Forum Discussion
How to download youtube playlist videos on Windows or Mac?
Most of the online video downloaders don't support downloading youtube playlist. I am learning Python programming language and want to download the videos for offline viewing. Does anyone know a way to safely download youtube playlist videos for Windows PC or Mac?
P.S. I already got the permission of the authors and I will only use the videos for my own learning. I hope download the playlist videos in 1080P.
If you know how to do this, pls kindly let me know.
Thanks
7 Replies
- JosephKimIron Contributor
I highly recommend using the AllClipDown, the all-in-one video downloader that supports downloading videos from youtube playlist and more than 100 video sites.
Playlist download guide: https://www.fastdowns.com/download-youtube-playlist-videos
- EmmaJohnsonIron Contributor
Using the built-in Microsoft Edge browser for Windows with the completely free and unpaid Video Downloader Professional extension, you can access your YouTube playlists through Edge and batch download the videos or audios directly from them without any additional conversions, which is easy to download youtube playlist and complies with the built-in tools.
First, open Edge browser, then install Video Downloader Professional, tap Get > Add Extension, wait for the installation to complete, the extension icon appears in the Edge toolbar.
Then we can open YouTube, find the target playlist and copy the URL.
Next, open the youtube playlist page, click the extension icon, the extension automatically detects the videos in the playlist, displays the video list, select the format you need, set the quality, check the desired video, tap Download All, choose the save path.
The download progress will be displayed in the extension window in real time, the playlist videos will be downloaded in order, and when the download is completed, it will be automatically saved to the path specified by the user.
- SamuelSamsonIron Contributor
I have had similar needs, especially when learning Python, a bad network really affects efficiency. Here are a few reliable methods for downloading youtube playlists that do not rely on third-party tools. They are proven to work:
Method 1: Use the yt--dlp command line tool (recommended)
Although you said that you don't need third-party tools, yt--dlp is an open source command line tool, not the kind of "third party" that installs software, so I think it can barely be counted as a system operation~Install Python (macOS can use Homebrew, Windows can go to the official website)
Input in the terminal or CMD:
bash pip install -U yt--dlp
Download the entire YouTube playlist:bash yt--dlp --yes-playlist -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio" "playlist link"
This command will automatically download the youtube playlist and select a resolution of no more than 1080P to merge audio and video, which is very suitable for your learning situation.Method 2: Extract in segments using browser DevTools (suitable for technical people)
Although it is more troublesome, you can also use browser developer tools to extract the video address bit by bit:- Open a video in the playlist and press F12;
- Switch to Network, filter media or .m4a/.mp4;
- Copy the real stream address and paste it into the browser to save as;
- Repeat one by one, and finally download youtube playlist (although it is "manual download")
- This method has slightly higher technical requirements and is suitable for friends who are not afraid of tossing.
Method 3: Screen recording to save the country (for lazy people only)
The last method is to record the screen, using the system's built-in tools (Windows has Xbox Game Bar, Mac has QuickTime):- Open the playlist and play it in full screen;
- Open the screen recording tool and record while playing;
- Save the video as MP4 after it ends, and it will be your own offline viewing file~
- Although it cannot be strictly regarded as "real download of youtube playlist", the effect is the same, just a little longer 😂
In short, if you are just for learning and have obtained authorization, then it is completely possible to download youtube playlist using these methods. I hope it can help you. If you have any questions, you can ask me again~ I wish you good luck in learning Python! 💻📚
- ReaganJohnsonIron Contributor
Do you heard Y22mate.is? This is a very popular online service for downloading youtube playlist videos. The platform supports getting video resources from several popular video sharing websites, such as YouTube, Facebook and so on. Users just need to copy the link of the video they want to download to the specified location of Y22mate.is, and then they can easily get multiple download options for that video, including different resolutions and formats, which can satisfy the diversified needs of users.
In addition, Y22mate.is is characterized by simple operation and wide application to download youtube playlist for Windows or Mac. It does not require users to install additional software, and can be accessed and utilized simply through a browser. Whether it is individual users who want to save their favorite videos for offline viewing or other users who have video downloading needs, Y22mate.is can provide some help. However, when using such online youtube playlist downloader on Windows or Mac, it is also important to be aware of the relevant platform rules and regulations.
- HarperLakeIron Contributor
If you’re thinking about downloading a YouTube playlist, there are a few things you should keep in mind to avoid any headaches.
- You want to make sure the downloader you’re using lets you pick the quality you want. Sometimes, you might end up with a low-res video, which is a bummer if you were hoping for that crisp HD goodness. Check if the downloader can snag audio only if it’s music you’re after; that's often a smaller file size and sufficient for jamming out.
- Be super careful about which tool you’re using! Some sketchy downloaders can be riddled with viruses or malware. Stick to well-known ones or check user reviews. I’ve had my fair share of dodgy software that was more trouble than it was worth.
- Some downloaders put limits on how many videos you can snag at once or how many times you can do it in a day. So check the FAQs or user guidelines before going on a downloading spree. You don’t want to get halfway through your playlist only to hit a wall.
- Don’t forget to check your device’s storage before downloading YouTube playlist! Videos can take up a lot of space, and the last thing you want is to run out of room mid-download. Always good to have a little wiggle room so you’re not scrambling last minute.
- BeckettSterlingIron Contributor
Free YouTube Download is a completely free desktop software without any payment, which supports batch downloading YouTube playlist videos through an intuitive graphical interface, suitable for long-term stable use by users.
1. Visit the website with your browser.
2. Open the software and start it for the first time, select the format you need as the default output.
3. Open YouTube, find the target playlist, copy the URL
4. In the software interface, tap the Paste button to paste the playlist URL, and the software will automatically parse the video list.
5. Choose the desired format in the output format, set the quality, tap Download, choose the save path, and wait for the batch download to finish.
6. Open File Explorer, navigate to the save directory, double-click the file to confirm the file is normal.
Disadvantages: The application needs to be installed if you want to download youtube playlist for Windows or Mac, takes up about 100MB of space, may recommend other software during the installation process, you need to manually cancel the closure, and the download relies on the Internet!
- EzraOakIron Contributor
Video DownloadHelper is a solid choice for downloading YouTube playlists for free. I've used it a bunch, and it’s super convenient once you get the hang of it.
Step 1: Install the Extension
First off, pop over to the Firefox Add-ons or Chrome Web Store, depending on your browser. Search for Video DownloadHelper and just install that bad boy. It’s a simple click-and-done process.Step 2: Find Your Playlist
Head over to YouTube and find the playlist you want to download. You know, just chillin’ and browse for that perfect collection of tunes or videos.Step 3: Activate the Extension
Once you’re on the playlist page, look up at the top right corner of your browser. You’ll spot the Video DownloadHelper icon (it looks like three colored balls). Click on it!Step 4: Select the Playlist
When you click the icon, it should show you all the videos in the playlist. You’ll see a little drop-down of options. Instead of just one video, look for the option that says something like “Download Playlist” or a similar phrase. Just click it!Step 5: Choose Your Format
Now, you’ll get a pop-up. Here, you can pick the format and quality you want. If you’re downloading music, going for MP3 is usually the way to roll. For videos, pick whatever quality you like best.Step 6: Start the Download
After choosing your format, hit that Download button! The magic happens, and you’ll see it’s starting to download YouTube playlist. You can track the progress right in the extension’s little pop-up.Step 7: Check Your Downloads
Once it’s done downloading, locate your files in your downloads folder. If you don’t remember where that is, it’s usually found in your user directory or you can just check your browser settings for the download location.