How to Download Music from YouTube

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: December 22, 2022 Tested

Using 4K Video Downloader

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Using YouTube Music Premium

This wikiHow teaches you how to download music files from YouTube. While most YouTube media downloaders have restrictions that prevent them from downloading copyrighted audio, you can use an app called 4K Video Downloader app to rip music from any YouTube video or you can also use the VLC Media Player to download the video and rip it to the MP3 format. If you have a YouTube Music premium account you can also download music on your mobile device. Just be aware that it is illegal to download copyrighted materials, and that you should only use these methods to download music you own. Downloading music outside the YouTube premium offering is not permitted and can result in your account being terminated.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using 4K Video Downloader

1
Download and install the 4K Video Downloader setup file. Go to https://www.4kdownload.com/products/product-videodownloader in your computer's web browser, then click Get 4K Video Downloader on the left side of the page. Once the setup file finishes downloading, do the following depending on your computer's operating system:
- Windows: Double-click the setup file and then follow the on-screen setup instructions.
- Mac: Double-click the setup file, verify the installation if necessary, drag the 4K Video Downloader app icon onto the "Applications" folder, and then follow any on-screen instructions.
2
Go to the video. Open YouTube by going to https://www.youtube.com/ in your computer's web browser, then search for or navigate to the video from which you want to download music.
3
Copy the video's address. Highlight the video's URL in the address bar at the top of your browser, then press Ctrl + C (Windows) Command + C (Mac) to copy it.
4
Open 4K Video Downloader. Click the Windows Start menu or the Spotlight search on your Mac, and then type 4k video downloader. Click or double-click the 4K Video Downloader search result. You should see the small 4K Video Downloader window pop up.
- Skip this step if 4K Video Downloader automatically opens.
5
Click Paste Link. It's in the top-left corner of the window.
6
Wait for the video to finish parsing. Once you see the quality options appear in the 4K Video Downloader window, you can proceed.
7
Click the "Download Video" drop-down and select Extract Audio. It’s the menu near the top-left corner of the window.
8
Change the audio file type (optional). While the default MP3 format is the most universal audio file, you can click the Format drop-down box at the top-right side of the window to view and select a different audio format.
9
Select a quality (optional). The highest quality will be selected by default, but you can change the quality and bitrate of the audio file by checking the box to the left of one of the options in the window.
- Choose a lower bitrate if you want the file size to be smaller.
10
Click Browse to choose a save location. Select a folder on your computer to which you’ll save the new audio file, and then click Save or Choose.
11
Click Extract. It's at the bottom of the window. This begins the process of extracting the music from the video. When the conversion is complete, the file will be saved to the folder you selected.
- Double-clicking the downloaded audio file will play it in your default audio player.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using YouTube Music Premium

1
Subscribe to YouTube Music Premium. If you are a paid subscriber to YouTube Music, you have the ability to download music for offline listening when using the mobile app on an Android, iPhone, or iPad.^{[2]
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Research source} The downloaded songs will only be available for listening when you’re using the YouTube app. Use the following links to learn how to upgrade to Premium:
2
Open the YouTube Music app on your mobile device. It’s the rectangular red icon with a play icon (a sideways triangle) inside.
3
Go to a song you want to download. If you’d prefer to download a playlist, tap the Library tab at the bottom-right corner of the app, then select the playlist you want to download.
4
Tap the download arrow (for a song) or the ⁝ menu (for a playlist). If you selected the arrow, the song will now download to your phone or tablet for offline listening. If you’re downloading a playlist, continue to the next step.^{[3]
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5
Tap Download (for a playlist). The contents of the playlist will now be available for offline listening.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I know if a YouTube downloader has malware?

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido

Computer & Tech Specialist

Expert Answer

It's almost impossible, but the best way is to ask someone you trust who uses one already. You could also go to Reddit and do a search for something like "best youtube downloader." That way, you can see if someone else has searched for that already, and there should be recommendations on the thread. Just be sure to check the date—anything older than a year or two may be out of date.
Question

How do I know if it is legal?

Community Answer

It's not really, but you can't get in trouble for it. If anything, it would be the websites that provide the service that would get in trouble.
Question

Is this illegal?

Community Answer

If the music is copyrighted, yes. If not, you're good to go. Make sure you check the copyrights on the music you download.

Warnings

Distributing downloaded music for profit is illegal.

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Downloading music from YouTube—even if only for personal use—violates Google's terms of use, and maybe illegal in your region.

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Be careful using download websites; some might contain pop-up ads and false download links.

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Avoid using an unknown program to download YouTube videos, as it could contain malware. If you don't want to use one of the ones listed here, get recommendations from friends or check sites like Reddit to see what other people have used.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.}

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