YouTube is undoubtedly one of the biggest platforms for entertainment, offering millions of videos daily, including music, audiobooks, and podcasts. Sometimes, however, you may only want the audio from a video—especially if you don’t have a YouTube Premium subscription for $11.99 per month. Here’s a simple guide on how to download YouTube audio on a Mac.
How to Download Audio from YouTube
There are multiple ways to download YouTube audio on a Mac, and Windows users can follow similar steps using online tools. Below, we’ll outline some of the easiest methods for both platforms.
Downloading YouTube Audio on Mac for Free
To download audio from YouTube for free on a Mac, you can use iTube HD Video Downloader, available from the iSkysoft website. Follow these steps to extract audio from a YouTube video:
- Download and launch iTube HD Video Downloader from the iSkysoft website.
- Visit YouTube and open the video you want.
- A Download button will appear in the top-left corner of the video. Click it to see a dropdown list of MP3 formats.
- Choose your preferred format, and the audio will automatically start downloading.
Downloading YouTube Audio on Mac Without Software
If you prefer not to install any software, there are several proven methods to download YouTube audio online. Whether you’re on a Mac or PC, you can use the following steps to download audio.
Option 1: Using Y2Mate Online Downloader
Online tools like Y2Mate allow you to download YouTube audio without registering or signing up. It works on all major web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Steps to Download YouTube Audio On Mac:
- Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to save.
- Open a browser and visit the Y2Mate MP3 downloader.
- In the address bar, paste the video URL and click Download.
- Select your desired audio format and quality, then click Download again to start the process.
- After a brief redirect to another page, the audio will begin downloading. Close the new page and wait for the download to complete.
Option 2: Downloading YouTube Audio Files on Mac Using a Google Chrome Extension
Using a browser extension to download audio from YouTube is a quick and easy method that doesn’t require installing additional software. By simply adding the extension to your browser, you can download audio files directly without leaving YouTube. Once the extension is installed, a “Download” button will appear under the video you’re watching, allowing you to save the audio file straight to your Mac.
However, it’s important to note that Chrome has blocked many extensions that facilitate video downloads from YouTube. Because of this, you may need to use an addon compatible with other browsers like Firefox to download YouTube audio on a Mac without using dedicated software.
Steps to Download YouTube Audio via Browser Extension:
- Add a video downloader extension to your browser.
- Navigate to YouTube and play the video you wish to download.
- Click the “Download” button that appears under the video to save the audio to your Mac.
Other Ways to Download YouTube Audio on Mac
While a tool like EaseUS Video Downloader is one of the best solutions for downloading YouTube audio on a Mac, there are alternative methods you can explore:
Methode 1: Using Safari
As the default web browser for Mac, Safari has a unique feature that allows it to download embedded audio files from websites, including YouTube. However, this method is somewhat complex and will save the audio in AIFF format. If you need the file in MP3 format, you’ll need to convert it afterward. While this method works, it’s not highly recommended due to the extra steps involved.
Methode 1: Using VLC to Download YouTube Audio
VLC is a popular open-source multimedia player known for its excellent playback features. Beyond that, VLC can also be used to download YouTube videos and convert them into various audio formats such as MP3, FLAC, OGG, and more. However, due to changes made by YouTube since 2019, VLC’s ability to download videos can sometimes be disrupted, requiring regular updates to its code. Despite these challenges, VLC remains a reliable tool for downloading YouTube videos. Here’s a simple guide on how to use VLC to download YouTube audio.
User Guide for Downloading YouTube Audio with VLC:
- Launch VLC Media Player and go to “Open Network.”
- Copy the link of the YouTube video you want to download, then paste it into the window that appears.
- Click “Location” to display the full URL of the YouTube video and copy it. Note that VLC Version 3.0.14 may have trouble accessing the full URL due to YouTube restrictions.
- Open a web browser, paste the copied URL, right-click the YouTube video, and select “Save Video As.” Choose a destination on your Mac for the downloaded video.
- In VLC, click “Convert/Stream” and import the downloaded YouTube video. Select the desired output format (e.g., “Audio – MP3”), give the file a name, and start the download to convert the video into an audio format.
Conclusion
With so much content available online about downloading YouTube audio, finding the right tool can be overwhelming. For a straightforward, hassle-free experience, it’s important to choose a reliable program. A multi-functional tool like Parallel Toolbox offers over 30 features that make downloading YouTube audio—and many other tasks—quick and easy across multiple platforms.