How to download music from YouTube easily and safely

YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for listening to music, watching videos, and discovering new artists.
But what if you want to listen to your favorite songs offline, without an Internet connection?
In this complete guide, we’ll explain how to download music from YouTube in a simple, safe way — and in full compliance with copyright laws.

Before getting started, it’s important to clarify something: downloading content from YouTube may violate the platform’s Terms of Service, especially if the songs are protected by copyright. Using downloaded content for commercial purposes or redistribution without authorization is illegal.

However, there are cases where downloading is allowed or tolerated — for instance, for personal and private use, or when the music is released under a Creative Commons license, is in the public domain, or the author explicitly allows downloading.

The safest and most legal way to download music from YouTube is through YouTube Premium.

What is YouTube Premium?
It’s a monthly subscription that allows you to:

• Watch videos without ads

• Listen to music with your phone screen turned off

• Download videos and songs for offline playback

• Access YouTube Music Premium

How to use it:

1. Sign up for YouTube Premium from the official website or app.

2. Open the music video you want.

3. Tap the Download button below the video.

4. Choose the quality and confirm the download.

This feature is only available on mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), not on desktop computers.

YouTube Music is the official alternative to Spotify or Apple Music for those who love streaming directly from YouTube.

Main features:

• Interface designed specifically for music

• Automatic and personalized playlists

• Offline mode with Premium subscription

• Ability to download tracks and full albums

Again, downloads are legal and safe only with an active Premium plan.

If you prefer to use a computer, there are free programs that let you download YouTube audio in MP3 format. The most popular include:

a) 4K YouTube to MP3

• Free (with optional Premium features)

• Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux

• Very easy to use: just paste the video URL

How it works:

1. Download the software from https://www.4kdownload.com

2. Paste the video link

3. Select the MP3 format

4. Click Download

b) YTD Video Downloader

• Available in both free and Pro versions

• Intuitive interface

• Can convert videos into multiple audio formats

c) ClipGrab

• Open source

• Supports multiple sites, not just YouTube

• Includes a built-in MP3 converter

💡 Even if the software itself is legal, downloading copyrighted material without permission remains illegal.

If you don’t want to install any software, there are free websites that can extract audio from a video in seconds.

Popular examples (always check safety first):

• YTMP3.cc

• 320ytmp3.com

• Y2Mate.com

• SaveTheVideo.com

How to use them:

1. Copy the video URL from YouTube

2. Paste it into the website’s input field

3. Choose the format (MP3 or MP4)

4. Click Convert and then Download

⚠️ Warning: Many of these sites display aggressive ads or may contain malware. Always use a good antivirus and avoid clicking suspicious banners.

👉 For a detailed list with pros, cons, and safe download tips, check out our complete guide to the best websites for downloading music from YouTube.

Android

Some apps let you download music from YouTube, but they’re not available on Google Play Store for legal reasons.
Among the most popular:

a) NewPipe

• Open-source app

• No ads

• Allows downloading both audio and video

• Requires manual installation (APK)
  Available from the official website or F-Droid.

b) Snaptube

• Unofficial app

• Offers downloads in multiple formats

• Includes a built-in music player

⚠️ Again, install only from trusted sources.

iPhone / iPad (iOS)

Apple’s restrictions make it much harder to use apps for downloading YouTube music.
Alternatives include:

• Using YouTube Premium

• Using a browser with a download manager, like Documents by Readdle

• Downloading MP3 files from websites via Safari and saving them locally

Some extensions allow direct downloads from YouTube, but many are removed from official stores due to policy violations.

A functional example:

• Tampermonkey + custom scripts

However, this approach is more advanced and less user-friendly. If you’re not tech-savvy, it’s better to stick with the previous methods.

If you’re looking for free, copyright-free music to use in videos, podcasts, or projects, there are many legal and safe sources:

a) YouTube Audio Library

• Accessible at https://studio.youtube.com

• Hundreds of free, no-copyright songs

• Searchable by genre, duration, and mood

b) Free Music Archive (FMA)

• Collection of songs under Creative Commons licenses

c) Jamendo

• Great source for royalty-free and commercial use music

These platforms let you download music safely — perfect for personal or commercial use (always double-check the license).

• Use only trusted software and websites

• Avoid pop-ups and misleading ads

• Keep a good antivirus active

• Verify that the content is copyright-free

• Don’t share illegally downloaded material publicly

Downloading music from YouTube is absolutely possible, but it must be done responsibly. If you want a legal and safe solution, YouTube Premium is your best option. If you’re looking for copyright-free tracks, rely on YouTube Audio Library or other free archives.

Whatever method you choose, always respect artists’ rights. Listening to music offline is convenient — but it should always be done ethically and safely.