How to Download YouTube Videos on iPhone (Safari, No App)
Step-by-step guide to saving a YouTube video on iPhone or iPad with Safari, finding it in Files and moving it to Photos.
Choose a download tool
Save the video in five steps
Open YouTube, tap Share on the video and choose Copy Link. Open Safari and go to yt1s.ink. Paste the link, choose 720p for a good balance of size and detail, and tap Download.
When the link is ready, Safari asks whether to download the file. Tap Download. A small download arrow appears in the Safari toolbar while it saves.
Find the file and move it to Photos
Open the Files app, then Downloads. The video is there as an MP4. Tap it to play. To put it in your camera roll, touch and hold the file, choose Share and then Save Video.
Audio saved as M4A plays from Files too. It will not appear in the Music app automatically.
If the download does not start
Use Safari rather than an in-app browser from another app, which often blocks downloads. Turn off Low Data Mode for large files, and keep Safari open until the download finishes.
If a link has expired, return to the page and prepare the video again. See the troubleshooting guide for other causes.
Conclusion
Copy the link, paste it in Safari, download, then check the Files app. Only save videos you have the right to keep.
FAQ
Do I need an app on iPhone?
No. Safari on iOS 13 or later can download the prepared file.
Where do downloads go on iPhone?
They are saved to Files, in the Downloads folder. You can then save the video to Photos.
Does it work on iPad?
Yes. iPadOS Safari works the same way.
Can I download 4K on iPhone?
No. The maximum is 1080p, depending on the source video.