How to Download Audio from YouTube: Pick a Method That Works for You

YouTube is the most popular video hosting website out there. But over the years, it's also become a great resource for a wide range of audio content, everything from music to podcasts. While many people already know how to download videos from the platform, it can be a little more challenging to figure out how to extract audio for offline listening if you're unsure where to start.

Today, we will walk you through the different methods on how to pull audio from YouTube, so that you have a chance to choose the one that works best for you. 

{{blog-ad}}

What Do the Laws Say?

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of downloading audio from YouTube, let's first understand the legal ins and outs. YouTube's terms of service usually don't allow users to download content without explicit permission from the copyright holder. However, there are a few instances where this doesn't apply:

1. Public domain material
2. Content with Creative Commons licenses
3. Your own uploaded content

It’s always a good idea to make sure you have the right to save audio before trying to figure out how to rip songs from YouTube, for example.

Official (and Easiest) Method: YouTube Premium

If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, you’ll have the option to download not only the actual videos but also just the audio. The main downside of this method is that you won’t be able to use the audio outside the app - it would be simply impossible to move the song or podcast to another device or use another device to play it. 

Steps to Download with YouTube Premium:

1. Sign up for YouTube Premium.
2. Open the video with the audio that you liked in the YouTube app.
3. Tap the download button (it’s right beneath the video).
4. Pick the 'Audio only' option.

How to Download Audio from YouTube on Desktop

There are quite a few different methods to take audio from videos that you might want to try out. If you don’t need to download audio files too often, an online converter may be the best option for you. In any other case, specialized desktop software might be more convenient. 

Using Online YouTube to MP3 Converters

1. Copy the URL of the YouTube video.
2. Visit a converter website (like YTMP3 or Y2Mate).
3. Paste the URL into the search bar.
4. Select MP3 as the output format.
5. Click the download button.

Using Desktop Software

Popular options include:

1. 4K Video Downloader
2. VLC Media Player
3. Audacity 

Such software offers more features and, in some cases, you might be able to control the quality of the audio a lot better.

How to Download Audio from YouTube on Mac

1. Use online converters (the ones we have already mentioned above).
2. Take advantage of Mac-specific software like Airy or Elmedia Player.
3. Use the Terminal command with youtube-dl (for those who have the right technical knowledge).

Using Terminal Command:

1. Install Homebrew.
2. Install youtube-dl using Homebrew
3. Open Terminal and use the command: youtube-dl -x --audio-format mp3 [VIDEO_URL]

How to Download Audio from YouTube on Windows

Windows users can basically do the same things as Mac users, but they have some different choices on their platform.

1. Online converters
2. Windows-specific software like Free YouTube Download or 4K Video Downloader
3. The command prompt with youtube-dl

How to Download Audio from YouTube on Android

1. Use YouTube Premium.
2. Try out third-party apps like TubeMate or Snaptube.
3. Use online converters through your mobile browser.

Using TubeMate:

1. Install TubeMate.
2. Open the app and find the video.
3. Tap the download button.
4. Select MP3 as the output format.
5. Choose the quality that you want and download.

How to Download Audio from YouTube to iPhone

Downloading songs and podcasts to keep audio on an iPhone can be a little more challenging. But there are still a few methods that you can take advantage of:

1. Use YouTube Premium.
2. Figure out how the Shortcuts app works.
3. Use online converters through Safari.

How to Get the Audio from a YouTube Video Online

If you’d rather not install any type of software for various reasons, online converters might become your top pick. Simply remember to only visit reputable websites and to never share any sensitive information.

Popular online converters include YTMP3, Y2Mate, and OnlineVideoConverter.

A Few Things to Remember

Now that you know about the different ways to download audio from YouTube online, make sure to keep these points in mind:

1. It's important to respect copyright laws and content creators' rights.
2. Remember that some download websites can contain malware and adware.
3. Think about the audio quality. Higher quality often means larger file sizes.
4. Bear in mind that some methods might not be in line with YouTube's terms of service.

To Sum Up

Downloading audio from YouTube is a handy way to enjoy content offline or repurpose audio for your personal projects. 

While it's great to be able to download audio from YouTube, creating engaging video content is just as important. That's why we’ve built BigMotion. It's an AI-powered video creation platform that's going to revolutionize the way you produce content for YouTube and other social media platforms.

Whether you're looking to get started on YouTube or want to spruce up your current content strategy, BigMotion has all the tools you need to make great videos in no time.