Safari on iPhone and iPad can download files directly, so you can save YouTube videos without installing an app.
Step 1: Copy the link in the YouTube app
Open the video, tap Share and choose Copy link. For Shorts, the Share arrow is on the right side of the screen.
Step 2: Open Youtube4DL in Safari
Go to www.youtube4dl.com in Safari, tap the box, choose Paste and press Start.
Step 3: Download
Choose a quality and tap Download. Safari may ask “Do you want to download…?” – tap Download. A blue arrow appears in the address bar while the file saves.
Step 4: Find the video and save it to Photos
- Open the Files app and go to Browse → On My iPhone (or iCloud Drive) → Downloads.
- Tap the video to play it.
- To add it to your camera roll, tap Share and choose Save Video.
Saving music on iPhone
MP3 and M4A files also go to Files → Downloads and play right there. To listen in another app, open the file, tap Share and pick the app.
If the download doesn’t start
- Make sure you are using Safari. Some in-app browsers, such as the one inside Instagram, block downloads.
- Check Settings → Safari → Downloads and confirm a download location is set.
- Large 4K files need lots of free space; try 1080p or 720p instead.