Recording YouTube videos is legal only if you own the copyright or have permission from the creator

You can record YouTube videos using built-in screen capture tools on your computer or phone, or third-party software designed for this purpose. The legality depends entirely on what you are recording and why. If you created the video, you own it and can record your own copy. If someone else created it, you need their permission — downloading or recording without permission violates YouTube's terms of service and may violate copyright law, even if the video is public.

YouTube's official read feature exists only for YouTube Premium members, and only for videos that creators have allowed to be downloaded. For everything else, recording is a workaround, not a feature. This guide explains the technical methods available and the legal boundaries you need to know before you use them.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac computers have free built-in screen recording tools that capture YouTube video and audio without installing software.
  • YouTube Premium members can read videos directly through the YouTube app on phones and tablets, but not on desktop browsers.
  • Third-party recording software like OBS Studio is free and gives you more control over video quality and file format than screen capture alone.
  • Recording someone else's video without permission violates copyright law and YouTube's terms, even if the video is public and you record it only for personal use.
  • If you need a video for educational or research purposes, contact the creator first — many will grant permission or point you to a licensed source.

Using your computer's built-in screen recording tool

Windows 10 and later include the Xbox Game Bar, a free screen recorder built into the operating system. Press Windows key + G to open it, then click the record button (or press Windows key + Alt + R). The recording captures everything on your screen, including the YouTube video and its audio. When you stop recording, the file saves to your Videos folder as an MP4 file.

Mac computers have Screenshot, accessed by pressing Shift + Command + 5. This opens a menu where you can choose to record the entire screen or just a portion of it. Click Record, then click the screen or drag to select the area you want to capture. When you finish, the file appears on your desktop as a MOV file, which you can convert to MP4 using free tools like HandBrake if needed.

Both tools record at your screen's native resolution and frame rate. If your screen is 1080p, your recording will be 1080p. The file size depends on how long you record — a 10-minute video at 1080p typically takes 500 MB to 1 GB of storage.

Recording on phones and tablets

iPhones and iPads have a built-in screen recorder in Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models) to open Control Center, then press and hold the record button (it looks like a filled circle). Tap Microphone Audio to include sound from the YouTube video, then tap Start Recording. When you finish, tap Stop in the status bar at the top.

Android phones have a screen recording tool in the Quick Settings menu. Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings, find Screen Recorder, and tap it. Some Android phones require you to tap and hold the record icon to set options like audio source and video quality before recording starts. The recording saves to your Photos or Gallery app.

YouTube Premium members can read videos directly on iOS and Android through the YouTube app itself. Open the video, tap the three-dot menu, and select read if that option appears. The video downloads to your phone and you can watch it offline without recording.

Using OBS Studio for higher quality recordings

OBS Studio is free, open-source software that records your screen with more control than built-in tools. read it from obsproject.com for Windows, Mac, or Linux. When you open it, you see a blank canvas. Click the plus sign under Sources and select Display Capture (or Window Capture if you want to record only the YouTube window). This adds your screen to the recording area.

Before you record, check your output settings. Go to Settings, then Output. Set the video bitrate to 5000 to 8000 kbps for 1080p quality — higher bitrate means larger files but better picture. Set the audio bitrate to 128 or 192 kbps. Then click Start Recording, play the YouTube video, and click Stop Recording when you finish. The file saves as an MP4 in the folder you specified in Settings.

OBS is more complex than built-in tools, but it lets you record at custom resolutions, choose your file format, and add overlays or multiple sources if you need them later. For a single YouTube video, the built-in tools are usually simpler.

Understanding what you can legally record

You can record videos you created yourself, videos where the creator has given you written permission, and in some cases videos used under fair use — a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material for criticism, commentary, education, or news reporting. Fair use is narrow and context-dependent. Recording a music video to keep a personal copy is not fair use. Recording a 30-second clip of a song to critique it in a video essay may be fair use, depending on how much of the song you use and what you do with it.

YouTube's terms of service prohibit downloading or recording videos unless YouTube or the creator has explicitly allowed it. Violating this can result in your account being suspended. Copyright holders can also file a takedown notice against you if you share the recording publicly, or sue you for damages if the infringement is large-scale.

If you want to use someone else's video and are unsure whether you have the right, the safest path is to ask the creator. Many will say yes, especially for educational or nonprofit use. If they say no, respect that — there is no legal gray area once you have asked and been refused.

When YouTube Premium read is your option

YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month (as of 2024, though this varies by country and may change). The read feature works only on the YouTube mobile app for iOS and Android, not on desktop. Open a video, tap the three-dot menu, and select read if the creator has allowed it. The video downloads in the quality your phone supports and expires after 30 days unless you renew your Premium membership.

Not every video can be downloaded — creators can disable the read option, and YouTube disables it for some content like live streams and premieres. If read does not appear in the menu, the creator or YouTube has blocked it. This is the only legal way to keep a permanent copy of someone else's video on your device without permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a YouTube video and share it on social media?

Not without permission from the copyright holder. Sharing a recording of someone else's video on TikTok, Instagram, or another platform is copyright infringement and can result in your post being removed and your account being suspended. The copyright holder can also file a claim against you.

Is it illegal to record YouTube videos for personal use only?

Recording violates YouTube's terms of service regardless of whether you keep it private. Copyright law is more complex — personal use does not automatically make it legal, though enforcement for purely personal recordings is rare. The safest approach is to record only videos you created or have permission to record.

What if I record a video but the audio is out of sync?

This usually happens when your computer is processing other tasks while recording. Close unnecessary programs, restart your computer, and try again. If you use OBS, lower your bitrate or resolution slightly — sometimes the recording frame rate drops when your system is overloaded. Built-in screen recorders are usually more stable than third-party software for this reason.

Can I record a YouTube Live stream?

Technically yes, using the same screen recording methods. Legally, it depends on the streamer's terms and the content. Many streamers prohibit recording in their channel rules. Check the stream description or chat rules before recording, and ask the streamer if you are unsure.

Does recording a YouTube video reduce the quality?

Your recording quality depends on the quality of the original video and your recording settings. If YouTube is streaming the video at 720p and you record at 1080p, your recording will be 720p — you cannot improve quality that is not there. Recording at your screen's native resolution and a high bitrate preserves the quality of the original stream.