This article explains how to save YouTube videos to your camera roll. Instructions apply to iOS and Android devices.

What to Know

  • iOS: Install Documents by Readdle. Go to Y2Mate, enter YouTube video address, and tap Download video.
  • Android: In Chrome, go to Y2Mate, enter YouTube video address, and tap Download video.
  • After downloading video to camera roll, you may edit, share, or upload it to another website or app.

How to Save YouTube Videos to Camera Roll on iOS

To save YouTube videos to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch’s Camera Roll for offline viewing, you must install Documents by Readdle. This app features a built-in web browser capable of saving video files to your device, something regular iOS web browser apps can’t do.

  • Download, install, and open Documents by Readdle.
  • In the lower-right corner of the screen, tap the compass icon.
  • Go to Y2Mate and tap Go. This will open Y2Mate in the app.
  • In the search bar of Y2Mate, enter the address or target phrase/word of the YouTube video you want to save, then tap the red arrow. Search results might appear as you type.
  • Under the video you want to download, tap the green Download video button.
  • In the the lower-right of the Documents by Readdle app, select the tab icon to find and select the tab that was just opened.
  • You must do this from within the Documents by Readdle app. Do not exit the app at any time during this process.
  • In this second browser window, scroll down until you see green Download buttons and a list of video resolutions in a chart. Once you’ve decided which resolution you want, tap Download video to the right of it.
  • Use only these green download buttons. Any other link or graphic that says “Download” on this page is likely an ad trying to trick you. Interacting with these ads could install malware on your device or cause your personal information to be stolen.
  • Tap Download .mp4 from the pop-up window, and name the file. You can pick a different download location here, too.
  • Tap Done at the top to start downloading the YouTube video.
  • Tap the folder icon in the lower-left corner.
  • Tap Downloads.
  • You should see your downloaded video. If it’s finished downloading, tap the three small dots underneath it.
  • Tap Copy.
  • Tap Photos. You will be asked to give Documents by Readdle access to your device’s Photos. Approve this access.
  • Tap Copy. Your video will now be available within the iOS Photos app on your device.

How to Save YouTube Videos to Your Camera Roll on Android

To download YouTube videos on your Android device, you don’t need to install any additional apps.

Download, install, and open Documents by Readdle.

In the lower-right corner of the screen, tap the compass icon.

Go to Y2Mate and tap Go. This will open Y2Mate in the app.

In the search bar of Y2Mate, enter the address or target phrase/word of the YouTube video you want to save, then tap the red arrow. Search results might appear as you type.

Under the video you want to download, tap the green Download video button.

In the the lower-right of the Documents by Readdle app, select the tab icon to find and select the tab that was just opened.

You must do this from within the Documents by Readdle app. Do not exit the app at any time during this process.

In this second browser window, scroll down until you see green Download buttons and a list of video resolutions in a chart. Once you’ve decided which resolution you want, tap Download video to the right of it.

Use only these green download buttons. Any other link or graphic that says “Download” on this page is likely an ad trying to trick you. Interacting with these ads could install malware on your device or cause your personal information to be stolen.

Tap Download .mp4 from the pop-up window, and name the file. You can pick a different download location here, too.

Tap Done at the top to start downloading the YouTube video.

Tap the folder icon in the lower-left corner.

Tap Downloads.

You should see your downloaded video. If it’s finished downloading, tap the three small dots underneath it.

Tap Copy.

Tap Photos. You will be asked to give Documents by Readdle access to your device’s Photos. Approve this access.

Tap Copy. Your video will now be available within the iOS Photos app on your device.

  • Open the Google Chrome web browser on your Android device.
  • Go to Y2Mate.
  • In the search bar on this website, search for the YouTube video you want to download. As you type, search results should automatically appear under the search bar.
  • When you see the video you want to download, tap the green Download video button underneath it.
  • A new browser tab will open with the embedded YouTube video and several download options below it for different resolution sizes. In general, the higher the resolution number is, the better the image quality is and the larger the file size will be.
  • Tap the green Download button next to the version you want to download.
  • Tap Download .mp4. The video will now save to your device.
  • To locate your file, open the Files app.
  • Tap Downloads. You should see your video in this folder. You can now share it on social media, email it to a friend, or watch it whenever you’re offline.

Why You Should Save YouTube Videos to Your Camera Roll

There are several benefits to downloading YouTube videos to your iOS or Android device:

Open the Google Chrome web browser on your Android device.

Go to Y2Mate.

In the search bar on this website, search for the YouTube video you want to download. As you type, search results should automatically appear under the search bar.

When you see the video you want to download, tap the green Download video button underneath it.

A new browser tab will open with the embedded YouTube video and several download options below it for different resolution sizes. In general, the higher the resolution number is, the better the image quality is and the larger the file size will be.

Tap the green Download button next to the version you want to download.

Tap Download .mp4. The video will now save to your device.

To locate your file, open the Files app.

Tap Downloads. You should see your video in this folder. You can now share it on social media, email it to a friend, or watch it whenever you’re offline.

  • You can watch the videos when you’re offline. This is great when traveling.
  • You won’t see advertisements when watching the video.
  • You can easily send the video to others via email or an app.
  • You can edit the downloaded video to create short clips of certain shots or scenes.

Why You Shouldn’t Download YouTube Videos to the Camera Roll

Consider these things before downloading a YouTube video:

  • Many YouTube videos are protected by copyright and are illegal to download. Check the copyright status of a video in its description on YouTube.
  • When you download a video, you won’t see any advertising, so none of your views will financially support the video’s creator.
  • If you’re planning to upload a downloaded YouTube video to another website, keep in mind this is often frowned upon and could result in the cancellation of your membership on that particular site.

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