How to download your YouTube content

Updated: 07/13/2023 by Computer Hope
YouTube logo

Many YouTube users upload videos. At some point, you may want to download a copy of them for one reason or another. Maybe you accidentally deleted the original, want to move it to another account, or are no longer in need of YouTube's services. Whatever the reason, the following sections show you how to download one or all videos currently uploaded to your YouTube channel. To proceed, select an option from the list below and follow the instructions.

Tip

If you're looking to download a video from someone else's YouTube channel, see: How to download or save a YouTube video to my computer.

Downloading a single video

  1. Go to the YouTube website, and click YouTube sign in button in the upper-right corner (if you're not already signed in to your YouTube account).
  2. In the upper-right corner of the screen, click your profile icon.

YouTube profile icon

  1. On the drop-down menu, click YouTube Studio.

YouTube Studio selector

  1. On the left side of the screen, click the Content tab.

YouTube Studio Videos selector.

  1. Move your mouse cursor over the row containing the video you want to download.
  2. You should see a set of icons appear. Click the Options (three vertical dots) icon.

Options icon

  1. On the menu, select Download.

Downloading a video from YouTube Studio.

Downloading multiple videos

To download multiple videos, you can utilize Google Takeout using the steps below.

  1. Go to the Google Takeout website and sign in to your Google account (if you're not already logged in.)
  2. At the top of the middle section of the screen, click Deselect all.

Deselect all link on Google Takeout.

  1. Scroll to the bottom of the Select data to include section and locate YouTube and YouTube Music.
  2. Check the box to the right of the text under YouTube and YouTube Music and click the All YouTube data included button.

Selecting the YouTube data to download from Google Takeout.

  1. In the pop-up menu, check the relevant content boxes. For this example, we're only interested in videos. When you're finished, click OK.

Selecting content to download from YouTube on Google Takeout.

  1. In the same section as step 4, click the Next step button. button.
  2. On the next page, select a delivery method (A), export frequency (B), the file type (C), and file size (D).

Selecting what to export on Google Takeout.

  1. When you're satisfied with your selections, click the Create export button. button.
  2. You should see a confirmation message indicating the export process has begun.

Google Takeout export confirmation.