What you can actually do with a YouTube video

You cannot legally download most YouTube videos to your computer or phone — the videos are owned by creators or rights holders, and YouTube's terms of service forbid it. What you can do is save videos to your YouTube library for later watching, share the link with others, create a playlist, or use YouTube's built-in tools to clip and share short segments. If you want to use video content for your own project, you need permission from the copyright holder first.

The confusion happens because downloading is technically possible — software exists to do it — but doing so violates YouTube's terms and may violate copyright law depending on who owns the video and what you plan to do with it. This guide covers the legal methods YouTube provides, plus what to do if you have a legitimate reason to use video content.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube's "Save" button stores videos in your library for later viewing without downloading anything to your device.
  • You can share a YouTube video by copying its link and sending it to others, or by using YouTube's built-in share buttons for email, text, or social media.
  • YouTube's clip feature lets you create and share a 5 to 60 second segment from any video without downloading the full file.
  • Downloading videos violates YouTube's terms of service, and using copyrighted content in your own project requires written permission from the copyright holder.
  • If a creator has made their video available for reuse, they will have marked it with a Creative Commons license visible on the video's "About" tab.

Save a video to watch later

The simplest way to keep track of a video is to save it to your YouTube library. Open the video, look for the Save button (it looks like a bookmark or flag icon) below the video player, and click it. The video moves to your "Watch later" playlist, and you can watch it anytime you are signed into your YouTube account.

Your saved videos stay in your account across all your devices — phone, tablet, computer — as long as you are signed in. You can organize them into custom playlists by clicking Save again and choosing a specific playlist instead of "Watch later." To view your saved videos, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select "Your channel," then click the "Playlists" tab.

Share a video link with someone else

To send a YouTube video to another person, click the Share button below the video player. A menu appears with several options: you can copy the link to paste into an email or text message, or click the icons for Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, or other platforms to share directly. If you want to send the link to a specific moment in the video, click "Start at" and enter the time code before sharing.

When you copy the link, YouTube gives you a shortened URL (usually starting with youtu.be) that works the same as the full link. Either version works fine — the person you send it to just needs to click it to watch. They do not need a YouTube account to view the video, though they may see ads.

Create and share a clip from a video

If you only want to share part of a video, use YouTube's clip feature instead of the whole thing. Open the video, click the Clip button below the player (it looks like two overlapping rectangles), and YouTube opens a trimming tool. Select the section you want — clips can be 5 to 60 seconds long — and click "Create clip." YouTube generates a new link to just that segment.

The clip appears in your channel's clips section and you can share it the same way you share a full video: copy the link or use the Share button. Clipping is useful when you want to highlight a specific moment, quote, or reaction without forcing someone to watch the entire video. The original creator still gets credit, and the clip links back to their full video.

What to do if you need to use video content in your own project

If you want to use footage, audio, or images from a YouTube video in something you are creating — a presentation, a video, a website — you need permission from whoever owns the copyright. For most videos, that is the person who uploaded it. Start by checking the video's "About" tab (below the description) to see if the creator has marked it with a Creative Commons license. If they have, the license tells you exactly what you are allowed to do — some allow reuse with credit, others do not.

If there is no Creative Commons license, contact the creator directly through YouTube's messaging system or through contact information in their channel description. Explain what you want to do and ask for permission. Many creators will say yes, especially for educational or nonprofit use, but you need to ask first. If you cannot reach them or they say no, you cannot legally use the content.

For music in videos, the situation is more complicated because the video creator may not own the music rights — those belong to the songwriter, publisher, or record label. Even if the creator gives you permission to use the video, you may still need separate permission for the music. This is why many people use royalty-free music libraries instead when creating their own content.

Why you should not download YouTube videos

Software and websites that claim to download YouTube videos exist, but using them breaks YouTube's terms of service and can expose your computer to malware. More importantly, downloading a video you do not own and using it without permission is copyright infringement, which can result in your account being suspended, your video being removed, or legal action against you.

YouTube's own tools — Save, Share, and Clip — give you everything you need to watch, organize, and share videos legally. If you need the video for something beyond watching it, the right path is always to ask the creator for permission first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download a YouTube video if the creator says it is okay?

Even with the creator's permission, downloading violates YouTube's terms of service. However, if a creator has made their video available under a Creative Commons license that allows downloads, you can download it legally. Check the "About" tab to see if this applies. For other videos, the creator can give you permission to use the content, but YouTube's rules still prevent you from downloading the file itself.

What is the difference between saving a video and downloading it?

Saving adds the video to your YouTube library so you can find it later, but the video stays on YouTube's servers. Downloading copies the video file to your device so you can watch it without an internet connection. YouTube's Save feature works without downloading, and it is the method YouTube recommends.

Can I use a clip from a YouTube video in my TikTok or Instagram post?

Only if you have permission from the copyright holder. If the original video is marked with a Creative Commons license that allows reuse, check what the license requires — most ask for credit. If there is no such license, you need to contact the creator and ask. Posting without permission can result in your post being removed or your account being suspended.

How do I find out who owns the copyright to a YouTube video?

Click the "About" tab below the video description. The channel name listed there is usually the copyright holder. You can also look for a copyright notice in the video description itself. If the video is marked with a Creative Commons license, that section will show you the exact terms and who to credit.

What if I want to use background music from a YouTube video?

The video creator may not own the music rights, so you need permission from both the creator and the music copyright holder. This is often complicated and rarely granted. Instead, use a royalty-free music library like YouTube Audio Library (free for YouTube creators), Epidemic Sound, or Artlist, where you can legally use music in your projects.