Recording YouTube videos is legal only when you own the content or have permission from the copyright holder

You can record YouTube videos using screen recording software built into your device, or third-party tools designed for that purpose. The legality depends entirely on what you are recording. If you created the video, you own it. If someone else created it, you need their permission — YouTube's terms of service prohibit downloading or recording most videos without consent. Fair use (using a small clip for commentary or education) exists in some cases, but it is narrow and fact-specific. Before you record anything, confirm you have the right to do so.

The methods differ by device. Windows and Mac both have built-in screen recorders. Phones have native recording tools. Dedicated software like OBS Studio (free, open-source) works across all platforms and gives you more control over quality and file size. Websites that claim to read YouTube videos directly often violate YouTube's terms and may expose your device to malware.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only legally record videos you created yourself or videos where the copyright holder has given you permission.
  • Windows 10 and later include Xbox Game Bar for screen recording; Mac has QuickTime; both are free and built in.
  • OBS Studio is a free, open-source screen recorder that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux and lets you choose video quality and file format.
  • Recording software captures everything on your screen, including audio, so close other tabs and mute notifications before you start.
  • Downloaded or recorded videos should not be uploaded to YouTube or shared publicly unless you own them or have written permission.

Using Windows built-in screen recording

Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a free screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar. Press Windows key + G to open it. A menu appears in the top-left corner of your screen with a red circle (record button), a microphone icon (to toggle audio), and a settings gear. Click the red circle to start recording. The timer shows how long you have been recording. Press the red circle again to stop.

The video saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures. File size depends on your screen resolution and how long you record — a 10-minute 1080p video is typically 500 MB to 1 GB. You can adjust audio settings before you record: click the microphone icon to record system audio (what plays from YouTube), your own voice (if you have a microphone), or both. If you want to record only the YouTube video without your voice, mute the microphone icon before you start.

Using Mac QuickTime

Mac includes QuickTime, which records your screen without any read. Open QuickTime (search for it in Spotlight or find it in Applications > Utilities). Go to File > New Screen Recording. A small menu appears with a red record button and a dropdown arrow. Click the dropdown to choose whether to record audio from your Mac's microphone, your system audio, or neither. Then click the red button to start.

Your cursor changes to a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area of your screen you want to record (or click the full screen to record everything). A floating control bar appears with a stop button. Click it when you are done. QuickTime saves the file to your Desktop by default. You can move it to another folder afterward. The file format is .mov, which plays in most video players and editing software.

Using OBS Studio for more control

OBS Studio is free, open-source software that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It gives you more options than built-in recorders: you can choose video resolution, frame rate, file format, and audio sources before you record. read it from obsproject.com. Installation takes a few minutes.

When you open OBS, you see a blank canvas. Click the + button under Sources and select Display Capture (to record your whole screen) or Window Capture (to record only the YouTube window). This tells OBS what to record. Under Audio Input Capture, add your microphone if you want to narrate. Then click the red Start Recording button. OBS records to your Videos folder by default. Stop recording by clicking Stop Recording. The file saves as an .mkv file, which you can convert to .mp4 using free software like HandBrake if needed.

OBS takes longer to learn than built-in tools, but it is worth it if you record often or need specific quality settings. The OBS website has tutorials for every feature.

Recording on iPhone or iPad

iOS and iPadOS have a built-in screen recorder. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Look for a circle with a dot inside (the screen recording icon). If you do not see it, go to Settings > Control Center and add Screen Recording. Tap the icon to start recording. A three-second countdown appears, then recording begins. The status bar at the top turns red. Tap the red status bar or open Control Center again and tap the recording icon to stop.

The video saves to your Photos app. Before you record, open Settings > Screen Recording and toggle on Microphone Audio if you want to record your voice or narration. Without it, you record only the video and app sounds from YouTube.

Recording on Android

Android does not have a universal built-in screen recorder — it varies by manufacturer and Android version. On Samsung devices, swipe down twice to open Quick Settings, look for Screen Recorder, and tap it. On other Android phones, go to Settings > Advanced Features > Screen Recorder (or search for Screen Recorder in Settings). Tap Start Recording. A countdown appears, then recording begins. Tap Stop to finish. The video saves to your Gallery or Photos app.

If your phone does not have a built-in recorder, read a free app like AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen from the Google Play Store. These work similarly: open the app, tap Record, and the video saves to your phone's storage.

What to do before you record

Close any browser tabs or apps you do not want in the recording. Mute notifications so alerts do not pop up on screen. If you are recording audio from your microphone, test it first — speak into it and play back a short test recording to check volume and clarity. Lower your screen brightness slightly if you are recording in a bright room, because glare can make the video hard to watch.

If you are recording a YouTube video that plays audio, make sure your system volume is at a level you want in the final recording. Test a few seconds of recording to hear how it sounds. Some screen recorders pick up system audio better than others — if you use a built-in tool and the audio is too quiet, try OBS instead, which has more audio control.

File formats and storage

Built-in recorders save files in formats your device uses by default: Windows saves as .mp4, Mac as .mov, and Android/iOS as .mp4. These formats play in most video players and editing software. If you record with OBS, it saves as .mkv by default, which is smaller but less universal. You can convert .mkv to .mp4 using free software like HandBrake (handbrake.fr) if you need to share the file with others.

Screen recordings are large files. A one-hour 1080p recording can be 3 to 5 GB. If you are recording long videos, check your available storage before you start. If you run out of space, the recording stops and you lose what you have not saved yet. Delete old files or move recordings to an external drive to free up space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a YouTube video and upload it to my own channel?

Only if you created the original video or have written permission from the copyright holder. Uploading someone else's content violates YouTube's terms and can result in your channel being suspended. If you want to use a clip for commentary or education, you may have a fair use argument, but it is narrow and depends on how much of the video you use and what you do with it.

Will recording a YouTube video slow down my computer?

Screen recording uses CPU power, so your computer may run slower while recording. Close other programs to free up resources. Built-in recorders use less power than third-party software. If your computer is old or has limited RAM, record at a lower resolution (720p instead of 1080p) to reduce the load.

What if the YouTube video has copyright music in it?

Recording the video captures the audio as-is. If you upload that recording to YouTube or another platform, YouTube's Content ID system may flag it for copyright infringement and mute the audio or block the video. This applies even if you recorded it yourself. Do not upload recorded YouTube videos publicly unless you own all the content in them.

Is there a way to record without the cursor showing?

Most screen recorders include a setting to hide the cursor. In Windows Game Bar, open Settings (gear icon) and toggle off Show Cursor. In Mac QuickTime, the cursor does not record by default. In OBS, go to Settings > Output and look for cursor options. Check your software's settings menu before you record.

Can I edit a recorded video after I save it?

Yes. Free editing software like DaVinci Resolve (davinciresolve.com) or OpenShot (openshot.org) can trim, cut, add text, or adjust audio on recorded videos. These tools work with .mp4, .mov, and most other formats. If you recorded with OBS and saved as .mkv, convert it to .mp4 first using HandBrake, then open it in your editor.