How to download YouTube videos on iPhone (no app)

Downloading YouTube videos on iPhone is one of those things that seems impossible but is actually trivial. You do NOT need YouTube Premium, you do NOT need App Store apps, and you do NOT need jailbreak. Just Safari and YTSavr.

The YouTube-on-iPhone problem

YouTube has its own "download" option inside the app, but it has several issues:

• Requires YouTube Premium (monthly paid subscription)
• The video only plays inside the YouTube app
• You can't share, edit, or use it outside YouTube
• If you cancel Premium, you lose access to everything downloaded
• There's a cap on how many videos you can have downloaded

With YTSavr, you get a real MP4 file on your iPhone, to use however you want.

Step by step on iPhone

1. Copy the YouTube link

Two ways:

From the YouTube app

1. Open the video in the YouTube app
2. Tap the Share button (the arrow)
3. Choose Copy link

From Safari

If you're already watching the video in Safari, just copy the URL from the address bar.

2. Open YTSavr in Safari

Go to ytsavr.com in Safari. Paste the link (long-press the field and pick Paste) and tap Search video.

In 2-4 seconds you'll see the thumbnail, title, and quality options.

3. Pick the quality

• 1080p Full HD: max available quality
• 720p HD: smaller file, excellent quality for iPhone
• 480p SD: if you're low on space
• Audio MP3: audio only

If you'll watch on your iPhone, 720p is perfect: looks just as good as 1080p on the iPhone screen but weighs half.

4. Download

Tap Download. Safari shows a download bar at the top and starts pulling the file.

5. Save to Photos

1. Open the iOS Files app
2. Tap Downloads
3. Find the downloaded file
4. Tap it to open
5. Tap Share (square with up arrow)
6. Choose Save Video

Done. Now you have the YouTube video in your Camera Roll, just like any video you filmed with the camera.

Shortcut: YTSavr as an app on your iPhone

If you'll download from YouTube often, add YTSavr to your home screen:

1. Open ytsavr.com in Safari
2. Tap the Share button
3. Scroll and select Add to Home Screen
4. Confirm the name and tap Add

Now you have a YTSavr icon on your home like any app. Opens straight and saves you many steps.

How to download audio (MP3) on iPhone

To extract just the audio:

1. Copy the YouTube link
2. Paste it in YTSavr
3. Pick Audio MP3 instead of a video format
4. Download

The MP3 saves to Files → Downloads. To listen:

• Tap the file in Files to play directly
• Or import to a music app
• Or convert to ringtone with GarageBand (free)

Common problems

"Safari says it can't download"

Make sure your iOS is iOS 13 or newer. Older versions don't support direct downloads in Safari.

"The video appears as audio in Files"

Sometimes the icon looks generic. Tap the file to open it — you'll see it's video. iOS just didn't show the preview.

"The download cancels midway"

Usually unstable connection. Get on stable WiFi and retry.

"I don't have space to download"

iOS warns you when there's no space. Free up space by deleting apps, photos, or videos before downloading. For long 1080p videos, make sure to have at least 2-3 GB free.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't the YouTube app let me download?

Official YouTube downloads require YouTube Premium (paid subscription) and videos can only play inside the app — they don't leave the ecosystem. YTSavr gives you the unrestricted MP4.

Does it work on iOS 15, 16, 17, 18?

Yes. YTSavr works on any iOS with modern Safari (iOS 13 and up).

Do I need to enable anything special on iPhone?

No. Just open Safari. If you want to confirm where downloads save, check Settings → Safari → Downloads.

Does it work on iPad?

Yes, just like iPhone. Safari and Files on iPad work identically.