How to download YouTube videos
- 1
Copy the link
Open the video on YouTube, tap Share under the player, then Copy link, or copy the browser address.
- 2
Paste it above
Paste the link in the box at the top of this page and press Download to see every video format.
- 3
Choose and save
Pick a quality and tap Download. The file saves straight to your phone or computer.
What you get
Formats and qualities
MP4 video with sound in every quality the video was uploaded in (up to 2160p), or the soundtrack alone as MP3 or M4A.
- MP4
- MP3
- M4A
- 2160p
YouTube streams video and audio separately, which is why many downloaders top out at 720p. FetchBolt fetches the best video stream and the best audio stream, then joins them into one MP4, so 1080p and 4K downloads keep their sound.
It works with regular videos, Shorts, live recordings once the stream has ended, and links shared from the YouTube app, including youtu.be short links and links with a timestamp.
Which quality should I pick?
1080p is the sweet spot and is marked Recommended; 720p halves the file size and still looks good on a phone. Every MP4 plays on iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac without extra apps.
Save it on any device
iPhone and iPad
- Paste the YouTube link in Safari or any browser.
- Tap Download next to the quality you want.
- In Files, tap the MP4, then Share and Save Video.
Android
- Paste the YouTube link in Chrome or any browser.
- Tap Download next to the quality you want.
- The MP4 lands in Downloads and shows up in your gallery.
Windows, Mac and Linux
- Copy the link from the address bar or the Share button.
- Paste it in the box at the top of this page.
- Click Download. The MP4 saves to Downloads.
Troubleshooting and safety
The download doesn’t work. What can I do?
Check that the video plays for everyone: private posts, age-restricted content and anything that needs you to sign in can’t be downloaded, and FetchBolt tells you if a video was removed or is region-locked. Copy the link with the app’s Share button and paste it on its own. If YouTube is limiting traffic for a moment, wait a minute and try again. Large files take longer to prepare, and the button shows the progress while they do.
Is FetchBolt safe to use?
FetchBolt runs in your browser: no app, no extension and no sign-up, and it never asks for your YouTube password. Files use temporary storage for preparation and delivery; hosting backups may retain copies. We don’t keep a download history. Our Privacy Policy explains cleanup and backups. The only buttons that download anything are the ones in the FetchBolt card, next to each quality.
Step-by-step guides
YouTube Video Downloader FAQ
Can I download YouTube videos in 4K?
Yes. If the video was uploaded in 4K (2160p), that option appears in the list. Large 4K files take longer to prepare because the video and audio are joined on our server first.
Does it work with private or members-only videos?
No. FetchBolt only reaches videos anyone can watch without signing in. Private, unlisted-with-restrictions, age-restricted and members-only videos are not supported.
Can I download a whole playlist?
Not yet. Paste the link of each video you want; a link to a video inside a playlist downloads just that video.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
It depends on the video and where you live. Download only videos you own, that are licensed for reuse (such as Creative Commons), or that you have permission to save, and respect YouTube’s terms.
Why is my download slower than the video’s length suggests?
For high qualities we download the separate video and audio streams and merge them before sending you the file. A 10-minute 1080p video usually takes under a minute.
Can I download YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Paste the youtube.com/shorts/ link as it is, or use the YouTube Shorts downloader page.
Does it work on iPhone?
Yes, in Safari or any browser. The MP4 saves to the Files app, and from there you can save it to Photos with Share, then Save Video.
Is FetchBolt free?
Yes. FetchBolt is free to use with no sign-up and no download limits for normal use. It’s supported by ads.
Do I need to install anything?
No. FetchBolt runs in your browser on iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac and Linux.
Do you keep the videos I download?
We store files temporarily to prepare and deliver downloads. Uncollected ready files expire after 10 minutes, while active transfers may continue longer. Hosting backups may retain copies after cleanup. We don’t keep a download history. See our Privacy Policy for details.
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