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Download YouTube videos on iPhone

Safari can do this on its own. The file lands in the Files app, under Downloads.

By using this site you confirm you have the right to download the file you request.

How it works

  1. 1

    Copy the link

    In the YouTube app, tap Share then Copy link.

  2. 2

    Paste it above

    Safari will ask once whether to allow pasting. Allow it, or paste by hand.

  3. 3

    Confirm the download

    Safari asks before saving. Tap Download, then find it in Files.

Where iOS puts it

Safari saves to Files → On My iPhone → Downloads. There is a downloads arrow next to the address bar while one is in progress, and tapping it takes you straight there.

You can change the destination in Settings → Apps → Safari → Downloads, including to iCloud Drive if you would rather the file followed you to other devices.

Getting a video into Photos

A video saved by Safari sits in Files, not in your camera roll. To move it: open it in Files, tap the share button, and choose Save Video. It then appears in Photos like anything you filmed.

An MP3 cannot go to Photos — it is not a photo or a video. It stays in Files, where the Music app and any third-party player can open it.

What iOS will not allow

Safari will not save a file in the background: leave the page or lock the phone mid-download and it stops. Keep the tab open until it finishes.

iOS also refuses some downloads when storage is nearly full, without a clear message about why. If a download that used to work has started failing, free some space and retry before assuming the site is broken.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an app from the App Store?

No. Safari handles the download by itself.

Why can I not find the file?

It is in the Files app under Downloads, not in Photos. A video can be moved to Photos with Save Video from the share sheet.

Why did Safari ask about pasting?

iOS asks before any site reads your clipboard. Allowing it only affects the paste you just requested.

Does this work in Chrome on iPhone?

Yes. Every browser on iOS uses the same engine underneath, so the behaviour is the same.

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