YouTube media downloader
YouTube Downloader
Use the MediDown YouTube Downloader to inspect public or user-authorized YouTube links before choosing a video, audio, subtitle, or thumbnail option. The page is built for creators, editors, educators, and teams who need a clear way to save media they own or have permission to use.
YouTube guide
YouTube downloader details
Use MediDown as a YouTube video downloader, YouTube Shorts downloader, YouTube audio downloader, YouTube to MP3 helper, YouTube thumbnail downloader HD, and YouTube subtitle downloader for public or user-authorized links.
Best for
- Long-form public videos
- YouTube Shorts
- Audio extraction for owned content
- Thumbnail checks and downloads
- Subtitle review when tracks are exposed
Supported YouTube links
- youtube.com/watch links
- youtu.be short links
- youtube.com/shorts links
- embed links when a video ID is visible
Download options
- Recommended video with audio
- Exact video-only streams
- Audio-only formats
- Thumbnail images
- Subtitle tracks when available
Helpful notes
- Use the recommended download first when you need normal playback with sound.
- Choose exact formats only when you understand whether the stream includes audio.
- If max resolution thumbnails are missing, use the best available thumbnail size.
Allowed use examples
- Backing up your own uploaded videos
- Saving thumbnails or captions for your own channel
- Classroom or research review when permitted
- Editing creator-owned clips with permission
What common errors mean
- Video-only means the selected stream has no audio track.
- No subtitles means the video does not expose public caption tracks.
- Quality missing means the original upload or public response does not provide that resolution.
Understanding YouTube Video Formats
YouTube videos can expose MP4, WebM, video-only, audio-only, thumbnail, and caption options depending on the original upload. MediDown shows what the public or user-authorized source makes available without inventing missing formats.
Quality Options
Available quality can range from small mobile previews to HD, Full HD, 2K, 4K, or 8K. The downloader labels the best available choice and keeps advanced streams separate when they may require audio merging.
Thumbnails, Audio, and Subtitles
When YouTube exposes thumbnails, audio tracks, or caption files, MediDown can present those options on the same canonical YouTube Downloader page instead of creating separate duplicate pages.
How to use YouTube Downloader
- Copy the public or user-authorized media link from the source platform.
- Paste the link into the MediDown tool box on this page.
- Open the downloader, confirm your rights, and preview detected media.
- Choose a recommended download, exact format, image, thumbnail, subtitle, or ZIP option when available.
Supported formats
- Video with audio
- Video-only streams
- Audio extraction
- Subtitles when exposed
- Thumbnail download
Public or user-authorized media only. Private, login-gated, DRM-protected, paid, age-restricted, region-restricted, and policy-restricted content are not supported.
Download in the Best Available Quality
MediDown detects the highest available quality from the original public or user-authorized source. When available, users can download HD, Full HD, 2K, 4K, or 8K video, high-quality audio, original photos, thumbnails, subtitles, and multi-image ZIP files.
Available quality depends on the original upload and what each platform makes publicly available.
Limitations and safe use
MediDown does not promise that every link will work. Platforms can remove media, require login, limit public requests, change page structure, or restrict media access. That is normal for public media tooling, and the downloader is designed to show clear errors instead of implying restricted access is possible.
Public or user-authorized media only. Private, login-gated, DRM-protected, paid, age-restricted, region-restricted, and policy-restricted content are not supported.
Rights-first checklist
This page is reviewed for a public, user-authorized workflow. Before using YouTube Downloader, confirm that the source link is public, the media is yours or approved for your use, and the download will respect copyright, privacy, and the source platform rules.
- Use creator-owned media, client-approved assets, classroom material you are allowed to save, or public media where your use is legally permitted.
- Keep the original source URL and permission context with files you save for projects, teams, archives, or publication work.
- Use official platform exports when a platform offers them for private account data or restricted owner dashboards.
Last content review: May 29, 2026.
Common errors
- Age, region, private, member-only, or login-gated videos may fail.
- Some formats require server-side merging with ffmpeg.
- Video-only streams have no sound by design.
Frequently asked questions
Can I download private YouTube videos?
No. Private, login-gated, paid, or restricted videos are not supported.
Why does one YouTube file have no sound?
Some exact streams are video-only. Choose a video with audio option for normal playback.
Can I save YouTube thumbnails or subtitles?
Yes, when public thumbnail URLs or subtitle tracks are available for the video.
What video qualities are available?
Depends on the original upload: 360p through 8K when available and publicly exposed.
Does MediDown show the highest available quality?
MediDown detects the highest available quality from the original public or user-authorized source. When available, users can download HD, Full HD, 2K, 4K, or 8K video, high-quality audio, original photos, thumbnails, subtitles, and multi-image ZIP files. Available quality depends on the original upload and what each platform makes publicly available.
Can I use this for private or login-gated content?
Public or user-authorized media only. Private, login-gated, DRM-protected, paid, age-restricted, region-restricted, and policy-restricted content are not supported.
Why are some quality buttons missing?
MediDown only shows active quality choices when matching public or user-authorized formats are available.
Related tools
Explore more MediDown tools for public or user-authorized media.
Help & guides
Learn more about downloading from youtube with detailed guides.