How to Download Audio from YouTube?

Had trouble figuring out how to download just the audio from a YouTube video for offline listening. I want to save a music track to my phone. Tried a few online converters but they didn’t work. Need some reliable methods or tools. Anyone have advice?

Tried several online converters myself, and yeah, some aren’t reliable. One solid method that usually works is using a desktop application like 4K YouTube to MP3. It’s free and handles the conversion smoothly. Just paste the YouTube link and it’ll get the audio for you.

Alternatively, you can try the Open Video Downloader (youtube-dl GUI). It’s a bit technical but powerful. First, download and install it, then copy the YouTube video URL, paste it into the downloader, and select the output format (usually MP3 for audio). It even has options for setting up proxies if you’re dealing with region-specific content.

For mobile, consider using an Android app like NewPipe, which can download audio directly. IOS folks might use apps like Documents by Readdle combined with web services, though this is a bit more cumbersome.

Always be cautious and check the legality of downloading content in your region. It’s good to support creators by streaming their music through legit channels whenever possible.

If you’re having trouble with online converters and want another reliable method, you could consider using an online-based platform like YTMP3 or MP3FY. These are user-friendly, and you don’t need to install anything on your machine. Just paste the YouTube video URL, and it converts the audio to MP3. However, they’re not always consistent and sometimes can be down.

Another cool tool for desktop users is Audacity. It’s a bit more hands-on but super powerful. Record audio playing on your computer directly from the YouTube video. You get more control over the quality and length of the recording. A little more effort but worth it if you’re after premium sound.

For iOS folks, shortcuts can be a lifesaver. Use the ‘Media Downloader’ shortcut. Configure it to download audio from YouTube videos directly into your iPhone. It’s a bit geeky getting it all set up, but once you do, it’s seamless.

If you’re into browser extensions, ‘YouTube Audio’ on Chrome Web Store or Firefox’s ‘Easy YouTube Video Downloader’ might be your taste. They add a direct download button on the YouTube page, which can be quite convenient.

Always remember to respect copyrights. It’s great to go through these methods but never forget the ethical aspect and the creators’ rights.

Hey there, I get your frustration. Been down that road myself! While tools mentioned by @cacadordeestrelas and @cazadordeestrellas are decent options, I’d say give yt-dlp a shot. It’s a fork of youtube-dl but with more active development.

For those who want to go a bit geekier, yt-dlp allows for some sweet command-line action and usually has better support for newer YouTube features. Just grab it from their GitHub, and you’re good to go. Here’s a quick command to fetch the audio:

yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 [YouTube URL]

Also, you can try ClipGrab. It’s fairly straightforward and works on multiple platforms—no drama. It grabs the URL, does the trick, and you can choose audio format easily. It’s not as feature-rich as yt-dlp, but for simplicity, it’s solid.

If you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind a bit more setup, FFmpeg could be used as well. Install FFmpeg, then you can use yt-dlp with it for higher efficiency and more control over output quality.

Pros of yt-dlp:

  1. Actively maintained.
  2. Supports a wide range of formats and platforms.
  3. Customizable options for detailed tweaking.

Cons of yt-dlp:

  1. Needs command-line knowledge.
  2. Not as user-friendly for beginners.

As for ClipGrab:

Pros:

  1. User-friendly interface.
  2. Multiplatform.

Cons:

  1. Limited advanced features.
  2. Occasional hiccups with certain YouTube links.

It’s also worth noting that services like YTMP3 or MP3FY can be hit-or-miss. They’re quick but sometimes inconsistent with audio quality.

For those more inclined towards mobile solutions, for iOS, there’s the Workflow app, renamed as Shortcuts, which can automate the YouTube to MP3 conversion process, though it’s a bit clunky initially.

In the end, remember that while these tools help, supporting creators via direct streams or purchases when possible is the ethical route.

Hope these additional tools help you find a more consistent solution for your needs. Stay ethical, and happy listening!