Download YouTube Video
A YouTube downloader that feels like an app
Y2mate is a YouTube video downloader built for the moment you simply want the file. There is nothing to install and no account to create: copy a link from YouTube, drop it into the box above and your options appear on the same page, usually within a second or two.
Every quality YouTube offers for the video is shown as a big, tappable card with its file size, so you can see what you are getting before you tap. Videos come as MP4, audio as MP3, and everything works the same way on a phone, a tablet or a computer.
How it works
Download YouTube videos in three taps
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Step 1: Copy the link
Open the video in the YouTube app or on the website and copy its address. Share › Copy link works for regular videos and Shorts alike.
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Step 2: Drop it into Y2mate
Tap Paste or press Ctrl+V in the box at the top. Y2mate starts by itself as soon as it recognises a YouTube link and shows the thumbnail right away.
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Step 3: Pick a quality and save
Choose Video for MP4 or Audio for MP3, then tap the card with the quality you want. The file opens in its own tab, ready to save.
Features
Everything you need, nothing you don’t
A clean tool that does one job well: turning a YouTube link into a file on your device, as quickly as possible.
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Every quality on offer
Y2mate lists each resolution YouTube provides for the video, from crisp 1080p down to data-friendly 144p, each with its file size.
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No account, no sign-up
Open the page and paste. There is no login, no email address to hand over and no download counter.
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Nothing to install
Everything happens in your browser, so there are no apps, extensions or installers involved.
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MP3 audio in one tap
Switch to Audio when all you want is the soundtrack of a talk, a song or a podcast episode.
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Ready for Shorts
Paste a Shorts link exactly as YouTube gives it to you. Vertical videos download like any other.
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Quick from the first tap
The thumbnail appears the instant you paste, lookups are answered by a server near you, and repeat requests for the same video are answered from a short cache.
Quality guide
How much space does each quality take?
Each bar shows roughly what one minute of video weighs. Sharper pictures cost more megabytes, so pick the lowest step that still looks good where you watch.
| Quality | Ideal for | Approx. size per minute |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p FHD Anything you watch on a TV, a monitor or a laptop | Anything you watch on a TV, a monitor or a laptop | ≈ 15 MB |
| 720p HD Phones and tablets: a sharp picture at about half the size | Phones and tablets: a sharp picture at about half the size | ≈ 8 MB |
| 480p Small screens, and keeping long videos manageable | Small screens, and keeping long videos manageable | ≈ 4 MB |
| 360p Lectures, talks and slow mobile connections | Lectures, talks and slow mobile connections | ≈ 2.5 MB |
| 240p Tiny files for a quick look at the picture | Tiny files for a quick look at the picture | ≈ 1.2 MB |
| 144p The smallest possible video file | The smallest possible video file | ≈ 0.6 MB |
| MP3 128 kbps Songs and spoken word, without the picture | Songs and spoken word, without the picture | ≈ 1 MB |
Sizes vary from video to video: fast motion and 60 fps footage are larger, slides and talks smaller. Each card in the result shows the file size YouTube reports, before you download anything.
On the go
Shorts and phone downloads
Most YouTube links are copied on a phone, so Y2mate is designed for one thumb. The paste button sits inside the box, the options are big cards instead of tiny links, and the result scrolls into view by itself.
Shorts work exactly like regular videos. Open the Short in the YouTube app, hit Share, then Copy link, and paste it here. The vertical video downloads as an MP4 in the sizes YouTube offers, and the Audio tab gives you just the sound.
Shortcut on a computer
Watching on YouTube already? Swap “youtube.com” at the start of the address for this site’s address and press Enter. Watch links and Shorts links both open in Y2mate with the video ready to go.
Works on every device
Y2mate runs in any modern browser. Here is where your files end up.
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Android
In Chrome the file opens in a fresh tab; if it starts playing, tap ⋮ › Download. Files land in Downloads and your gallery.
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iPhone & iPad
In Safari, if the video plays instead of saving, tap Share › Save to Files. You’ll find it in the Files app.
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Windows
Works in Edge, Chrome and Firefox. If the video plays in the new tab, right-click it and choose Save video as.
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Mac
Safari, Chrome or Firefox. Right-click a playing video and choose Download Video or Save video as.
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Linux
Firefox and Chromium work out of the box, with nothing to add from a package manager.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Y2mate free to use?
Yes. Y2mate is free, with no account and no sign-up. You can look up and save as many videos as you want.
How do I download a YouTube video?
Grab the video’s link, paste it into the box at the top of this page and give it a moment. Choose Video or Audio, then tap the quality you want. The file opens in its own tab so you can save it.
Which qualities can I download?
It depends on what YouTube has for that particular video. For most uploads that means MP4 from 1080p down to 144p, plus an MP3 audio track. Older or low-resolution uploads show fewer options.
Can I download YouTube Shorts?
Absolutely. Drop the Shorts link in as it is, or open it in Y2mate by swapping “youtube.com” in the link for this site’s address. Shorts are saved as vertical MP4 files.
Does Y2mate work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. It runs in the browser on iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Windows, Mac, Linux and Chromebooks. There is no app to install.
Why does the video play instead of downloading?
Some browsers start playing a video file right away rather than saving it. Use the player’s menu and choose Download, or right-click the video and pick Save video as. On iPhone, tap Share and then Save to Files.
Do the download links expire?
Yes. YouTube’s file links only work for a few hours. If you leave the page open for a long time, Y2mate fetches fresh links when you tap Download and asks you to tap once more.
Does Y2mate keep a copy of the videos?
No. Files come straight from YouTube’s servers to your device. Y2mate only keeps basic details such as the title and the list of formats in a short cache of up to an hour, to make repeat lookups faster.
Why can’t some videos be downloaded?
Private, age-restricted, members-only and region-blocked videos, as well as live streams that are still running, usually can’t be looked up. If a public video fails, wait a few seconds and try again.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos?
It depends on the video and where you live. Download only content you own, content that is clearly licensed for reuse or videos you have permission to save, and keep them for personal use. Our Terms of Service explain more.
Got a link ready?
Paste it in the box at the top and your download options appear right below it.