YouTube shorts have rocketed in popularity as bite-sized, engaging videos that people love to scroll through. From a short recipe to a hilarious skit to a deep tip, Shorts have value within 60 seconds. What if you want to watch it later or offline? That is where getting YouTube Shorts comes in. In this article, we will talk you through everything you need to know about downloading Shorts. All this with safety, ease, and legality.
What Are YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts are vertical and are of short form (less than 60 seconds) as they are expedient in use. Rather than TikTok or Instagram Reels, they are aimed at people seeking quick entertainment. This can be recorded, edited, and then uploaded by creators through their mobile devices using the YouTube app, while viewers can keep on scrolling videos through the dedicated Shorts feed.
As their popularity increases, we are all getting Shorts that we’d want to watch again or share from the internet later on, offline. Unluckily, YouTube does not provide a direct download facility for Shorts like the way it does for some videos in the YouTube Premium plan. Then third-party answers come in.
Why Download YouTube Shorts?
We’ve all had those moments: accidental discovery of the motivational clip you wish to watch each morning or the life hack that should be saved for good at all times.
- Watch content offline, especially during travel or network outages
- Store clips on educational or inspirational matters for later viewing
- Share the videos with friends who do not have access to YouTube.
- Archive content before being deleted or removed
It is important, though, to know that there are implications and responsibilities to downloading content.
Is It Legal to Download YouTube Shorts?
Before we start with how to download, we will have to stop over on the legal point. YouTube terms and conditions do not allow downloads of content unless you have explicitly granted permission to do so or if you’re using YouTube Premium or the app’s built-in download feature specifically for certain content.
That notwithstanding, many creators permit the sharing and downloading of their works -especially when it is used for personal purposes, education, or with reference to fair use policies. Always show respect towards the rights of content creators, and do not re-upload or make money out of the downloaded videos without proper permissions.
How to Download YouTube Shorts on Mobile
There are several methods to download YouTube Shorts to your smartphone. Here’s what we recommend:
1. Using Online Downloader Websites
Many websites allow you to paste the Shorts URL and download the video. Popular ones include:
- Y2Mate
- SaveFrom.net
- SSYouTube
Steps:
- Open the YouTube app and locate the Short you want to download.
- Tap “Share” and hit copy to copy the link.
- Enter your browser and find your way to a Shorts downloader website.
- Paste the link and select your favorite video resolution.
- Click on the “Download” and download it to your device.
2. Third-Party Mobile Apps
There are separate apps in Android, such as “Snaptube” or VidMate” that have capabilities to download YouTube shorts. These apps may not be available in the Google Play Store because of its policies; therefore, you’ll have to download them from their respective official sites.
Caution: Always treat third-party apps with caution. Download from reliable sources and do not give useless permissions.
How to Download YouTube Shorts on a Desktop
However, downloading on the desktop is even easier because of the many browser tools and extensions that are available.
1. Online Downloaders (Again!)
Just like on mobile, you can use sites like:
- Y2Mate
- KeepVid
- 10Downloader
Steps:
- Open YouTube in your browser.
- Locate the URL of the Shorts video.
- Copy the link and paste it into the online downloader.
- Select a format of choice (MP4 being the standard).
- Download it to your computer.
2. Browser Extensions
Chrome and Firefox extensions such as “Video DownloadHelper” can detect and download YouTube videos (including Shorts) embedded in the web pages.
Note: These tools may need a companion app for some of the formats.
3. Developer Tools (Advanced)
However, for tech-savvy users, it may be possible, in some cases, to extract video files using browser developer tools. This approach is not something that is recommended for use on an everyday basis, but it is possible for people who know what they are doing.
Tips for a Smooth YouTube Shorts Download Experience
During our consideration of the options, here are some tips that can make your experience safer and more efficient:
- Keep ad-blockers on while visiting third-party download sites so that you do not get disturbed by pop-ups.
- Scan download files with antivirus software.
- Do not log in or give personal information on unofficial apps or websites.
- Downloads are for personal use, and no reposting is allowed without credit.
Final Thoughts
We are aware of how important it is to save your favorite content for offline purposes. It could be for entertainment purposes while aboard a long flight or revisiting a special moment. Downloading YouTube Shorts can be very helpful. Although YouTube does not, in fact, provide alternative means of easily directly downloading Shorts (unless you are one of them Premium users), you can still find a lot of reliable and effective ways of getting it done in the mobile and desktop environments.
As usual, we encourage all users to respect creators and put downloaded content to good use. If we all follow this rather simple principle, the digital world becomes a more moral and cozier place for all of us.
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