Guidelines for Downloading YouTube Shorts Easily

YouTube introduced Shorts as a direct response to the popularity of TikTok and Instagram Reels, but it currently lacks a critical feature: the ability to download these short videos directly to your device—except for the Shorts that you create yourself. However, if you’re eager to save your favorite content for offline viewing, there are effective methods to achieve this. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to download YouTube Shorts.

1. Downloading Your Own Shorts via YouTube Studio

If you’re looking to download your own YouTube Shorts, you can easily do so without any third-party applications. To get started, log into your YouTube account on the desired device. If you’re using a desktop computer, click on your profile picture located in the upper right corner, then select YouTube Studio.

Clicking on 'YouTube Studio' in YouTube on PC.

Next, navigate to the Content section in the left-hand menu. Switch to the Shorts tab on the right. Hover your cursor over the Short you wish to download and click on the three-dot icon that will appear below it.

From the dropdown menu, select Download.

Selecting the 'Download' button for own Short on YouTube on PC.

On the mobile app, tap your profile picture located in the bottom right corner and select Your videos. Then switch to the Shorts tab. Tap the three dots next to the Short you want to download, and select Delete to remove it from your account.

Opting to download own Short via YouTube mobile app.

2. Using a Web Tool to Download Others’ YouTube Shorts

Most viewers will likely want to download Shorts created by other users. In this case, utilizing a dedicated web tool is the most straightforward approach, accessible through any browser on your PC or mobile device.

Many websites offer social media content download services. For this tutorial, we will use SaveTube, with SaveFrom.net being another reputable option.

Open your chosen site and navigate to YouTube.

If you’re on a PC, click on Shorts to access the short-form video feed.

Switching to 'Shorts' section in YouTube on PC.

Locate the Short you want to download and press the Share button on the right. Then click the Copy button next to the generated link.

Copying link to Short on YouTube on PC via Share menu.

Alternatively, you can copy the link directly from the address bar while viewing the specific Short.

On mobile, tap the Shorts tab at the bottom, press the Share button, and select Copy link.

Pressing 'Share' button on Short in YouTube on mobile.

Tapping 'Copy link' option for Short in YouTube app on mobile.

Now switch to SaveTube in your browser, paste the copied link in the address bar, and wait a few moments for the site to recognize the video.

Select your preferred download format, then click on the Get Link button.

Opting quality for video download on SaveTube website.

The video should initiate the download immediately after that.

3. Downloading Using a Third-Party Mobile App

If you frequently download videos from social media platforms, including YouTube Shorts, you may want to consider installing a third-party application on your device.

For Android users, the SaveFrom app is an excellent choice. However, such apps are less common on iOS, so utilizing the web tool mentioned above would be your best option.

After opening the app, paste the URL you previously copied from YouTube into the designated bar. Wait for a moment.

Pressing 'Download' button in SaveFrom app on Android.

Once the video thumbnail loads, you can choose your desired video quality and click on the Download icon to begin the download process.

After the video has been downloaded, you will see the file path on your device. Tap it to view the stored clip.

Tapping link in SaveFrom app on Android to view downloaded YouTube Short.

If you’re using alternative YouTube clients like NewPipe or LibreTube, they may also allow downloads of Shorts, though availability and functionality can vary. Remember that these apps typically aren’t found in the Google Play Store, so you’ll need to download them as APK files. Always use reliable sources when obtaining APKs or visit the official websites of these applications.

Recently, YouTube has rolled out new features to streamline the Shorts creation process as part of a broader strategy to enhance short-form video content. If you’re interested in exploring these tools, check out our post detailing all the recent updates. Additionally, you might be interested in learning how to watch YouTube Shorts in landscape mode. Our guide provides step-by-step instructions for those looking to enhance their viewing experience.

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