YouTube Shorts is a fun new way to express your creativity and connect with an audience on YouTube. The vertical, short-form videos (up to 60 seconds) have become incredibly popular since launching in 2020. However, unlike regular YouTube videos, there is currently no option to download Shorts.
If you want to save a YouTube Short video to view offline or post on other platforms, you’ll need to use a third-party downloader. Luckily, there are a few easy methods to download YouTube Shorts that don’t require any technical skills.
This guide will walk through the top ways to download YouTube Shorts, including using online converters, browser extensions, and mobile apps. We’ll also cover how to download Shorts on iPhone and Android devices. Let’s get started!
Using Online Converters to Download YouTube Shorts
One of the quickest ways to download a YouTube Short is using an online converting tool. Here are some reputable sites that allow you to paste the Short URL and download the video:
SaveFrom net
SaveFrom net is completely free to use and supports downloading videos from many major platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
To use it for YouTube Shorts, go to the SaveFrom net YouTube downloader and paste the Short URL into the box. Click “Download” and select MP4 as the desired file format. The video will download instantly with no limits on quality or file size.
ClipConverter cc
ClipConverter cc is another handy online tool for downloading YouTube videos and Shorts. Simply paste the Short URL, choose MP4, and click “Convert” to download the file. There are no sign-ups required and no video length limits.
You can also use ClipConverter cc to convert YouTube videos into different file formats, like MP3 audio.
9Convert com
9Convert com offers a straightforward YouTube downloader that supports Shorts. Paste the URL, select the output format (MP4 Video recommended), and click “Start” to download the Short.
9Convert com also allows converting videos into MP3 files. And there are handy options to trim, crop, or compress videos before downloading.
The benefit of using online converters is how fast and easy they allow you to save YouTube Shorts. However, the downloaded quality may not be as high as through apps or extensions.
Using Browser Extensions to Download Shorts
Another handy option is using a browser extension that integrates downloading capabilities right into YouTube. Here are some top choices:
VideoDownloader – Get this Extension for 🦊 Firefox
VideoDownloader is a popular Firefox extension with over 2 million users. Once installed, it places a “Download” button on YouTube videos and Shorts, allowing instant saving to your computer.
The extension is completely free and doesn’t impact video quality. Shorts can be downloaded in MP4 format up to 720p HD quality.
FastestTube – For Chrome️
FastestTube is a similar browser extension for Google Chrome. It also adds a download button to YouTube for quick saving.
To use it for Shorts, install the extension, go to the Short URL, and click the download icon next to the title. The video will be saved as an MP4 file.
FastestTube is free, but upgrading to the premium version removes ads and enables 1080p HD quality downloads.
Video Downloader Professional – For Opera
Opera users can install Video Downloader Professional to download YouTube Shorts and videos. Once added to Opera, it integrates a “Download” button into YouTube for easy one-click saving.
The extension is completely free. Shorts can be downloaded in MP4 format up to 720p quality.
The advantage of using a browser extension is convenience. You don’t have to copy/paste URLs into converters. Just click the download button on YouTube to save Shorts instantly.
Using Mobile Apps to Download YouTube Shorts
Downloading Shorts directly on your iPhone or Android device is also simple with the right app. Here are some top options:
Documents by Readdle (iOS & Android)
Documents by Readdle is a free file manager app with handy “Web Capture” and “Web Video downloader” tools.
To use it for Shorts on iPhone/iPad:
- Open Documents and go to the “Web Video downloader” tab.
- Paste the YouTube Short URL and tap Download.
- The Short will save to the Downloads folder as MP4 video.
The process is the same on Android. Documents makes it easy to download videos from major platforms.
InShot – Video Editor (Android & iOS)
InShot is a popular video editing app that also lets you download YouTube content.
To download Shorts on Android/iPhone:
- In InShot, tap the “YouTube Downloader” option.
- Paste the Short URL and tap “Download”.
- The video will be saved to your device’s gallery to edit or share later!
InShot also allows uploading/editing videos, adding music, text, and more creative effects. It’s great for sprucing up downloaded Shorts before reposting.
SnapTube (Android)
SnapTube is a free YouTube downloader app for Android. It makes downloading Shorts easy:
- Open SnapTube and paste the Short URL into the search bar.
- Tap on the Short thumbnail result.
- Choose “Download” to save the MP4 video file.
SnapTube packs other useful features too, like extracting MP3 audio from YouTube videos.
The benefit of using mobile apps is convenience. You can download Shorts on-the-go without needing a computer. Most apps are free and easy to use with a simple copy/paste method.
How to Download YouTube Shorts on iPhone
Don’t have a third-party app yet? You can also use the iPhone’s web browser to download Shorts with just a few steps:
- Open Safari and go to the YouTube Short URL.
- Tap the Share button in the toolbar—it looks like a square with an arrow pointing upward.
- Scroll down and select “Add to iCloud Drive.”
- The Short will download to your iCloud Drive as MP4 video. You can save it to the Photos app or Files app.
This method even works on an iPad. While not as fast as specialized apps, it’s handy in a pinch when you need to quickly save a Short on Apple devices.
How to Download YouTube Shorts on Android
Similarly, Android users can download Shorts through the Chrome app:
- In Chrome, open the YouTube Short URL.
- Tap the three-dot menu button in the top-right.
- Select “Download” from the menu.
- The video will download to your Downloads folder as MP4.
You can also hold down on the Short while it’s playing and choose “Download” from the pop-up menu.
This gives Android users an easy way to get Shorts without installing a separate app.
5 Tips for Downloading YouTube Shorts
Here are some quick tips to make downloading Shorts easier:
- Always use trusted sites or apps to avoid malware. Stick to reputable, well-known tools.
- Paste the full Short URL instead of just youtu.be links for the best chance of downloading.
- Know Short download limits. Online converters often cap at 720p quality while apps may enable 1080p HD downloads.
- Many tools only allow downloading Shorts as MP4 video files. If you want just the audio, use an online MP3 converter after.
- Downloading Shorts you didn’t create requires the owner’s permission. Avoid reposting others’ content without approval.
Is it Legal to Download YouTube Shorts?
There is some debate around the legality of downloading videos from YouTube and other platforms. Here are some key considerations:
- YouTube’s terms of service explicitly prohibit downloading videos without permission. However, they don’t heavily enforce against merely saving content to view offline.
- You can legally download Shorts and YouTube videos for personal, private use in most countries. This constitutes “fair use.”
- Distributing, selling, or publicly displaying downloaded Shorts without owner permission violates copyright. Refrain from reposting Shorts that aren’t yours.
- Some countries have exceptions or “private copy” laws allowing downloads for personal entertainment. But regulations vary globally.
Ultimately, downloading Shorts as a one-time personal copy for private offline use seems legally acceptable in many regions. But redistributing downloaded content crosses ethical and legal boundaries fast. Always respect creators’ rights.
Conclusion
Thanks to handy online converters, browser extensions, and mobile apps, saving YouTube Shorts for offline viewing is easy. We recommend using trusted tools like SaveFrom net, InShot, and FastestTube to quickly download Shorts you want to preserve.
Just be mindful of only downloading your own Shorts or those you have permission to use. Avoid reposting others’ content without approval. Respect creators by supporting their channels.
We hope this guide gave you some helpful tips for downloading YouTube Shorts! Let us know if you have any other questions. Happy video saving!