YouTube created Shorts to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels, but it lacked one crucial feature: the ability to download short videos directly to your device, unless it was your own video.
YouTube created Shorts to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels, but it lacked one crucial feature: the ability to download short videos directly to your device, unless it was your own video. Luckily, there are still ways to save your favorite videos to watch later. Here's a detailed guide on how!
1. Use YouTube Studio to download your own short video.
If you need to download your own short video to another device, it's perfectly possible to do so without third-party tools. First, you need to log into your YouTube account on that device. If you're using a computer, next, click on your profile picture in the upper right corner and select YouTube Studio .
From there, access Content in the left-hand menu. Switch to the Shorts tab on the right. Hover over the short video you want to download. Click the three-dot icon that appears below.
Select Download from the menu.
On the mobile app, tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Select Your videos .
Switch to the Shorts tab . Click the three dots next to the short video you want to download and select Delete .
2. Using third-party applications on mobile devices
If you frequently download videos from social media, not just YouTube Shorts, you should probably install a third-party app on your device.
For example, if you're using Android, you can use the SaveFrom app . Unfortunately, this type of app isn't very common on iPhones or iPads. So, it's best to use the previous method instead.
Open the app and paste the URL you copied from YouTube into the bar at the top. Wait a few seconds.
After the thumbnails have finished loading, select the video quality, then click the Download icon to start the process.
Once the video is ready, you'll see a link to it on your device. Tap the video to open and watch it.
If you're using a third-party YouTube app like NewPipe or LibreTube, you can download Shorts from there (although there may be some limitations in some cases). However, note that these apps are often not available on the Google Play Store, so you need to download them as APK files. You should use a reliable source when downloading APKs or use the app's official website.
YouTube recently introduced new tools to make creating Shorts easier, specifically to support the creation of short videos. You may also be unaware that you can now view YouTube Shorts in landscape mode . If you think this might be helpful for your daily routine, check out the steps in this TipsMake.com guide.