Safe and Easy Ways to Download YouTube Short Videos
YouTube Shorts have become an integral part of everyday life. Whether you need entertainment, quick tips, or inspiration to do something, there’s something for you on the YouTube feature.
But, Shorts are designed for fast scrolling. You may come across a great video and never see it again — unless you download it.
The problem is, Shorts don’t come with obvious download options. But just because they’re not obvious doesn’t mean they’re not there.
This guide breaks down some common ways to download YouTube Shorts. It also looks at the key factors to consider when downloading these videos to ensure high quality, safety, and compliance.
Why People Download YouTube Shorts
YouTube users download Shorts for many reasons, including:
- Content repurposing: Some creators download their own content to reuse on other short-form video platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram Reels. This is more so the case when the videos perform well on YouTube.
- Offline access: People on the go and those in areas with poor internet connectivity save videos to their devices for seamless access.
- Inspiration: Some creators create “mood boards” featuring their favorite Shorts to help spark ideas or shape their content style.
- Educational use: Students and DIY enthusiasts save Shorts with quick instructions and tutorials, for easy reference.
- Content sharing: Some people download videos to share with friends or audiences in areas with restricted YouTube access.
How Can Viewers Download YouTube Shorts?
Unfortunately, YouTube doesn’t offer a direct download option for Shorts, it’s only available for YouTube videos. That said, there are a couple of ways to get Short videos on your device.
The first is via downloader sites such as YtShortsDL, SaveTube, and SaveFrom. They’re popular because they download videos to your gallery without requiring software installation. However, you’ll have to deal with more than a few ads and pop-ups. Further, some may stop working after YouTube updates its system.
To save Shorts to your gallery with online downloaders:
- Find the video you want to download on YouTube.
- Copy its link: tap the Share button and then Copy Link.
- Open your chosen online downloader, paste the link into the designated URL field, and tap the “Download” or “Get Video” button (varies depending on your downloader).
Some downloaders, like SaveTube, allow you to choose your preferred video quality. Pick what works best for you. For example, if you’re more concerned about video quality than data usage, download your video in 1080p. However, if you have data usage or storage concerns, choose a lower resolution, such as 720p.
Viewers can also get YouTube Shorts via screen recording. To use this method, open the Short you want to download, access your phone’s built-in screen recording feature, start recording, and play the video.
However, while screen recording is easy, it doesn’t produce the best video quality. Further, UI elements and your device’s notifications may appear in your recording.
Read also:
Can Creators Download Their Own Shorts?
Yes. YouTube provides a built-in download feature for content creators. To get a Shorts video from your page:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Go to the Content section on the left-hand menu.
- Tap Shorts.
- Navigate to the specific video you want to download.
- Click on the three-dot menu next to it.
- Tap Download.
You can also download via the YouTube app: open your channel, go to the Shorts section, and find the specific video you want. Then, tap the three dots next to it and select Save to device.
Note: YouTube downloads include watermarks.
Factors to Consider When Downloading YouTube Shorts
As you’ve seen, downloading YouTube Shorts is easy. However, there are several factors to consider before clicking the “download” button to avoid compliance and quality issues. These include:
Copyright
This is a key consideration if you plan to repurpose downloaded Shorts.
In most cases, the original uploader of a Short holds its rights. So, you can download and repurpose your own videos however you want without getting into trouble.
Downloading videos that you don’t own is a whole other story. Sure, you can use them for personal purposes, such as educational reference, without violating copyrights. However, repurposing them or attempting to post them as your own on YouTube can lead to copyright claims, account penalties, and reputational damage.
If you want to reuse downloaded Shorts publicly, be sure to get explicit permission from their owners. Also, provide due credit by tagging their accounts.
Video Download Quality
The truth is, not all download methods preserve video quality. Some online downloaders may compress Shorts for easier downloads, resulting in blurred visuals or, worse, audio and video inconsistencies. This not only affects the viewing experience but also limits how you can use downloaded videos. For example, you can’t re-upload them to other platforms.
For positive experiences, use download options that preserve the original video quality. If you’re a creator, your best option is to download Shorts from YouTube Studio or the YouTube app.
If you’re a viewer, choose downloaders that let you select your video quality.
Watermarks
Most third-party downloaders remove YouTube’s watermarks, making it easy to share content across platforms.
However, downloads from YouTube and YouTube Studio retain their watermarks. This isn’t a problem when downloading videos for personal use, but it can be incredibly limiting if you intend to repurpose them. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram deprioritize watermarked content, so you may not get as much visibility as you want.
To avoid this, use tools such as Vmake and Media.io to remove the watermarks before re-uploading content. Alternatively, download Shorts using third-party tools. You may have to deal with a few ads and pop-ups, but it’s a small price to pay for watermark-free downloads.
Read also: Need Clean TikTok Videos? Use TikTok Watermark Removers
Device Storage
Shorts are pretty small. So, downloading a few won’t take up much space on your device.
However, bulk downloads, especially at high resolutions, can quickly add up. If you plan to download multiple videos at once, ensure you have sufficient free storage to avoid interruptions.
What Is YouTube’s Stance on Downloading Shorts?
YouTube does not support Short video downloads for viewers. This is why you won’t find a “download” button on Shorts.
It does, however, allow creators to download their own Shorts content, with a caveat: the videos include YouTube watermarks. To avoid the hassle of getting them removed, keep your original files backed up on your device.
Best Practices for Downloading YouTube Shorts
There’s more to downloading YouTube Shorts than just saving files to your device. You also need to preserve video quality and reduce your risk (when planning to reuse downloaded content). To do this, keep the following best practices in mind:
- Choose the MP4 format: MP4 is well-suited for video downloads because it’s universally supported across devices. Further, it experiences minimal quality loss during compression. YouTube downloads typically default to MP4. However, this isn’t the case for all third-party apps. So, be on the lookout.
- Go for high resolution: Choose 720p or higher to maintain visual clarity. While lower resolutions like 420p may be clear enough for mobile devices, they often appear choppy on larger screens, which can affect the viewing experience.
- Check audio sync: Confirm your visuals and audio match before sharing or repurposing downloaded videos.
- Test before bulk downloading: Download a few files with your chosen tool to verify their clarity, format compatibility, and audio sync. If they don’t meet your expectations, try different downloaders until you find the right fit.
- Organize your files: Prevent lost files, confusion, and duplication by organizing videos immediately after download. For seamless management, categorize them by their content, purpose, or account (if you download videos from multiple accounts).
- Don’t grant unnecessary permissions: Avoid tools that request permissions they don’t need, such as notifications and contacts.
- Respect creators’ copyrights: Only download Shorts for personal use, like inspiration or reference. If you plan to re-upload or publicly repurpose content, get permissions from the original creators.
- Use official tools (where possible): If you’re a creator, download your own videos via the YouTube app or YouTube Studio. Use third-party solutions as backups, not as your go-to options.
YouTube Shorts Downloads Made Easy
YouTube doesn’t offer a direct way for viewers to download Shorts for offline viewing or sharing. However, there are numerous tools that can help you bypass this restriction. Test different options by downloading a few files and checking their quality to find the best fit.
If you’re a content creator and want to download your own Shorts, use YouTube Studio or the YouTube app. These solutions preserve video and audio quality, making it easier to re-edit or reuse content. If the downloaded video still includes a watermark, you can use third-party tools to remove it.
GeeLark can help you reuse or repurpose downloaded Shorts by automating publishing across accounts and platforms. Whether you want to upload content to other Shorts accounts or platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the tool has you covered.
What’s more, you never have to worry about platforms linking multiple accounts. GeeLark’s antidetect browsers and cloud phones have unique fingerprints and support different proxy settings, making it appear as if each account belongs to a different user.
