YouTube doesn't have a built-in download button for music in your library or Shorts
If you're looking for a way to save music from YouTube directly through YouTube itself, you won't find one. YouTube's terms of service don't permit downloading copyrighted music to your device, even from your own library. What you can do instead is stream that music through YouTube Music (YouTube's subscription service), use YouTube's offline feature if you have a paid account, or use a third-party tool — though third-party downloaders exist in a legal gray area and may violate YouTube's terms.
The distinction matters: YouTube distinguishes between your library (playlists and saved videos you've added) and Shorts (the short-form video clips, which often contain music). Neither has a native download option in the free version of YouTube.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube's free version does not offer a download feature for music in your library or Shorts, and downloading copyrighted music without permission violates YouTube's terms of service.
- YouTube Music Premium ($10.99 per month or included with YouTube Premium) lets you save music offline directly within the app for 30 days at a time.
- Third-party download tools can extract audio from YouTube videos, but they operate outside YouTube's terms and may expose your device to malware or legal risk.
- If the music is from an independent artist or is royalty-free, the artist may have posted a download link in the video description or on their own website.
Using YouTube Music Premium to save music offline
If you subscribe to YouTube Music Premium or YouTube Premium, you can save music to your device for offline listening. Open the YouTube Music app, find the song or album you want, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Download." The download stays on your device for 30 days; after that, YouTube Music checks your subscription status and removes it if you're no longer subscribed.
This is the legal, straightforward path if you want offline access. The music remains playable only within the YouTube Music app — you can't transfer it to another player or share it. YouTube Music Premium costs $10.99 per month as a standalone subscription, or $14.99 per month for YouTube Premium, which includes ad-free YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube TV.
What third-party downloaders do and why they carry risk
Third-party tools like yt-dlp, 4K Video Downloader, or online converters can extract audio from YouTube videos and save it as an MP3 or other format. They work by capturing the video stream and converting it to audio. However, using these tools to download copyrighted music violates YouTube's terms of service and may violate copyright law in your country, depending on how your jurisdiction treats format-shifting.
Beyond the legal question, third-party downloaders carry practical risks. Some are bundled with malware or adware. Others may be abandoned by their creators, leaving you with a tool that stops working when YouTube changes its systems. Free online converter sites are particularly risky — they often inject ads, track your activity, or harvest data from the videos you upload.
Finding download links from independent artists
If the music is from an independent artist or a royalty-free music library, the creator may have posted a direct download link in the video description. Check there first. Many independent musicians use platforms like Bandcamp, SoundCloud, or their own websites to distribute music and often link to those pages from YouTube.
Royalty-free music sites like Free Music Archive, Incompetech, or YouTube's own Audio Library (available to YouTube creators) often allow downloads under a Creative Commons or similar license. If you find music on one of these platforms, the download is usually legal and the artist has already consented to it.
Extracting audio from Shorts specifically
Shorts are short-form videos, often 15 to 60 seconds long, and many contain music. The same rules apply: YouTube doesn't offer a download option, and third-party tools that extract audio from Shorts operate outside YouTube's terms. If you want to know what song is playing in a Short, use the "Find the song" feature — tap the music note icon at the bottom of the video, and YouTube will identify the track and link you to it on YouTube Music or Spotify.
From there, if you have YouTube Music Premium, you can save it to your device. If you don't, you can add it to a playlist, purchase it from an online music store, or stream it through a free service like Spotify or Apple Music.
Legal alternatives for music you want to own
If your goal is to own a copy of music rather than stream it, buying it is the most straightforward option. iTunes, Amazon Music, Bandcamp, and Google Play Music all sell individual tracks or albums. Prices vary, but a single track typically costs $0.99 to $1.29, and albums range from $5 to $15.
Subscription services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music let you stream unlimited music for a monthly fee, and most offer offline downloads to your device. If you listen to a wide variety of music, a subscription is usually cheaper than buying individual tracks. If you listen to only a few artists, buying their albums outright may be more economical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to download music from YouTube?
Downloading copyrighted music from YouTube without permission violates YouTube's terms of service and copyright law in most countries. The legal status depends on your jurisdiction and the copyright holder's consent. If the artist has posted a download link or the music is under a Creative Commons license, downloading is permitted.
Can I download Shorts audio to use in my own videos?
Using audio from a Short in your own video without permission is copyright infringement, even if you download it. If you want to use a song in your own content, you need a license from the copyright holder. YouTube's Audio Library offers free and paid music specifically licensed for creator use.
Why doesn't YouTube offer a download button?
YouTube doesn't own the music on its platform — record labels and artists do. Allowing downloads would require YouTube to negotiate licensing agreements with every copyright holder, which would be complex and expensive. YouTube Music Premium's offline feature works because subscribers pay for that right.
What happens if I use a third-party downloader and YouTube finds out?
YouTube can't directly detect downloads made by third-party tools, but using them violates YouTube's terms. If YouTube discovers you're using a downloader, they could suspend or terminate your account. Additionally, some downloaders expose your device to malware or data theft.
Can I download music from my own uploads to YouTube?
If you uploaded the music yourself and own the copyright, you can download it from your own channel using a screen recorder or third-party tool. However, if you uploaded someone else's music, downloading it is still copyright infringement, even though it's your own upload.