No introduction needed, you know that YouTube is currently the most popular video platform, where you can find all kinds of videos you want to watch, such as music, fitness, travel, cooking and so on.

Actually, I am a fitness enthusiast, and I often follow Pamela Reif's videos on YouTube to exercise, but most of the time I am downstairs, where there is no Wi-Fi, and my mobile data is insufficient, so I decided to download videos from YouTube.

how to download a video from youtube

Therefore, in this article, I will introduce you to how to download YouTube videos on different devices, all of which are methods that I have personally tested and found to be effective.

Can You Download a Video from YouTube App or Website?

Whether you're using Windows or Mac, the YouTube app provides a Download button — but downloading videos through the official app or website comes with several limitations.

1. Quality Limit

When you click download button, you can only download "Standard (480p)" or "Low (144p)", if you want to download a video from YouTube with high quality, you must subscribe Pemium plan.

how to download a video from youtube: limitations of youtube

2. Time Limit

The videos you download from YouTube can only be kept on your devices for up to 29 days, it means you need to download again if you want to watch them after 29 days.

3. Type Limit

You can only download a video from YouTube like original type, short videos cannot be downloaded, regardless of whether you are a Premium plan subscriber or not.

4. Playback Limit

You can only watch them on the official app because the videos have DRM protection, you can't find the videos in the local folder, so it means you cannot send them to other devices for viewing, if you are accustomed to watching Pamela's fitness videos on your iPad, you will need to download them separately on your iPad.

So, do you want to bypass these restrictions and download your favorite YouTube videos? Next, I’ll introduce a professional tool — StreamFab YouTube Downloader. It allows you to download a video from YouTube without a Premium subscription and also offers a free trial.

how to download a video from youtube: streamfab

Download online videos from YouTube, Multitasks and playlist downloads are also supported.

Why Choose StreamFab YouTube Downloader?

1. Supports Multiple Formats

StreamFab YouTube Downloader supports downloading videos in MP4 or MKV format, and can also save the audio from videos separately in MP3 format. This multi-format support ensures that downloaded content can be played smoothly on various devices and players, improving compatibility and flexibility of use.

2. High Quality Download Experience

This tool can download YouTube videos in 4K resolution, some videos can even reach 8K and audio files with a bit rate of up to 320 kbps, ensuring that users can still enjoy content with near-original clarity and sound quality when playing locally, meeting the needs of users who require high-definition video and high-fidelity audio.

3. Multiple Video Encoding Options

During the download process, users can choose different video encoding methods according to their needs, such as H.264, VP9, and AV1. This flexible encoding support allows users to make the best choice between image quality, file size, and compatibility.

4. Supports HDR and VR 360° videos

In addition to standard formats, this downloader also supports downloading HDR videos and 360-degree virtual reality videos from YouTube, providing a more immersive and realistic visual experience, especially suitable for users with HDR display devices or VR devices.

5. Supports Bulk Download and Auto Download

StreamFab supports downloading multiple videos at the same time, which can improve download efficiency if you want to download an entire playlist, it is one of the TOP 10 best YouTube playlist downloader. It can also automatically identify and download new content from subscribed channels, eliminating the hassle of manual searching. You can also set up scheduled tasks to automatically complete downloads during idle times, making it more efficient and convenient to use.

How to Download a Video from YouTube by StreamFab?

Step 1
Download and Install StreamFab on the official website, please according to your device's system, because there are different versions for Windows and macOS.
  Free Download
  100% Safe & Clean
  Free Download
  100% Safe & Clean
Step 2
Launch the software, click "YouTube" on the left list, if you are logged into your YouTube account in your browser, StreamFab can automatically detect your login status when you click the icon, eliminating the need to re-enter your account password, which is very convenient.
how to download a video from youtube: step 2 of streamfab
Step 3
Search the videos you want to download from YouTube, play it, you can see a Download icon on the right bottom corner, click it.
how to download a video from youtube: step 3 of streamfab
Step 4
After StreamFab quickly analyzes your video, a pop-up window will appear allowing you to set the format, such as resolution, audio, or video, etc. After this, you can click the "Download Now" button on the right bottom corner, and the videos will start to download.
how to download a video from youtube: step 4 of streamfab

The above is a detailed introduction to StreamFab. If you want to learn more information, please refer to the official StreamFab YouTube Downloader website.

FAQs

1. Can I Download Audio from YouTube Video?

The official version does not support this, but you can use StreamFab. The steps are the same as download a video from YouTube. Please refer to the steps described in the article, but when setting the format in the pop-up window, set the “Download as” option to “Audio” to obtain the audio from the YouTube video.

2. What Types of YouTube Videos Can I Download?

The YouTube official app allows downloading only select standard videos and comes with restrictions on video format, resolution, and how long the files can be stored. If you want to download Shorts, or need higher quality, more format options, and long-term local storage, StreamFab is a better solution, or you can refer the best YouTube Shorts Downloader.

Conclusion

If you want to download your favorite YouTube videos — whether it's fitness tutorials, daily vlogs, trending Shorts, or full playlists from subscribed channels — the methods above can help you get started on Mac or Windows. However, if you're looking for a more powerful and flexible solution that offers high-quality downloads, batch processing, auto tasks, ad removal, and support for various formats including audio, then StreamFab YouTube Downloader is definitely worth trying. With just a few clicks, you can enjoy an uninterrupted offline viewing experience anytime, anywhere.