Guides and resources

How to Save YouTube Videos for Lawful Personal Use

No. The app is designed for lawful, authorized use and does not include features intended to bypass restrictions.

Do not proceed until you have clear permission from the rights holder.

This guide explains a rights-first workflow for saving videos only when you own the content or have explicit permission.

Rights-first checklist

Confirm you own the media or have clear authorization to save it. Respect copyrights, private access controls, and platform policies.

Avoid downloading restricted, paid, DRM-protected, or private content without permission.

Use temporary file retention and expiring download links to reduce storage risk.

Store only what you need and remove obsolete files promptly.

Does mdownload bypass private or paid content controls?

What should I do if I am unsure about rights?

Legal usage boundaries for this service.

Process for rights-related notices.