How to download youtube video on mac with 4k or 1080p

If you are looking for consistent quality, you should use Tubly Downloader, it is a browser extension available on Chrome/Firefox/Edge. It is reliable, lightweight and processes downloads instantly. You are able to download your programming tutorials in 4K resolution, with flexible options from 1440p,1080p and even 8k resolution (if available). Furthermore, It doesn't have any video length limitations. It is easy to use since it adds a simple download button under every Youtube video for one-click downloads. The tool is 100% ad-free and malware-free.

https://www.safedowns.com/download-youtube-video-to-computer

This is the best tutorial I found last week and worked like a charm on my Mac Mini M4.

As for me, AllCliipDown is a great YouTube downloader for Mac. It is very good app with a clean, user-friendly interface that supports 4K, 8K vidoe quality. It’s fast, reliable, and integrates well with macOS, making it a top choice for hassle-free downloads.

One key advantage is its wide site support beyond YouTube, it works with Facebook, TikTok, and 1,000+ other platforms. It also fetches subtitles, playlists, and offers format presets. The drag-and-drop URL feature saves time compared to browser extensions.

You can safely use this amazing app to download youtube videos on macbook air, pro, mac mini and iMac.

Please don't use YTTMP3 if you are going to download YouTube video on Mac, the reasons are as follows:

1. YTTMP3 focuses on extracting audio, so you can't really get the full video in high quality.
2. Even if you could get the video, these sites usually only support lower resolutions or audio-only files.
3. These sites are sometimes unreliable, have pop-up ads, or may not support the latest YouTube formats.

About downloading YouTube video on Mac, if you want high-quality video downloads on Mac, it's better to use dedicated tools like 4K Vide0 Downloader or similar desktop apps that are designed for high-res video downloads.

Tips
* Always update the app to the latest version for better compatibility.
* Be cautious with free online sites—they can sometimes have pop-ups or ads.

On a Mac, you can use the built-in Screenshot tool to record YouTube videos by capturing your screen. This is an indirect but safe way to free download youtube video on mac without any software.

• Shift + Command + 6: Record a selected portion of the screen.
• Shift + Command + 7: Record a specific window.

These shortcuts are part of macOS Sonoma and later. After pressing the shortcut, a recording toolbar will appear, allowing you to start and stop the screen recording easily. The captured video will be saved to your desktop by default. No youtube downloader software required!!!

Cons of video recording

❌ Low quality – Records at screen resolution, not original video quality.
❌ No audio (unless enabled in settings, but may have sync issues).
❌ Time-consuming – Requires real-time playback.

Note: This method is useful for personal use (like offline viewing or taking notes), but it’s important to respect copyright laws when downloading or recording content from YouTube.

If you're thinking about downloading YouTube videos on Mac in 4K or 1080p, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Some free download tools or sites can be sketchy—might have malware, pop-ups, or unwanted software. Always use trusted sources or well-reviewed apps if you decide to go that route.
• Downloading in 4K or 1080p is pretty straightforward with the right tools, but some free options might limit quality or features. Be aware that not all free downloaders handle high-res videos smoothly.
• If it’s someone’s content, consider if they’d be okay with you downloading YouTube video on Mac. Respect creators’ rights, especially if you plan to share or reuse the videos.

If you do it, use a reputable tool, keep it personal, and remember it’s technically against YouTube’s rules. Just be careful and don’t go overboard with it.

Another way to download youtube videos on mac without any third-party software or even browser extensions is using online bookmarklets. They are simple pieces of JavaScript code that you can add to your bookmarks bar and run with a click.

Bookmarklets are a lightweight, no-installation way to download youtube videos mac free directly from your browser. Since they run like regular bookmarks, they don't require extensions or third-party software. Here's how to use them on Mac (or any computer):

1. Open YouTube in your browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.).

2. Right-click your bookmarks bar and select "Add Page" or "New Bookmark."

3. Name it something like "YT Download"

4. In the URL/Address field, paste this JavaScript snippet:

5. Visit any YouTube video.

6. Click the bookmarklet in your toolbar.

7. The download site  will open. You can choose your format (MP4, MP3, etc.).

Pros
✅ No software/extensions needed – Runs like a normal bookmark.
✅ Works on Mac, Windows, etc. – Browser-agnostic.

Cons

⚠️ Depends on external sites – Some may have ads or limits.
⚠️ May break if site changes – Bookmarklets rely on the service staying online.

What about the C1ipGrab? That is available for Mac and can be used to download YouTube videos on Mac in high quality, including 1080p and 4K, depending on what's available in the video.
1. Download C1ipGrab for Mac:
   Click on the "Download" button and select the Mac version.
   Follow the installation instructions.

2.Install and open C1ipGrab:
   Drag the app into your Applications folder if prompted.
   Open the app (you might need to allow it in Security & Privacy settings since it's from an unidentified developer).

3. Download a video:  
  Paste it into the URL field of C1ipGrab.  
  Select the output format (MP4 is a common format for high-quality videos).    
  Select the quality (1080p or 4K if available).    
  Click "Grab this clip!" to start download YouTube video on Mac.

4. Save Your the video:
  The video will be downloaded to the folder you specified.
  Watch it using your favorite player.

Taampermonkey + YouTube  Downloader browser extension. This is a totally free way to download youtube video on mac with 4k resolution.

Step 1: Please download and install Taampermonkey browser extension.

Step 2: Find a youtube downloader user script from Greasyfork website.

Step 3: Open the script page on GreasyFork or OpenUserJS.

Step 4: Taampermonkey should prompt you to install it.

Step 5:After installation, visit a YouTube video page.

Step 6: A download button should appear near the video player. Now, you can safely download youtube videos on your Mac for free.

As you can see, Taampermonkey is a popular browser extension that allows users to install and manage user scripts, small JavaScript programs that modify or enhance the functionality of websites. They can be worked as youtube downloader for Mac.

It works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other browsers, enabling custom tweaks like ad-blocking, automated tasks, or adding download buttons (e.g., for YouTube videos).

By acting as a user script manager, Taampermonkey makes it easy to safely run and update scripts from platforms, expanding what you can do in your browser without manual coding.