the app with a gray 'D' and one multicolored corner).
- Press 'Download'.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the app. Once the installation is complete, you can close the App Store.
Step 2. Open YouTube on your iPhone or iPad
It's a white icon with a red rectangle with a white triangle inside, and it's usually on your home screen.
Step 3. Open the video you wish to download to watch later
Tap the name of the video to open it now. Usually the video will play automatically.
Step #4. Press Share
This is a curved gray arrow below the video.
Step 5. Press Copy Link
This is the round gray icon with two overlapping quadrilaterals inside. This will copy the URL to your clipboard.
Step 6. Open Documents
This is the white icon with a gray D inside and it should be on one of your home screens.
If this is your first time using Documents, you'll need to swipe through the introduction until it's complete
Step 7. Tap the blue compass icon in the lower right corner of Documents
This will open Documents' built-in browser.
Step 8. Go to
Type or paste the URL into the blank field at the top of the screen, then press the 'Go' button to open the site.
Step 9. Press and hold the empty 'Paste link here' field
Two options will appear.
Step 10. Press Paste
This will paste the copied URL onto the field.
The video will be downloaded by default as an.mp4 file, which can be played on your iPhone or iPad without any problem. If you want to change the format, choose your desired format in the 'Format' menu
Step 11. Press START
This is an orange button. Online Video Converter will now convert the YouTube video to a downloadable file. Once the conversion is complete, you will be redirected to a download page.
Step 12. Press DOWNLOAD
This is the first blue button below the preview. This will open the "Save File" dialog box.
By default, the file in the Documents app will be saved in the Downloads folder. Do not change this location – this way you will be able to watch the video without restrictions
Step 13. Tap Done at the top right corner of the screen
The file will now be downloaded to your iPhone or iPad.
- Once the download is complete, a red number will appear on the Downloads icon (the down arrow with a line at the bottom of the screen).
- At this point you may be asked to enable notifications for this app. Tap 'Allow' if you want to receive notifications when downloads are complete (and other events in Documents) or press 'Disallow' if you don't want to receive notifications at all.
Step 14. Tap the Downloads icon
This is the down arrow with a red number at the bottom of the screen. A list will appear of files you downloaded using Documents, including the video you just downloaded.
Step 15. Tap the video when you want to watch it
The video will open in the video player of your iPhone or iPad.
To watch the video later, you need to open 'Documents', press the 'Downloads' folder and then press the video file
Method 4 of 4: Using OnlineVideoConverter on an Android
Step #1. Open YouTube on your Android
This is a red rectangle with a sideways white triangle inside. This is usually on your home screen or among your other apps.
Step 2. Open the video you wish to download to watch later
Tap on a video's name to open it now. Usually the video will play automatically.
Step #3. Hit Share
This is the curved arrow below the video.
Step #4. Press Copy Link
This is a round gray icon with two overlapping squares inside. This will copy the URL to your clipboard.
Step 5. Open a browser
You can use Chrome, Samsung Internet or any other browser.
Step 6. Go to
Type or paste URL in the empty field at the top of the screen and then press 'Enter' to open the site.
Step 7. Press and hold the blank 'Paste link here' field
Some options will appear.
Step 8. Press Paste
This will paste the URL into the field.
The video file will be downloaded as an.mp4 file by default, so you will be able to play the video on your Android without any problems. If you wish to change the format, you must choose the desired format in the 'Format' menu
Step 9. Press START
This is the orange button. Online Video Converter will now convert the YouTube video to a downloadable file. Once the conversion is complete you will be redirected to a download page.
If any ads or notification requests appear, please close them to continue
Step 10. Press DOWNLOAD
This is the first blue button below the preview.
Step 11. Follow the on-screen instructions to save the file
The remaining steps depend on your Android, but often you'll be presented with a "File Download" window that gives you a chance to select a download location. Select the Downloads folder if it was not already selected and follow the on-screen instructions to save the file.
You may need to grant the app permission to save files to the device before the 'File Download' window appears
Step 12. Watch the video when you are offline
When it's time to watch the video, you'll need to open the "Downloads" folder on your Android - it's usually located between your apps - then tap the video to open it.