How to Download YouTube Shorts for Free
YouTube Shorts are vertical videos under 60 seconds, similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels. While YouTube makes it easy to watch and share Shorts, there is no built-in way to download YouTube Shorts to your device. The app does not offer a save-to-device option, and right-clicking does not work in the browser. Here is how to save any Short as an MP4 file.
What Are YouTube Shorts and Why You Cannot Save Them
YouTube Shorts launched as YouTube's answer to short-form vertical video. They appear in a dedicated Shorts feed on mobile and in a special section on desktop. Unlike regular YouTube videos, Shorts do not have a download button, even for YouTube Premium subscribers (Premium only allows offline viewing within the app, not actual file downloads).
The reason is straightforward: YouTube wants users to watch content inside their platform, not save it locally. But there are valid reasons to want a local copy. You might want to save your own Shorts for backup, save a tutorial for offline reference, or compile clips you have permission to use.
How to Find the URL for a YouTube Short
Before you can download, you need the URL. Finding it differs between mobile and desktop.
On mobile (iOS and Android):
- Open the YouTube app and find the Short you want.
- Tap the Share button (the arrow icon).
- Tap "Copy link." The URL is now in your clipboard.
On desktop:
- Open the Short in your browser. The URL will look like
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VIDEOID. - Copy the URL from the address bar.
Both URL formats work: the full youtube.com/shorts/ URL and the shortened youtu.be/ format.
Step-by-Step Download Process
Once you have the URL, the download takes about 15 seconds:
- Open the YouTube Shorts Downloader on LoveConverts.
- Paste the URL into the input field.
- Click Download. The tool processes the video and shows available quality options.
- Select your preferred quality and save the MP4 file to your device.
No app installation needed. No account required. Works directly in your browser on any device.
Quality and Format Details
YouTube Shorts are uploaded in vertical format (9:16 aspect ratio), typically at 1080x1920 resolution. When you download, you will usually see these options:
- 1080p: Full quality. Best option if available. File size is typically 5-15MB for a 60-second Short.
- 720p: Good quality, smaller file. Works well for most purposes.
- 480p or lower: Significantly smaller files but noticeably lower quality.
The downloaded file is always MP4 format, which plays on every device and operating system. You can open it with VLC, QuickTime, Windows Media Player, or any video player.
Downloading on iPhone and Android
The process works on phones, though the file saving step varies by platform.
On iPhone (Safari): After clicking download, Safari may show a download prompt at the top of the screen. Tap the download arrow, then find the file in the Files app under Downloads. From there you can save it to your Camera Roll.
On Android (Chrome): Chrome downloads the file directly to your Downloads folder. You can find it in your Files app or in the Photos app depending on your phone manufacturer.
If Safari or Chrome gives you trouble, try using a different browser like Firefox, which handles downloads more consistently on mobile.
Shorts vs Regular YouTube Videos
The same YouTube Downloader tool on LoveConverts handles both regular videos and Shorts. The only difference is the URL format. Regular videos use youtube.com/watch?v= while Shorts use youtube.com/shorts/. Both work with either downloader tool.
If you find yourself downloading many videos, you might prefer the regular YouTube Downloader page since it supports additional quality options for longer videos, including audio-only downloads.
A Note on Fair Use
Downloading YouTube Shorts is meant for personal use. Acceptable uses include watching offline, backing up your own content, and saving videos you have explicit permission to use. Do not download other creators' Shorts and re-upload them as your own. That violates copyright and YouTube's terms of service.
If you are a creator and want to repurpose your own Shorts, downloading is the fastest way to get a clean copy without the YouTube interface around it. You can then edit it, add it to a compilation, or upload it to another platform.
