Save Youtube Videos, Short, Transcript and Subtitles in HD quality for free
You can download a YouTube video on your iPhone without installing any app. Copy the video link, paste it into the download box above in Safari, choose a quality, and tap Download. The video is saved to the Files app, and you can move it to Photos if you like.
The steps below show how to do it from start to finish, where to find your video afterwards, and what to do if something does not work.
Step 1: Copy the YouTube video link
Open the video in the YouTube app, tap Share, then tap Copy link. If you are watching in a browser, tap the Share button and choose Copy, or copy the address from the address bar.
Step 2: Open SaveLinkTube in Safari and paste the link
Open SaveLinkTube in Safari. Tap the input box, tap it again or press and hold, choose Paste, and then tap the Download button. Make sure the link points to a single video, not to a channel or playlist page.
Step 3: Choose a quality
SaveLinkTube lists the MP4 qualities available for the video. For an iPhone, 720p or 1080p is usually the best balance of sharpness and file size.
Step 4: Tap Download and confirm
Tap the quality you want. Safari asks whether you want to download the file. Tap Download, and keep Safari open until the download finishes.
Step 5: Open the downloaded video
When the download starts, a Downloads button appears in Safari's address bar. Tap it and select the video to open it. You can also open the Files app and look in the Downloads folder.
Safari saves downloaded files to the Files app, not to the Photos app. Open Files and look in the Downloads folder, which is under iCloud Drive or On My iPhone depending on your settings. To change the location, go to Settings, then Safari, then Downloads.
Open the Files app and tap the video to preview it. Tap the Share button, then choose Save Video. The video will then appear in your Photos library. If you do not see Save Video, the file format may not be supported by Photos. Try downloading the video again in 1080p.
For most iPhones, 720p or 1080p looks sharp on the screen and keeps files small enough to save storage and download quickly. 4K and 8K files, when a video offers them, are much larger and take longer to download. Some iPhones may not play the largest files smoothly or save them to Photos, so 1080p is the safest choice for compatibility.
The video opens in a player instead of downloading
Press and hold the download link or button, then choose Download Linked File from the menu.
I cannot find the Downloads button
The button appears in Safari's address bar after a download starts. If you do not see it, open the Files app and check the Downloads folder.
The video will not play or save to Photos
Try downloading it again in a lower quality such as 1080p. You can also open the file in another video player app.
The download is slow or stops
Higher qualities create larger files. Keep Safari open while it downloads, make sure you have enough free storage, and try a lower quality if your connection is slow.
For more fixes, see our troubleshooting guide.
Can I download YouTube videos on iPhone without an app?
Yes. SaveLinkTube runs in Safari, so you do not need to install a separate downloader app.
Why is the downloaded video not in my Photos app?
Safari saves downloads to the Files app. Open the video in Files and use Share, then Save Video, to add it to Photos.
Does it work in Chrome or other browsers on iPhone?
Safari is the recommended browser. Other browsers may handle downloads differently, so if something does not work, try again in Safari.
Can I download in 4K on iPhone?
If the original video offers 4K, you can choose it. The files are large, and 1080p is usually enough for an iPhone screen.
Can I watch the video without internet?
Yes. Once the file is saved on your iPhone, you can watch it offline. Only download videos that you own or have permission to save.
Found a video you want to watch later? Copy its YouTube link, paste it into the box above, and choose an available quality to get started.