How to Download Unlisted YouTube Videos in 2026 (Updated)

“Does anyone know how to download unlisted YouTube videos? I have several links, but I’m worried they will disappear.”

Unlisted YouTube videos are not visible in search results or on channel pages, which means they can only be accessed via a direct link. Keep in mind that if the link expires or the creator deletes the video, it may be permanently lost. This is why many people ask: “Can I download an unlisted YouTube video?”

The answer is yes! This article compiles five effective methods, guiding you step-by-step on how to download YouTube unlisted videos so that you can save and access these hidden gems anytime, anywhere. Let’s explore!

Way 1. Download Unlisted YouTube Videos Using a Desktop Downloader 🔥

Best for: Batch saving unlisted videos from YouTube in 8K quality without any restrictions.

For those who value high-quality output, batch download, and a user-friendly experience, using a desktop downloader for unlisted YouTube videos is definitely the go-to option.

TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader is such a tool that can download unlisted videos, private videos, shorts, playlists, and even channels from YouTube on Windows and Mac. The best part is that this tool can quickly bypass DRM protection and convert YouTube to MP4, MKV, and MOV in up to 8K, ensuring smooth and HD playback on any device and player without any hassle. Plus, it starts with a free trial, so you can try all its features and download YouTube videos for free.

On top of that, this tool is user-friendly. Below is the detailed guide on how to download unlisted YouTube videos by using TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader. To begin with, download and install it on your Windows or Mac computer first.

Step 1. Get the Link to the Unlisted YouTube Video

Open the unlisted video on YouTube in your browser and copy the URL. Then, launch TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader and paste it into the search box on the Home interface.

Step 2. Choose Output Settings

When a window pops up, adjust the download format (MP4/MKV/MOV), quality (1080P/4K/8K), and other video parameters according to your needs.

Step 3. Download Unlisted YouTube Videos on Mac/Windows

Select the videos you want and click “Download”, and then TuneFab VideOne will do the rest. Once it is completed, go to the “Downloaded” tab to check all successful downloads.

TuneFab VideoOne YouTube Downloader makes it easy to download unlisted YouTube videos in a few simple clicks. Better still, even if you encounter playback issues like being blocked, copyright restrictions, or age restrictions, this downloader helps as well!

Way 2. Download Unlisted YouTube Video Online for Free

Best for: Occasional downloads of unlisted YouTube videos without software

If you prefer to download unlisted YouTube videos online without software, SocialPlug is a workable option. With it, you can save an unlisted YouTube video to MP4 in up to 1080P on any device, whether you’re on a PC, Mac, or mobile phone.

However, there is no support for batch download, so you will have to manually download hidden YouTube videos one by one. For a more efficient experience, you can consider other free YouTube downloaders like TuneFab VideOne. But if you don’t mind, here are the steps on how to download YouTube unlisted videos online for free with SocialPlug.

Step 1. Paste the unlisted YouTube video link into SocialPlug’s search box, and click “Get Video”.

Step 2. Wait for parsing the video link.

Step 3. Select a preferred download option and click on its button. Then, you can easily download unlisted YouTube videos online for free.

Way 3. Download Unlisted Videos from YouTube Using an Extension

Best for: Those who need a quick way to download YouTube unlisted videos online while browsing.

Video DownloadHelper is another viable online solution to download unlisted YouTube videos without leaving your browser. This browser extension works well on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge and can automatically detect downloadable videos on the screen, letting you save unlisted YouTube videos as MP4/MKV files in up to 1080P quality.

However, it is a pity that this method does not support downloading long YouTube videos and batch conversion, making it less ideal for those who have a large collection. For short clips, here is how to do it.

Step 1. Install the Video DownloadHelper extension on your browser and ensure it is enabled.

Step 2. Play the unlisted YouTube video. The extension will automatically detect it.

Step 3. Select the proper output setting and then hit “Download”. Now you can enjoy your unlisted YouTube video download for offline playback anytime.

Way 4. Download Your Own Unlisted YouTube Videos Using YouTube Studio

Best for: Download unlisted YouTube videos uploaded by yourself quickly without a URL or third-party tools.

Do you know how to download YouTube videos that you uploaded? It is actually very straightforward! Even without a video URL, you can effortlessly get things done with simple clicks on YouTube Studio. The best part is that this method works across any device, whether you are using a browser, a desktop, or a mobile device.

Typically, YouTube will save unlisted videos in MP4 format. Next, let‘s see how to download YouTube unlisted videos with YouTube Studio.

Step 1. Open YouTube Studio and locate the unlisted video you want to download.

Step 2. Hover over the video title and click the “Options” icon. Then select “Download” to save your unlisted video from YouTube to your device.

Way 5. Save Unlisted YouTube Videos Using YouTube Premium on Mobile

Best for: Download unlisted YouTube videos on mobile for short-term offline viewing within the official YouTube app.

If you are looking for a hassle-free and official way to download YouTube unlisted videos on mobile, YouTube Premium is worth considering. With an active Premium subscription, you can save unlisted YouTube videos directly in the YouTube app on Android or iOS for offline viewing.

It is worth noting that these downloads can only be viewed within YouTube for up to 29 days and cannot be exported to other devices or players. To keep a permanent copy, a professional downloader like TuneFab VideOne (Way 1) is a better choice. If you still want to save unlisted YouTube videos with YouTube Premium, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open the YouTube app on your mobile device and log in to your YouTube Premium account.

Step 2. Access the unlisted YouTube video you want to download.

Step 3. Hit the “Download” button below the video player.

Step 4. When a pop-up appears, choose the preferred video quality. Then, tap “OK” to start downloading an unlisted video on YouTube.

Step 5. Once complete, go to the “Downloads” section to watch your saved unlisted videos offline.

How to Find Unlisted YouTube Videos Without Link

A valid link is essential for downloading an unlisted YouTube video. What if you have no unlisted YouTube video link? Don’t worry, there are 4 workable methods offered in this section to help you!

1. View Your Own Unlisted Videos via YouTube Studio

If you intend to download unlisted YouTube videos that you uploaded yourself, YouTube Studio is the place to go. Here you can find and manage all of your uploaded videos, including those set as unlisted.

Step 1. Go to YouTube and log in to your account.

Step 2. Hit your profile and select “YouTube Studio” from the list.

Step 3. Move to the “Content” section, and then you can see the video marked as “Unlisted”.

2. Find Unlisted Videos of Others via Google Search

So, how to find unlisted YouTube videos of others when you do not have a direct link? While the process can be slightly challenging, it is actually possible to discover these videos using Google Search. By entering the correct Google search operator into the search bar, you can precisely find YouTube unlisted videos without a link. Here is a detailed tutorial.

Step 1. Open Google and enter the following search query: site:youtube.com intext: unlisted “Video Keywords”.

Step 2. Press the Enter key on your keyboard, and Google will show all relevant results. This way, you can quickly find unlisted YouTube videos you want.

3. Get Unlisted Videos via the UnlistedVideo Website

Another option is using an unlisted video archive website, such as the Unlisted Videos platform, which collects and categorizes unlisted YouTube videos that users have submitted over time. However, its on-screen adverts can be a bit annoying and potentially affect the user experience. Next, let’s see how to find unlisted YouTube videos on this platform.

Step 1. Visit the official Unlisted Video website.

Step 2. Enter the video keyword in the search bar and click the search button. Additionally, you can also discover more YouTube unlisted videos by clicking the “All Videos” or “Random Video” button in the upper right corner.

Step 3. Open the video you want, and then you can stream it directly, or click the “Watch on YouTube” button to get the unlisted YouTube video link.

4. Find Unlisted Videos in Public YouTube Playlists

Although unlisted YouTube videos cannot be found through YouTube search results or the uploader’s channel page, they can still be publicly visible if the uploader adds them to a public YouTube playlist. In this case, the unlisted videos will appear alongside the playlist. Simply open the public playlist link, and you will be able to watch the unlisted video without needing any extra access.

Comparison: 5 Best Ways to Download Unlisted YouTube Videos

After exploring the 5 effective ways to download unlisted YouTube videos, you may still find it hard to choose the best one. To make it easier, here is an overview that allows you to compare them intuitively across several aspects.

FAQs on Unlisted YouTube Videos Downloads

Q1: Is it legal to download unlisted YouTube videos?

It depends on how the video is used. Downloading unlisted YouTube videos for personal use only, such as offline viewing or backup, is generally acceptable, especially if you own the video or have the uploader‘s permission.

Additionally, all methods in this article are for educational purposes and sharing only. Please always make sure you comply with the local laws and only download videos you have permission to access.

Q2: Can you download unlisted YouTube videos using VLC Media Player?

Yes, VLC can download YouTube videos if you have the video link. However, YouTube frequently changes its streaming protocol, which may require manual updates for VLC’s youtube.lua script. This process can be inconvenient and time-consuming, so VLC is not recommended for stable or long-term use.

For a hassle-free experience, a professional desktop downloader for unlisted YouTube videos, like TuneFab VideoOne, is much more reliable.

Q3: Can you download unlisted videos from YouTube with yt-dlp?

Yes, it is possible to download YouTube unlisted videos to MP4 for free on your computer using yt-dlp. However, this method is not recommended for most users. It is not beginner-friendly, relying heavily on command lines. Also, to access certain unlisted videos, you must provide your YouTube account cookies, which pose a potential privacy and security risk.

Q4: Are unlisted YouTube videos really private?

No. While unlisted YouTube videos do not appear in search results, channel pages, or recommendation lists, they are not completely private. Any YouTube user who has the link can still view the video.

This means that while the video is somewhat protected from being widely discovered, it is still accessible to anyone with the link and a valid YouTube account. Therefore, unlisted YouTube videos may be less private than you think.

Q5: What are the differences between unlisted and private YouTube videos?

Both private and unlisted YouTube videos are not publicly searchable, making them highly personal. While they may seem similar, they are actually very different. Here are the main differences between private and unlisted YouTube videos.

Conclusion

In this article, we have guided you through how to download unlisted YouTube videos and shared practical tips on how to find unlisted YouTube videos. Overall, it can be a breeze if you have the right tool.

Among the 5 viable ways, TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader is your go-to option if you value a stable, high-quality, and flexible solution. Not only can it batch download YouTube unlisted videos in up to 8K, but it can also download YouTube private videos, playlists, channels, and more without any restrictions! Don’t let those hidden gems slip away. Download TuneFab VideOne today and give it a try!