Next month, YouTube will launch the ability to store videos on your phone for 48 hours within the mobile app. This means that you can also watch videos without an internet connection. Before we get to that point, we've listed a few options for watching offline YouTube videos.
The fact that Google now, after more than 7 years of ownership of YouTube, now offers the possibility to watch YouTube videos offline, is a drastic change. The company will also offer advertisements on the downloaded videos, which you can no longer view after 48 hours, several YouTube partners have already been informed about this. People who post content on YouTube would still have the option of turning off the download function.
Google seems to be making this move because it will further expand YouTube's advertising space, meaning additional revenue.
The practical advantage for you as a viewer is that you can easily watch your favorite YouTube videos offline in an airplane or on the road. You have to prepare them yourself first; which requires some planning.
Download YouTube videos yourself
There are several legal options for downloading YouTube videos yourself to watch them on an iPad or other tablet, computer or (smart) TV. We list three of them for you:
1. Video Downloader Super
Video Downloader Super is an app that allows you to save YouTube videos very easily. The app is available on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Read here how to get the most out of this handy application.
2. YouTube Downloader HD
With YouTube Downloader HD, you can download videos from YouTube to your computer, so you can enjoy them even without an internet connection. Especially useful if you want to fill your phone or tablet with content before you travel. How exactly do you do this? You read it here.
3. BYTubeD
BYTubeD is a very handy extension for Firefox that allows you to download multiple YouTube videos at once. This can be, for example, a collection of videos from someone else, or your own playlist. Read here how you can get started with BYTubeD effectively.
4. Keepvid
Keepvid is also handy: just copy a YouTube url into the search bar from your browser and choose in which file format and in which size you want to download the video. A child can do the laundry. The videos do not come through at very high resolution, but that is usually no problem for many YouTube videos. You do need Java.
