Downloading music from YouTube: what will be possible (and legal) in 2025

Downloading music from YouTube, saving audio to listen to offline, or saving a video for later viewing are very common needs. The problem is that "downloading" and "converting to MP3" cover very different realities: some methods are perfectly legal, while others may violate YouTube's terms of use or copyright law.

In this guide, we take a clear-cut look at the situation:

• How to listen to and record music on YouTube safely,
• what you can actually do for free,
• When is free YouTube video capture acceptable (and when is it not)?
• and how to enjoy offline use without paying full price.

1) Taking music from YouTube: the simple rule to know

On YouTube, "standard" playback is done via streaming. Apart from the features provided by the platform (offline mode, downloading in the app, YouTube Studio, etc.), copying music on YouTube or copying a YouTube video using third-party tools often involves circumventing technical protections.

Result:

• it may violate YouTube's rules,
• and if the content is protected, it can also pose a rights issue.

The correct approach is to distinguish between three cases:

1. Listen/stay offline using an official feature (recommended).
2. Retrieve your own content (creator: ok).
3. Use royalty-free/Creative Commons content ( possible if license is clear).

2) The simplest method: YouTube Music (music + offline)

To listen to music on YouTube on a daily basis, the cleanest solution is YouTube Music. It is available in a free version (with limitations) and a Premium version (more convenient).

2.1. Listening to music on YouTube for free: what the free version allows you to do

In the free version, YouTube music streaming works, but with limitations depending on the device and settings: ads, sometimes limited background playback, and above all, no offline downloads.

This is ideal if the goal is simply to enjoy free music by streaming YouTube.

2.2. Download legally to listen offline (YouTube Premium / Music Premium)

To save YouTube music offline, YouTube offers an official option: "offline" downloading in the app.

Specifically, with YouTube Premium / YouTube Music Premium:

• You can download tracks/videos in the mobile app to listen to them offline.
• It's handy for a trip, a flight, or an area without data.
• The content remains readable in the application; it is not a freely exportable MP3 file.

This is the most reliable method if the goal is to "download music from YouTube" for offline listening, without any workarounds.

3) “YouTube MP3”: what you can do without putting yourself at risk

Many requests revolve around:

• how to save YouTube music as mp3,
• youtube mp3 download free music,
• how to download mp3 music,
• or how to download music to MP3.

Important point: obtaining an MP3 file from protected content without authorization (and without an official tool) can be problematic. However, there are situations where it is perfectly acceptable.

3.1. Recover YOUR own content (creators)

If you have uploaded a video containing your music (or a montage for which you hold the rights), the recommended method is YouTube Studio:

• you can download your videos,
• then extract the audio track in your software (if it is your content and you own the rights).

Here, we are talking about"saving YouTube"in the legitimate sense: saving your files.

3.2. Use content that is truly royalty-free

Some sounds/music are published under a license that allows downloading or reuse. In this case:

• check the license (Creative Commons, explicit permission),
• keep proof of the license at the time of use,
• and comply with the conditions (attribution, non-commercial use, etc.).

This is the only safe way to search for "YouTube music on MP3"without exposing yourself.

4) Free YouTube video capture: when it's relevant, when it's risky

We often see "capture YouTube video," "how to capture YouTube video," "capture YouTube video for free," or "record YouTube video for free."

We must be very clear:

• Capturing the screen to save protected content may violate platform rules and the creator's rights, even if it is "just for yourself."
• What's more, many "miracle solutions" (websites or extensions) are full of aggressive and sometimes dubious ads.

4.1. An acceptable situation: your own video/your own course/your rights

Screenshots or system recordings can be useful if:

• you record a demonstration that you have published,
• you have the author's explicit permission,
• or you capture content that you have the right to archive.

In this context, a YouTube video recording application (screen recorder) can be used to preserve evidence, drafts, or working materials.

4.2. Preferred alternative: official functions

If you need to "save YouTube videos to watch later," YouTube Premium remains the best solution: you have the offline option, without having to wonder how to copy videos from YouTube or extract a video from YouTube.

5) “Download a YouTube video for free on your PC”: beware of shortcuts

Certain phrases come up often:

• how to download a YouTube video for free on a PC,
• how to download YouTube videos for free,
• how to download a YouTube video without software / without software,
• free YouTube video download.

In practice:

• Without an official tool, you quickly end up on third-party sites.
• and these methods may violate rules or expose users to risks (malicious ads, intrusive extensions).

If the goal is simply to retain content, consider instead:

• “To watch later,” playlists,
• Official offline mode (Premium) on mobile,
• or recovery via YouTube Studio if you are the author.

6) How to copy YouTube music (without "stealing" it): best practices

The word "copy" is often used to mean "easily find," "save," or "transfer." Here are some alternatives to "how to copy YouTube music" without bypassing anything:

• Create a YouTube/YouTube Music playlist ("sport," "chill," "commute").
• Use "Watch Later" for your clips.
• Save links in a note-taking tool.
• Upgrade to Premium if you have a genuine offline need (frequent travel).

This covers most of the uses behind "copy to YouTube for free"or "copy YouTube video"without resorting to risky solutions.

7) The logical plan: pay less for YouTube Premium with a shared subscription

If you use YouTube every day, true convenience often comes from:

• no ads,
• background playback,
• offline downloads,
• YouTube Music included.

The problem is that it adds yet another subscription. And that's exactly where co-subscription comes into its own.

Principle: certain offers (such as "Family" packages, where available and depending on the terms of service) allow the cost to be shared between several people.
Rather than managing reimbursements "by hand," a platform such as Spliiit allows you to share a subscription and split the bill easily, while securing payments.

👉 If you want to enjoy YouTube Premium/YouTube Music without breaking the bank, you can join an existing share or offer an available spot: https://www.spliiit.com/

FAQ – Downloading music from YouTube

Can you download music from YouTube for free?

Yes, for streaming (YouTube/YouTube Music). For official offline listening, you usually need a Premium option. For "downloading in MP3," it depends on the rights: only your own content or royalty-free content.

How to download music from YouTube in MP3 format?

If the music is protected, the safest option is to use a legal service (YouTube Music, streaming platforms, purchase). For MP3s, it is legal if you own the rights (your music) or if the content is licensed for downloading and conversion.

Is there a free YouTube recorder?

There are screen recording tools available, but their use must remain within an authorized framework (your content, author's permission, royalty-free content). To watch offline, the simplest solution remains the official offline mode.

How to record a YouTube video on a phone (Android)?

YouTube allows offline viewing in its app with Premium. Solutions for "saving YouTube videos on Android" via screen capture may exist technically, but they are not necessarily permitted if the content is protected.

Is it possible to download a video from YouTube for free?

The "official" download depends on the features available in the app and the type of account. For creators, YouTube Studio allows you to retrieve your own videos. Methods involving third-party sites should be avoided.

Key points to remember

• To download music from YouTube safely, use YouTube Music and the official features (offline/Premium).
• Requests such as "MP3" or "copy a YouTube video" often conceal a need to listen offline: the best compromise is still an optimized subscription rather than a dubious tool.
• A free YouTube video capture is only relevant in an authorized context (your rights / explicit authorization / free content).
• If YouTube Premium tempts you but the price is too steep, sharing a subscription via Spliiit is the most logical way to reduce the cost: https://www.spliiit.com/

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