2024 Ultimate Guide to Download Music from YouTube for Free

While online streaming is convenient, there are times when you might want to enjoy your favorite tunes offline – during a long commute, a road trip, or when you're in a place with limited internet access. This is where knowing how to download music from YouTube for free becomes incredibly valuable.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the most effective, safe, and legitimate ways to download music from YouTube for free. Whether you're a tech-savvy individual or a casual user, we've got you covered with step-by-step instructions and user-friendly tools that will allow you to create a personalized offline music library without any hassles.

Let's dive into the world of free music downloads and unlock the power to enjoy your favorite tracks anytime, anywhere.

Contents Guide Part 1. How to Download Music from YouTube Using YouTube Premium [Official Method]Part 2. How to Download Music from YouTube for Free [On Windows PC or MacOS Computers]Part 3. How to Download Music from YouTube for Free [On Android or iOS]Part 4. How to Download Music from YouTube for Free [The Most Recommended Tool]

Part 1. How to Download Music from YouTube Using YouTube Premium [Official Method]

YouTube Premium offers an official and hassle-free way to download music from the platform and enjoy it offline. By subscribing to YouTube Premium, you not only gain an ad-free experience but also unlock the ability to save videos and music for offline playback. Here's how to do it:

1. Subscription and Installation: Start by subscribing to YouTube Premium, which comes with a monthly fee. Once subscribed, you can access the premium features on both the website and the mobile app. Download and install the YouTube app on your device if you haven’t already.

2. Choosing Content to Download: Open the YouTube app and navigate to the video containing the music you want to download. It’s important to note that not all videos have the download option enabled due to copyright restrictions.

3. Download Music: Once you’ve selected a video, you’ll notice a “Download” button below the video player. Tap on it. If the video allows downloading, you’ll be prompted to select the video quality for the download. Choose the quality that suits your preferences and storage availability.

4. Accessing Downloaded Music: Your downloaded music can be accessed within the YouTube app. Tap on the “Library” tab, and you’ll find a section labeled “Downloads.” Here, you’ll see all the videos and music you’ve downloaded. You can play them even when you’re offline without using any data.

5. Offline Playback: Now that you have the music downloaded, you can enjoy it offline whenever you like. Remember that downloaded content will have an expiration date, which requires you to connect your device to the internet periodically to renew the downloads.

Using YouTube Premium to download music offers a legal and convenient way to build your offline music collection. It's especially suitable for those who are regular YouTube users and value ad-free content along with the ability to enjoy videos and music offline. However, if you're looking for free alternatives, stay tuned for the upcoming sections where we explore other methods to download music from YouTube without any cost or subscriptions.

Part 2. How to Download Music from YouTube for Free [On Windows PC or MacOS Computers]

Tool 01. 4K Video Downloader

4K Video Downloader offers a straightforward way to download music from YouTube for free. It's particularly useful for those who want to have a variety of quality options and formats to choose from. By following these steps, you'll be able to amass a collection of your favorite music tracks to enjoy offline, whether you're on a Windows PC or a MacOS computer.

Pros:

Multiple Formats and Quality Options: 4K Video Downloader offers a wide range of audio and video formats as well as quality settings, allowing you to customize your downloads according to your preferences.
Batch Downloads: You can queue up multiple YouTube videos for download, and 4K Video Downloader will process them one after another, saving you time and effort.
Smart Mode: This feature enables you to set default format and quality settings, streamlining the downloading process for subsequent videos.
Automatic Subtitle Downloads: If a video you’re downloading has subtitles available, 4K Video Downloader can automatically download and save them along with the video.

Cons:

Free Version Limitations: The free version of 4K Video Downloader comes with some limitations, such as downloading playlists with more than 24 videos, subscribing to YouTube channels, and downloading 3D and 360-degree videos.
Updates and Maintenance: Periodically, YouTube updates its algorithms and security measures, which could temporarily disrupt the functionality of the software until it’s updated to be compatible again.
Audio Extraction Only: While 4K Video Downloader does allow you to extract audio from videos, it’s primarily designed for video downloads. If you’re looking for a tool solely focused on audio extraction, other options might be more suitable.

Tool 02. ClipGrab

ClipGrab is an open-source and cross-platform tool designed to download videos from various platforms, including YouTube. It's available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making it versatile for users on different operating systems. Beyond video downloads, ClipGrab allows you to convert downloaded videos into various formats, including audio formats like MP3.

Pros:

Cross-Platform Compatibility: ClipGrab is compatible with multiple operating systems, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
Multiple Format Options: In addition to video downloads, ClipGrab supports video conversion into various formats, including audio formats like MP3. This flexibility is useful for users who want to extract music from videos.
Batch Downloads: You can queue up multiple videos for download, streamlining the downloading process for multiple items.
Integrated Search Function: ClipGrab includes an integrated search function that allows you to search for videos directly within the application, eliminating the need to open a web browser separately.

Cons:

Limited Support for Some Sites: While ClipGrab supports YouTube, it may not work as effectively on all video-sharing platforms. Compatibility with certain websites might be limited.
Download Speed: Similar to other download tools, ClipGrab’s download speed might vary based on factors such as your internet connection and the availability of the YouTube server.
Occasional Updates: Just like with any software, ClipGrab requires updates to stay compatible with the latest changes on websites like YouTube. Sometimes, these updates might take a little time to be released.

ClipGrab is a convenient open-source tool for downloading videos and converting them into various formats, including audio formats. Its cross-platform compatibility and simplicity make it a viable choice for those seeking a basic yet effective solution for downloading music from YouTube. However, potential limitations in terms of site compatibility and bundled offers during installation should be considered.

Part 3. How to Download Music from YouTube for Free [On Android or iOS]

Tool 01. VidMate (Android)

VidMate is a feature-rich Android app that not only allows you to download videos from YouTube but also from various other platforms. It has gained popularity for its ease of use, extensive features, and ability to download videos in different qualities. While primarily known for video downloads, VidMate also supports audio extraction, making it a suitable choice for downloading music from YouTube.

Pros:

Multiple Quality Options: VidMate lets you choose from various video and audio quality options, giving you control over the file size and download speed.
Integrated Browser: The app comes with an integrated browser that lets you search for and access videos directly within the app, streamlining the process.
Batch Downloads: You can queue up multiple downloads at once, saving time and effort when building your offline music collection.
Download Manager: The app features a built-in download manager that helps you organize and manage your downloads effectively.

Cons:

Security Concerns: VidMate is not available on the Google Play Store due to Google’s policies, which raises concerns about the app’s security and the potential risks associated with downloading and installing it from third-party sources.
Resource Consumption: Some users report that VidMate can consume significant device resources, including battery and data, especially during heavy use.
Security Updates: Since the app is not available on the Google Play Store, it might not receive timely security updates, potentially exposing your device to vulnerabilities.

Tool 02. NewPipe (Android)

NewPipe is a unique open-source Android app designed for a seamless YouTube experience. It focuses on privacy and functionality, offering features like background playback and downloading videos without ads. While it's primarily a video player, NewPipe also enables you to download audio from YouTube videos, making it an excellent choice for downloading music.

Pros:

Privacy-Centric: NewPipe prioritizes user privacy by not using any Google services or tracking user data, providing a more private browsing experience.
Background Playback: You can play YouTube videos and audio in the background or with the screen turned off, allowing you to enjoy music like you would with a dedicated music player.
Ad-Free Experience: NewPipe removes ads from videos, resulting in a cleaner and uninterrupted viewing experience.
Audio Extraction: The app allows you to extract audio from YouTube videos and save them as audio files, making it a convenient way to download music.
Lightweight: NewPipe is lightweight and doesn’t consume a lot of system resources, contributing to smoother performance on your device.

Cons:

Lack of Updates: Being an open-source project, NewPipe might have occasional delays in receiving updates and bug fixes compared to more commercially driven apps.
Limited Platform Support: NewPipe is designed for YouTube, and while it supports some other platforms, it might not provide the same breadth as other apps.

Tool 03. Shortcuts (iOS)

Shortcuts is an iOS app developed by Apple that allows users to create custom automations and workflows on their devices. While it's not primarily designed for downloading content from YouTube, you can use it to create shortcuts that automate the process of extracting audio from YouTube videos and saving them to your device.

Pros:

Custom Automation: Shortcuts empowers users to create personalized automation workflows, making it possible to streamline tasks like downloading music from YouTube.
User-Friendly Interface: The app features a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of creating and using shortcuts, even for users with limited technical expertise.
Offline Playback: By downloading audio using shortcuts, you can enjoy your favorite music offline without the need for an internet connection.
No Third-Party Apps: Since Shortcuts is an official Apple app, you don’t need to install any third-party applications to use it, potentially enhancing the security of your device.

Cons:

Manual Setup: Creating a shortcut to download music from YouTube requires manual setup and configuration, which might not be as straightforward as using dedicated apps.
Less User-Control: The customization options might be limited compared to dedicated apps, which can offer various quality settings and download options.
Learning Curve: Creating shortcuts might require some learning, especially for users who are not familiar with automation concepts.

In summary, Shortcuts for iOS allows you to create customized workflows that can automate the process of downloading music from YouTube. While it offers a unique and tailored approach, users should be aware of potential legal and ethical considerations when downloading copyrighted content. Additionally, the setup process might require some technical know-how, but it provides a valuable option for those who prefer to use official Apple apps for automation.

Part 4. How to Download Music from YouTube for Free [The Most Recommended Tool]

iOS-Unlocker’s Video Downloader Tool is a free and easy-to-use tool that allows you to download music from YouTube to your device. It is compatible with Windows and macOS computers. To use the tool, simply follow these steps:

Free Download Free Download

1. Copy the video URL. Go to the YouTube video you want to download and copy the URL from the address bar.

Paste The URL of The Youtube Video You Like

2. Select an output format. Choose the format you want to download the video in, such as MP4, MKV, or AVI. You can also choose to download the audio only in MP3 format.

3. Click "Download." Click the "Download" button to start the download process.

Choose The Output Format You Want And Download

4. Wait for the download to finish. The download process may take a few minutes, depending on the length of the video and your internet connection speed.

5. Open the downloaded video. Once the download is complete, you can open the video in your media player.

Open And Enjoy The Downloaded Items

With this video and audio downloader, you can easily download videos and audio from many popular websites, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, Niconico, Vevo, Dailymotion, SoundCloud, NASA, and Tumblr.

This tool is a powerful audio extractor that can help you save your favorite songs from videos in their original sound quality. Simply copy the video URL and paste it into the tool, and it will automatically extract the audio and save it as an MP3 file.

This is a great way to save your favorite music for offline listening or to create your own playlists. It's also a great way to support independent artists, as you can download their music without having to subscribe to a streaming service.