How to Save YouTube Videos to Camera Roll: Easy Methods & Tips [2025]

Saving YouTube videos to your camera roll is a convenient way to enjoy content offline, whether you're on a flight, saving educational material, or organizing your favorite videos. But can you save YouTube videos directly to your camera roll? While YouTube doesn't make it easy, we're here to guide you through safe and legal methods to do so in this step-by-step tutorial.

This guide focuses on mobile solutions for iOS and Android, with a special look at third-party software, web tools, screen capture options, and a PC pro tip. By the end, you'll know exactly how to download and store your favorite YouTube videos directly on your device's camera roll.

If you're looking to extract audio only, you can also use our YouTube to MP3 Converter for quick, high-quality downloads.

Can You Save YouTube Videos Directly to Camera Roll

Unfortunately, the YouTube app doesn't allow you to save videos directly to your camera roll. Even with YouTube Premium, downloads are restricted to in-app viewing and will expire after a set period. These videos cannot be transferred to Photos or Files. This limitation exists to protect copyrights and ensure creators are properly credited for their content.

For more details on downloading videos for offline use, check out our guide on How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 (Step-by-Step Guide for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS).

However, there are legal and straightforward ways to save YouTube videos to your camera roll using third-party software, online tools, and screen recording methods. These methods are ideal for personal use, such as saving videos for offline study or entertainment.

Why Would You Want to Save YouTube Videos to Your Camera Roll?

• Content Backup: Keep educational videos, tutorials, and recipes for offline use.

• Sharing Videos: Send downloaded videos directly to friends via messaging apps without needing a YouTube link.

• Organization: Create custom albums to better manage your gallery and favorite videos.

• No App Limitations: Saved videos can be played, edited, or cropped in any media player without restrictions.

Although YouTube doesn't offer a direct save feature, we'll show you easy and legal ways to achieve it using alternative methods.

Methods to Save YouTube Videos to Camera Roll (Mobile-Focused)

Depending on your device and preferences, there are several methods you can use to save YouTube videos directly to your smartphone's camera roll. Below, we cover three effective ways to do so.

Using Third-Party Apps (iOS & Android)

Third-party apps make downloading YouTube videos directly to your camera roll easy. The technique differs for iOS and Android devices.​

For iOS Devices Use the Shortcuts App.

The Shortcuts app on iOS allows users to automate operations such as downloading YouTube videos. Here's how you set it up:​

Step 1: Make sure the Shortcuts app is installed on your iPhone. If it's not installed, download it from the App Store.

Step 2: Open Safari and visit a trusted source for a YouTube download shortcut. Download the shortcut and add it to your Shortcuts app. You can find a detailed guide on setting up shortcuts in our How to Convert YouTube to MP3 on iPhone.

Note: To make it work, you'll also need to download the free Scriptable and a-Shell mini (or a-Shell) apps.

Step 3. Open the YouTube app and find the video you want to download.​ Click the "Share" icon below the video and choose "YouTube Download”. 

Step 4. Open the Shortcuts app and run the YouTube download shortcut you created.​ The shortcut will process the video. Select the quality and store it in the Photos app.

For Android Devices Use a Video Downloader App

Android users can easily download YouTube videos by using a reliable video downloader app. Follow these steps to save your favorite YouTube videos to your camera roll:

Step 1: Download a trustworthy video downloader tool from the Google Play Store. Some top-rated apps include YTD Video Downloader and 4K Video Downloader.

Step 2: Open the YouTube app and find the video you want to download. Tap the "Share" button below the video and select "Copy Link."

Step 3: Open the video downloader app you’ve installed and paste the copied link into the designated space. Choose your preferred video quality and start the download.

Step 4. Once downloaded, the video is normally saved in a folder specified by the downloader tool.​

Step 5. To move it to your camera roll (Gallery), find the video in the app, hit the settings menu, then pick "Move to Gallery" or a similar option.​

Save YouTube Videos to Camera Roll Online

If you prefer not to use apps, online video downloaders provide a convenient alternative for saving YouTube videos directly to your camera roll.

Step 1: Open YouTube and find the video you want to download. Tap "Share" and select "Copy Link."

Step 2: Open Safari and visit a trustworthy website, like SaveFrom. Paste the copied YouTube link into the provided field. Choose your preferred video quality and click "Download."

Step 3: After the video has been processed, a download link will appear. Tap it to begin the download. Once the download is complete, the video will be saved in the "Downloads" section of the Files app.

Step 4: To move the video to your Photos app, tap and hold the video in the Files app. Select "Move," then choose the "Photos" folder to transfer the video to your Photos app for easy access.

Screen Recording (Built-in or Third-Party)

Screen recording is a simple way to capture YouTube videos on your smartphone. Both Android and iOS offer built-in screen recording features, making it easy to save content without needing third-party apps. Here's how to use it on iOS:

For iOS Devices:

Step 1: Enable screen recording on your iPhone. First, access the "Control Centre" by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen. Tap the screen and then select the "Add a control" option below. Find and add "Screen Recording" to your Control Centre for easy access.

Step 2. Open the YouTube app and find the video you want to capture.​

Step 3. Tap "Record or Stop" in the Control Centre or the red status bar at the top to stop recording.​ The recorded video will be saved to the Photos app.​

Step 4. Tap "Edit" in Photos to edit the video, then trim the start and end positions.​

Limitations:

• Notifications and Other Pop-Ups: Screen recordings capture everything on your screen, including notifications, pop-ups, or other unwanted interruptions during recording.

• Manual Trimming: Since the entire screen is recorded, you’ll need to manually trim the video to focus solely on the YouTube content.

• Audio Restrictions: Due to YouTube and iOS restrictions, screen recordings may not capture internal audio. This means you might need to adjust audio settings or use a workaround to capture the sound.

For Android Devices:

Step 1: Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to access "Quick Settings." Look for the "Screen Recorder" icon. If you can't find it, tap the "Edit (pencil)" icon and drag the "Screen Recorder" to your Quick Settings panel for easy access.

Step 2: Tap the "Screen Recorder" icon. Choose your audio settings, such as Device Audio, Microphone, or both, depending on whether you want to capture system sound, voice commentary, or both during the recording.

Step 3. Tap "Start Recording." The recording begins after a countdown.

Step 4. Play the YouTube video you wish to capture.

Step 5. Swipe down and tap "Stop" on the recording notification when done. Gallery or Photos will store the video.

Limitations:

• Screen recordings capture everything, including notifications. ​

• The recording may be of poorer quality than direct downloads.​

• Some Android devices or versions cannot record internal audio owing to policy.

Pro Tip: Download YouTube Videos from PC with Third-Party Software

Want to download videos from PC to iPhone? We have got a solution! The EaseUS Video Downloader allows you to download videos from a variety of websites directly to your PC, and then transfer them to your iPhone. Once downloaded, these videos can easily be stored in your iPhone’s camera roll for offline viewing.

The EaseUS Video Downloader supports downloading content from over 1,000 websites, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Its user-friendly interface makes it perfect for non-technical users who want a hassle-free experience.

Key Features of EaseUS Video Downloader

• Batch Downloading: Save time by downloading multiple videos at once, making it easier to build your offline library.

• Audio Extraction: Extract audio from videos and save it as MP3, perfect for users who prefer audio-only content.

• Playlist and Channel Downloads: Easily download entire YouTube playlists and channels, simplifying the process of collecting your favorite content.

• Built-in Search: Find videos directly through the app without needing to switch between platforms.

Final Words

Saving YouTube videos to your camera roll is straightforward when you have the right tools. In this guide, we’ve covered several methods, including built-in screen recording, file management apps, and third-party solutions. For a seamless experience, we recommend EaseUS Video Downloader for PCs. It's fast, reliable, and makes it easy to download high-quality videos directly to your phone. EaseUS simplifies creating an offline video library and storing content. However, if you're looking for a quick solution without downloading software, you can also use our CodeMasters YouTube to MP3 Converter for an easy, online way to convert videos to MP3 format.

FAQs

Can I use YouTube Premium to download videos to my camera roll?

No, YouTube Premium allows you to download videos for offline viewing within the app. However, these videos are temporary and cannot be saved to your phone's gallery or camera roll. They also cannot be shared or edited outside the app. To save personal videos to your camera roll, you’ll need screen recording, file manager software, or a trusted third-party solution. For full control, we recommend EaseUS Video Downloader, which offers more flexibility and ease of use.

Can I use a computer to download YouTube videos and then transfer them to my phone?

It's one of the most reliable approaches. EaseUS Video Downloader can download high-quality YouTube videos to your PC. Transfer the downloaded video to your phone using a USB cord, online storage (Google Drive or iCloud), or file-sharing apps. This method lets you choose video format and resolution without mobile apps or browser installs. It's ideal for saving clean, high-quality videos to your phone's camera roll.

The downloaded video is low quality. How do I download it in high quality?

Low-quality videos are often a result of resolution limitations or download settings. To ensure the best quality, always use a tool like EaseUS Video Downloader, which allows you to select from resolutions like 1080p, 4K, or even 8K for superior playback. Also, make sure you have a stable internet connection while downloading.

It's essential to use software that prioritizes quality and gives you full control over your settings, as some tools may default to low quality to conserve space or bandwidth. It's essential to use software that prioritizes quality and gives you full control over your settings, as some tools may default to low quality to conserve space or bandwidth. Check out our full guide on quality settings.

Can I download YouTube videos in different formats?

Yes, with EaseUS Video Downloader, you can choose from various formats, including MP4, MP3, and more. The tool offers flexibility in both video and audio quality, so you can download videos in the format that best suits your needs. Whether you want to save a video for offline playback or just the audio for listening, EaseUS has you covered.

Are there any legal concerns when downloading YouTube videos?

Yes, downloading YouTube videos can be legally complicated. YouTube's terms of service prohibit downloading videos unless a download button is provided by the platform, such as through YouTube Premium. It's important to only download videos when you have the right to do so or for personal use. For more information on the legalities, check out our article on Is YouTube to MP3 Legal?.