Many browsers support the ability for add-ons or extensions to be installed to download streaming videos.
WARNING: Downloading streaming videos is not illegal, as long as you use the video in a manner that conforms to the video's license or terms of use. For example, many YouTube videos use the standard YouTube license, and some are licensed under Creative Commons. You can check the license type by inspecting the information box underneath the video, as in the image below.
For more information about viewing and using YouTube videos in accordance with copyrights, make sure to check Google's Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright and Fair Use on YouTube.
Download videos using a Firefox add-on
To download videos (including YouTube) using Firefox, we recommend the add-on called Download YouTube Videos as MP4. The install the add-on, follow the install process below.
In Firefox, navigate to the add-on page at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/download-youtube/, and click Add to Firefox.
When prompted by the browser to confirm installation, click Install.
The next time you go to a YouTube video page, you'll notice a Download button on your interface.
You'll be presented with a drop-down menu, where you can select which quality video to download and what size each type of file will be. After selecting the desired video quality option, the file will download like any other file and be available in your downloads folder.
Downloading videos using Chrome extensions
Note: Google does not allow any extension in Google Chrome to download YouTube videos. However, the example below does allow you to download videos from most other video sites.
For Google Chrome, we recommend installing the Video Downloader professional extension. To download this extension, follow the install process below.
Visit the Video Downloader Professional extension on the Chrome web store.
Click the Add to Chrome button Add to chrome once open.
Click Add Extension.
After installing the extension, if a video is available to download, a green down arrow Download arrow appears in the top-right corner of the window and allows you to download the video.
- Copyright and Fair Use
- Downloading videos using a Firefox add-on
- Downloading videos using Chrome extensions
WARNING: Downloading streaming videos is not illegal, as long as you use the video in a manner that conforms to the video's license or terms of use. For example, many YouTube videos use the standard YouTube license, and some are licensed under Creative Commons. You can check the license type by inspecting the information box underneath the video, as in the image below.
For more information about viewing and using YouTube videos in accordance with copyrights, make sure to check Google's Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright and Fair Use on YouTube.
Download videos using a Firefox add-on
To download videos (including YouTube) using Firefox, we recommend the add-on called Download YouTube Videos as MP4. The install the add-on, follow the install process below.
In Firefox, navigate to the add-on page at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/download-youtube/, and click Add to Firefox.
When prompted by the browser to confirm installation, click Install.
The next time you go to a YouTube video page, you'll notice a Download button on your interface.
You'll be presented with a drop-down menu, where you can select which quality video to download and what size each type of file will be. After selecting the desired video quality option, the file will download like any other file and be available in your downloads folder.
Downloading videos using Chrome extensions
Note: Google does not allow any extension in Google Chrome to download YouTube videos. However, the example below does allow you to download videos from most other video sites.
For Google Chrome, we recommend installing the Video Downloader professional extension. To download this extension, follow the install process below.
Visit the Video Downloader Professional extension on the Chrome web store.
Click the Add to Chrome button Add to chrome once open.
Click Add Extension.
After installing the extension, if a video is available to download, a green down arrow Download arrow appears in the top-right corner of the window and allows you to download the video.
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