UsingMac.com
Mac Tricks and Tips, Wallpapers and Applications for Mac Users
Free Download YouTube Video with Safari
Advertisements
Most of us like to watch YouTube, right? (Hope so). And it's surprisingly simple and easy to download those YouTube videos. Do you want to know? Follow next three steps.
Step 1. Open YouTube
No need further explanation for this step. But only need to remember this: use Safari!
Step 2. Open Activity Window
To open activity window, you can use either keystrokes Command-Option-A or paths Safari: Window ▸ Activity.
Look at activity from YouTube.com and then search for the biggest file size which is obviously the video file. Found it already? Try to double-click it.
Step 3. Renaming to FLV
Soon you will realize that a file named get_video is downloaded. This is the YouTube video you want to download. Rename it to something.flv (you can replace something with anything).
Finally, you got the video file. Open it with FLV Player to watch the video.
Related Entries
Some articles taken from our resource base, tightly related to current article, to empower you with more knowledge on tweaking the most out of your Mac.
75 Comments
macuser
Use this bookmarklet:
javascript:if%20(document.getElementById('download-youtube-video')==null%20&&%20!!(document.location.href.match(/http:\/\/[a-zA-Z\.]*youtube\.com\/watch/)))%20{var%20yt_mp4_path='http://www.youtube.com/get_video?fmt=18&video_id='+swfArgs['video_id']+'&t='+swfArgs['t'];%20var%20div_embed=document.getElementById('watch-embed-div');div_embed.innerHTML=div_embed.innerHTML+'%3Cbr%20/%3E%20%3Cspan%20id=\'download-youtube-video\'%3E%3Ca%20href=\''+yt_mp4_path+'\'%3EDownload%20as%20MP4%3C/a%3E%20(right-click%20and%20select%20%3Ci%3ESave%20'+%20(navigator.appName=='Microsoft%20Internet%20Explorer'?'target':'link')%20+'%20as%3C/i%3E)%3C/span%3E';}void(0);
Should be one line. A new link will appear to the left of the YouTube video, which lets you download the vid in mp4.
Have a great weekend!
Richard
Awesome tip!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried doing this with Youtube Sock but it was only a demo. This is much better!
Andrew
You can also use an application called isquint. its free and only 5.5MB. all you do is drag the file download thats on your desktop or in a folder into the isquint window and there you go!
Evan
That's a great tip, thanks! Much easier than downloading YouTube videos on Windows.
kelly
wow cool!
Mark B
macuser: I don't understand how to use your script as a "bookmarklet" Can you give me a tep-by-step of what to do?
TiBo
This tip works for quite every multimedia content on any website : Dailymotion, Myspace for MP3s, etc...
macuser
@ Mark B: Ooops, sorry, I was offline but now you have this: http://www.usingmac.com/2008/6/1/bookmarklets-for-mac-safari :-)
nomi
I tried to do this and it kept coming up with forbidden, in downloads and in speed download.... any suggestions?
Wendy
Most probably your access has been blocked by the source of the video. Is there any problem in download any other youtube videos?
If you really want to download that video, you can try the bookmarklet (simple javascript) suggested by macuser on the #1 comment above.
fdg
how do you change it to a .flv file
Wendy
Rename a file and put .flv extension, it will be converted :D
???
When i click on the one i want it doesn't download it goes and refresh youtube on the video
steveking
YouTubeRobot.com today announces YouTube Robot 2.0, a tool that enables you to download video from YouTube.com onto your PC, convert it to various formats to watch it when you are on the road on mobile devices like mobile phone, iPod, iPhone, Pocket PC, PSP, or Zune. YouTube Robot allows you to search for videos using keywords or browse video by category, author, channel, language, tags, etc. When you find something noteworthy, you can preview the video right in YouTube Robot and then download it onto the hard disk drive. The speed, at which you will be downloading, is very high: up to 5 times faster than other software when you download a single file and up to 4 times faster when you download multiple files at a time. Manual download is not the only option with YouTube Robot. You may as well schedule the download and conversion tasks to be executed automatically, even when you are not around. Downloading is followed by conversion to the format of your choice and uploading videos to a mobile device (if needed). For example, you can plug in iPod, select the video, go to bed, and when you wake up next morning, your iPod will be ready to play new YouTube videos. Product page: ww w.youtuberobot.com Direct download link: w ww.youtuberobot.com/download/utuberobot.exe web-site: ww w.youtuberobot.com E-mail: support@youtuberobot.com
Bi11
WinAVI FLV converter does better then youTubeRobot. The convert is much more faster.
^ () ^
Can you get safari to work on youtube without having to download anything?
leah
once you change it to .flv, what do you use to open it? i ried quicktime but that didnt work.
nita
great tip! tried it out, works very well. Thank you
wft
try zamzar.com it takes a much longer time than the javascript but you can choose what format you want (also converts files so click on download video option) ;)
Heléne
AWESOME!!!!!
rafael reynoso
thanks! these tip was very useful....
download youtube video
nice article thanks.
karolr41
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! YOU SAVED MY DAY!!!! IS EASIER THAN DOWNLOADING THEM ON WINDOW!!!!! THANK YOU!!!
Patrick94FR
I use VLC to watch videos from youtube now! Simply drag severals url or link from safari into the vlc icon in the dock. Play it. Save your favorites videos in playlists! Another great app is MacTubes…
Tumified
God bless you. this is very helpful.
scofy
i recommend this free youtube downloader for mac tool
zaq
Excellent tip! Works great most of the time ... however, if the video I want to download is encoded as .mp4, then when I double-click from the activity window it takes me to the .mp4 file, but it's playing in quicktime and I can't select "Save As" unless I have Quicktime Pro. Is there any way around this? How do I save a .mp4 file?
Matt
There is a cool free YouTube Downloader for Mac. This Free Online Video Downloader for Mac is developed by Wondershare. It can download online video automatically from all popular websites, such as YouTube, Yahoo, Google Video, Break, Metacafe, MySpace, Gofish. Youku, 56, Tudou, etc. This downloader sniff online video real address by analysing video data packet. It's the best online video downloader I used ever.
youtubeluvr
OH MY GOSH! THIS IS A LIFE SAVER! THANKS
maccolar
Nice guide, it works pretty well for me. I found a guide about how to do that job with free online converter, and here is a guide about it http://www.mac-dvd.com/mac-guide/how-to-download-youtube-video-on-mac-for-free.html
sehire
Thanks Matt, I used the [ free YouTube Downloader for Mac] that you recommend. So easy tool for a computer newbie.
Enter Your Name
You may try www.zamzar.com , it's a nice free online video converter that works for both windows and mac, and here is a guide about how to use it http://www.mac-dvd.com/mac-guide/how-to-download-youtube-video-on-mac-for-free.html
n3
You may try www.zamzar.com , it's a nice free online video converter that works for both windows and mac, and here is a guide about how to use it http://www.mac-dvd.com/mac-guide/how-to-download-youtube-video-on-mac-for-free.html
pame
http://startube.mobi is the site where we can search and download YOUTUBE videos without softwares (NO SOFTWARE NEEDED) just a click you can download it to your MOBILE PHONE, iPHONE and PC in the formats u like...
Sunshine
Yes, I have used Free YouTube Downloader for Mac as Matt said.It is cool ,and I also want to convert the videos from YouTube to my iPod. I found a nice Video Converter for Mac from Google:It help me convert my favourite videos to my iPod.
Sunshine
Yes, I have used Free YouTube Downloader for Mac as Matt said.It is cool ,and I also want to convert the videos from YouTube to my iPod. I found a nice Video Converter for Mac from Google:It help me convert my favourite videos to my iPod.
moonwalker
See here: Watch YouTube videos with QuickTime http://codesnippets.joyent.com/posts/show/1875
Morpheus
NICE NICE NICE NICE .......................! Great Tip
Scarborough
I must be a moron, but every time I download a video, I get just a page full of code. Each time, I locate the largest file and double click and then it just downloads the code. Any suggestions?
mrpop
Just try: playurl 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfER3jhUC2E' see: http://codesnippets.joyent.com/posts/show/1896
Carl
MacUser: Should I put the "bookmarklet" into the browser window? That doesn't work for me.
This one I mean: javascript:if%20(document.getElementById('download-youtube-video')==null%20&&%20!!(document.location.href.match(/http:\/\/[a-zA-Z\.]*youtube\.com\/watch/)))%20{var%20yt_mp4_path='http://www.youtube.com/get_video?fmt=18&video_id='+swfArgs['video_id']+'&t='+swfArgs['t'];%20var%20div_embed=document.getElementById('watch-embed-div');div_embed.innerHTML=div_embed.innerHTML+'%3Cbr%20/%3E%20%3Cspan%20id=\'download-youtube-video\'%3E%3Ca%20href=\''+yt_mp4_path+'\'%3EDownload%20as%20MP4%3C/a%3E%20(right-click%20and%20select%20%3Ci%3ESave%20'+%20(navigator.appName=='Microsoft%20Internet%20Explorer'?'target':'link')%20+'%20as%3C/i%3E)%3C/span%3E';}void(0
Wendy
Let me clarify this, you can save bookmarklet by dropping it to either bookmarks menu or bookmarks bar so that you can use it anytime you want. Simply drop/save this link to your bookmarks.
When you want to download YouTube video, just click this link to open bookmarklet (and then the script written inside will be executed).
jeffcard
Nice guide, it works pretty well for me, I'd also recommend this free mac youtube downloader, it can help you download youtube video to mac for free.
somebody
Me too! What's up with that?!
Denise
Can someone help me? I am trying to do the free download from u tube to my Mac Book. I tried to download and change the name but don't seem to have a FLV player. Help
MoonRiver
If you want to convert Youtube Videos to DVD for a saving on Mac,just follow this cool guide about : "How to burn YouTube Videos to DVD on Mac"
he who must not be named
this is amazing it is so much better than get tube and other programs ive used this is another point for mac being better than windows! all Hail the MIGHTY MACINTOSH!!!!!
wnry
Direct download youtube video here http://www.dooclip.net
Santos23
Hi. I use www.vid2pc.com - simple and good
John Smt
Hi. I use www.vid2pc.com Very fast and simple.
Pmills
I am a barely computer literate dad helping his daughter w/ school project., so bear with me.... We have an IMAC. Can the downloaded MP4 be put on a thumbdrive or CD ROM or DVD and then played on a MAC at her school????
aman narula
:) GREATEST TIP EVER.. I WOULD KISS THE GUY WHO HAS POSTED THIS TIP. THANK YOU...
rockerella1989
I've tried this, and it doesnt work....any suggestions on using something else?
Cindycinderella
I'm using a cool video download software YouTube Robot which is very convenient and fast.With this you can forget about recharging your player with fresh movies and just take care of your business, while the software automatically checks your favorite video sites for new movies, downloads and transfers them to your MP4 or mobile phones. I wish it is usefull for you.Its information is as follows: Product page: http://www.youtuberobot.com Direct download link: http://www.youtuberobot.com/download/utuberobot.exe Company web-site: http://www.youtuberobot.com E-mail: support@youtuberobot.com
nitendra
Awesome idea of doing it. Its a easiest way of doing it. We can also download using the real player its also easy way out.
Thedon
http://www.video2mp3.net/index.php try this site too works great
John
THanks for the post
NinjaBitch!
I was able to download it, but i don't have the new version of quicktime so i can't play it?? its annoying. HELP
pixy
Nice article, thanks for sharing! I use iDesktop.tv to download YouTube videos and I'm very pleased with its various functionality and performance!
Hans
Hi everybody, I have downloaded an You Tube download program, but the quality is miserable on an IMAC. It's of course due to the down graded file size we see on You Tube. Does anybody have a suggestion to "upgrade it" having the opportunity burning it to good DVD quality? Your comments are most welcome, cheers, Hans
AlfieBK
Anyone can download from Youtube simply by putting the letters 'pwn' between the 'www.' and 'youtube...' once you are on the page of the video you want to download. It will take you to another site which will give you the options of downloading an flv or mp4 version of the video. mp4s are watchable on ipods, iphones and in itunes.
Alekos
Thanks a lot.....!!!!
jonathan
i cant open it as an flv file. pls help
Christopher
Thanks so much this website is so simple and straight forward
Foodie
Nice piece of information indeed
Lauren
Thank you!!! I've been fighting with Tubetv which worked for a while. But once I upgraded to Snow Leopard it hardly works at all. It's been a major pain, and is just taking up hard drive space that I could put to better use.
Tyler \
Ok i have downloaded, but how do I watch it?
justine
this didnt work for me... i double clicked on it but nothing happened it just took me to the tabe where i had the youtbe clip open. help???
nikša Siminiati
BRILLIANT! Thank You
Jen
For the people who can't open the ".flv" file they've downloaded: this worked for me. Once you've downloaded the file and have the ".flv" file on your desktop, open iTunes, go to File/Add to Library. Your file should be listed in the window that opens. Highlight it and click "choose". Your file will import into iTunes. Mine showed up in the "Movies" folder on iTunes. Hope this works for you!
Jen
Oops. I tried it again and it didn't work. Sorry for the mislead.
hgfh
Aimersoft Video Converter for Mac is the optimal Mac Video Converter for portable players. With this best Mac Video Converter, you can easily convert your favorite videos for iPhone, iPod, PSP and other players on Mac OS X.
asdfhkj
It is also possible to use ClickToFlash Safari plug-in, it allows the user to download YouTube videos (including HDs when available) as h264 wrapped in the mp4 container, so you don't even have to deal with flv. The UI is quite simple, just right-click the video at the YoutTube page and choose the "Download H.264" menu item. Some setup work you need to do only once: 1. Download it from http://rentzsch.github.com/clicktoflash/ 2. Install it. 3. Set up its preferences (in the Safari menu, go to Safari->ClickToFlash->Settings...) As a bonus, you will be able to stream videos directly to QuickTimePlayer, block flash ads and more...
jay
it's verry good
tyler \
How do i get the flv player
Leave a Comment