Many times we enjoy videos on YouTube but cannot download them, as this action requires payment. However, there are some programs that allow us to download a video from YouTube for free and legally. In general, YouTube video downloaders available on the internet are solutions for people who want to download a video for free. However, in some cases, these “free” video downloaders charge users more than one can imagine. One of the “golden” rules of the internet is that users should always be careful about what they download, as there are many security that should not be ignored.
High malware risk
If you type “Download YouTube videos” into Google , you will see numerous YouTube video download sites trying to lure you in. However, not all of them are legitimate. Given the high competition, few would investigate other unethical activities to make money from users.
One such method is malvertising, in which online advertisements contain malicious code that redirects a user to a malicious site. Once someone visits the malicious site, scammers and cybercriminals can install some kind of adware or botnet mining on their system to make money, even if the user has closed the site. And it's not just malware, as visiting an unsafe site makes a user vulnerable to all kinds of viruses and trojans that can cause serious or even irreversible damage, such as stealing personal information.
Illegality
Copying videos from a site is not only dangerous, but also illegal according to YouTube's terms and conditions. Where copyright law applies, it is not allowed for anyone to download or make copies of copyrighted content. Therefore, if you are caught doing this, you may be fined or even face legal action.
Although YouTube has never penalized a user for downloading copyrighted content using a video downloader, the activity is still considered illegal. It is highly unlikely that the YouTube video you want to save is exempt from copyright laws. However, there are some videos on YouTube that are not subject to copyright laws, such as videos that are listed as Creative common (CC) and videos whose copyright has expired. In general, downloading videos from YouTube is illegal.
How can you download a video from YouTube for free and legally? Using YouTube video downloaders is not only unsafe, but also illegal. However, you can download videos without any software , just by using the official YouTube app
YouTube Application
To download a video from YouTube legally, you must do the following:
- Use the official YouTube mobile app (Android/ iOS)
- Click on the video you want to download
- Tap the Download button just below the video thumbnail.
- Choose the video quality
- Press OK.
The video is now saved in Downloads. You can watch or listen to the video, even when you're offline. If you just want to download songs from YouTube, try the YouTube Music app, which gives you access to millions of songs on YouTube.
YouTube Go App
YouTube Go is one of Google's light Android intended for low-end smartphones. However, users who want to download free videos from YouTube can use it to their advantage. To download videos with YouTube Go, follow these steps:
- Download the YouTube Go app (Android)
- Select the video
- In the next menu, select the quality
- Press the download button
Why use the YouTube app to download a video?
Millions of people use YouTube to stream music. One of the biggest arguments for using third-party YouTube downloaders is that you can listen to the video while the screen is off.
You can also play videos while using other apps or when your screen is off with YouTube Premium. A $12/month YouTube subscription that offers background playback, an ad-free experience, and unlimited access to YouTube Music.
The biggest advantage of downloading YouTube videos without software is that you can play them only on the YouTube app. Any other problem with free YouTube downloads can be solved by purchasing a YouTube premium subscription.
