The simplest way to download YouTube videos on iPad
YouTube's official app does not let you save videos to your iPad's storage. Instead, you have three practical routes: use YouTube Premium's offline feature (which stores videos temporarily in the app), use a third-party app from the App Store that downloads videos, or use a web-based downloader through Safari.
The fastest option for most people is YouTube Premium's offline feature. When you subscribe, you can tap the download icon on any video and it saves to the YouTube app for up to 30 days. The video stays only in the app — you cannot move it to your Files or share it elsewhere — but it plays without an internet connection.
If you do not want to pay for YouTube Premium, third-party apps like Documents by Readdle, Infuse, or VLC can download videos, though the process is slower and requires more steps. Web-based downloaders work through Safari but are less reliable because YouTube actively blocks them.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium's offline feature is the official way to watch videos without internet, but videos expire after 30 days and stay only in the YouTube app.
- Third-party apps from the App Store can download videos permanently to your iPad, but they work around YouTube's restrictions and may stop working without notice.
- Web-based downloaders accessed through Safari are free but unreliable because YouTube blocks them regularly.
- Downloaded videos cannot be edited, uploaded elsewhere, or shared with other apps unless you use a third-party app that explicitly allows it.
- Downloading copyrighted content you do not own may violate YouTube's terms of service and copyright law depending on your location and the video's license.
Using YouTube Premium's offline download feature
If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, the built-in offline feature is the most stable option. Open the YouTube app, find the video you want to watch offline, and tap the download icon (a downward arrow) below the video title. The video downloads to your device and appears in a "Downloads" tab at the bottom of the app.
Downloaded videos stay on your iPad for up to 30 days, then delete automatically. You can manually delete them sooner by swiping left on the video in your Downloads tab and tapping the trash icon. The video quality depends on your internet connection when you download it — if you are on WiFi, YouTube downloads a higher quality version than if you are on cellular data.
This method works only for videos you have permission to download. Some creators restrict downloads, and YouTube will not let you save those videos even with Premium. You also cannot download entire playlists or channels at once — you must download videos individually.
Downloading videos with third-party apps
Apps like Documents by Readdle, Infuse, VLC, and Paw can download YouTube videos and save them permanently to your iPad. These apps work by copying the video's web address (URL) from YouTube, then downloading the video file directly. The downloaded video appears in the app's library and does not expire.
To download a video this way, open YouTube in Safari, find the video you want, tap the Share button, and copy the link. Then open your third-party app, paste the link into the download field, choose your video quality, and tap download. The process takes a few minutes depending on the video length and your internet speed.
The main drawback is that these apps work around YouTube's terms of service. YouTube can block them at any time, and when that happens, the app stops working until the developer finds a workaround. Some apps are more reliable than others — Documents by Readdle and VLC are updated frequently and tend to work longer than smaller apps.
Using web-based downloaders through Safari
Websites like y2mate.com, savefrom.net, and clipconverter.cc let you paste a YouTube link and download the video without installing an app. Open Safari, go to one of these sites, paste your YouTube video URL into the text box, select your preferred quality, and tap download.
Web-based downloaders are free and require no app installation, but they are unreliable. YouTube actively blocks these sites, so they frequently go down or stop working. When you tap download, the site may show an error message or redirect you to an ad instead of starting the download. You may need to try multiple sites before one works.
Downloaded videos from these sites usually appear in your iPad's Files app or Downloads folder, depending on which browser you use and how you configured it. Some sites also let you choose the file format — MP4 is the most common and works with most iPad apps.
Understanding iPad storage and file management
Downloaded videos take up significant space on your iPad. A one-hour video at standard quality uses roughly 500 MB to 1 GB of storage. A two-hour movie at high quality can use 2 to 4 GB. Before downloading multiple videos, check how much free space you have by opening Settings, tapping General, then About, and looking at the "Available" number.
Videos downloaded through third-party apps save to that app's storage, not to your main Files app. This means you can only watch them in that specific app — you cannot move them to another app or edit them without exporting them first. YouTube Premium's downloads work the same way: they stay locked in the YouTube app.
If you want to free up space, delete videos from your iPad by opening the app where they are stored, finding the video, and tapping delete or the trash icon. Deleting a downloaded video does not delete it from YouTube — you can always download it again later.
Legal and terms of service considerations
Downloading YouTube videos is permitted by YouTube's terms of service only through YouTube Premium's official offline feature. Downloading videos through third-party apps or web-based downloaders violates YouTube's terms, even if the video is free to watch.
Copyright law in most countries allows you to download videos you created or own, or videos that are licensed under Creative Commons or similar open licenses. Downloading copyrighted videos you do not own — music videos, movies, TV shows, or other professional content — may be illegal depending on your location and the video's copyright status.
If you are downloading videos for personal, non-commercial use and the creator has given permission, you are on safer legal ground. If you are downloading to re-upload elsewhere, sell, or distribute, that is copyright infringement in most places. When in doubt, contact the video creator and ask for permission before downloading.
Troubleshooting common download problems
If a video will not download through YouTube Premium, the creator may have disabled downloads for that video. Check whether the download icon appears below the video title — if it is missing or grayed out, you cannot download that video. Try a different video to confirm your Premium subscription is working.
If a third-party app stops downloading videos, YouTube has likely blocked it. Try a different app or check whether the app developer has released an update. Uninstall the old version, install the latest version from the App Store, and try again. If the app still does not work after updating, switch to a different downloader.
If a web-based downloader shows an error or redirects to ads, try a different site from the list above. If none of them work, YouTube may have blocked all of them temporarily. Wait a few hours and try again, or switch to a third-party app instead.
If your downloaded video will not play, the file may be corrupted or in a format your iPad does not support. Try downloading the video again at a lower quality setting. If it still will not play, try opening it in a different app — VLC plays almost any video format, while the default Videos app is more limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download YouTube videos on iPad without paying for Premium?
Yes. Third-party apps like Documents by Readdle and VLC download videos for free, and web-based downloaders like y2mate.com also work without payment. Both methods violate YouTube's terms of service, but they are free. YouTube Premium is the official method, but it costs money and videos expire after 30 days.
Do downloaded videos take up a lot of storage space?
Yes. A one-hour video at standard quality uses 500 MB to 1 GB. High-quality videos use 2 to 4 GB per hour. Check your available storage in Settings > General > About before downloading multiple videos. Delete videos you no longer need to free up space.
Can I edit or share downloaded videos with other apps?
Videos downloaded through YouTube Premium stay locked in the YouTube app and cannot be edited or shared. Videos downloaded through third-party apps may be movable to other apps depending on which app you used — VLC and Documents by Readdle let you export videos, while others do not. Check your app's settings to see if export is available.
What happens if the app I use to download stops working?
YouTube blocks downloaders regularly, so apps and websites stop working without warning. When that happens, switch to a different app or website. Third-party apps update frequently to stay ahead of YouTube's blocks, so check the App Store for updates. If your favorite app stops working permanently, try Documents by Readdle or VLC, which are updated regularly.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
Downloading through YouTube Premium is legal and permitted. Downloading through third-party apps or websites violates YouTube's terms of service. Copyright law allows you to download videos you created, own, or that have open licenses like Creative Commons. Downloading copyrighted videos you do not own may be illegal depending on your location and how you use the video.