How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 in 1080P/4K in 5 Ways

“I want to edit a vlog with YouTube clips. Does anyone know how to convert YouTube videos to MP4 files?”

While YouTube provides a download feature to let you watch videos offline, you may be at a loss when you want to save YouTube videos for editing or move them to another player for playing.

If you want to save YouTube videos as MP4, this guide will walk you through 5 practical methods to convert YouTube videos to MP4, including options for 1080P and 4K quality. Let’s get started!

Can You Convert YouTube Videos Directly to MP4?

Not with YouTube’s official offline download feature. YouTube Premium allows eligible videos to be downloaded for offline viewing within YouTube, but it does not provide a regular file that you can save and convert outside the YouTube app or supported playback environment.

If you need a local MP4 file for playback, editing, or use on another compatible device, you’ll need to use a separate method, such as a YouTube downloader, online converter, browser extension, or screen recorder.

What You Need Before Converting:

• YouTube video URL

• A supported converter, downloader, or recorder

• Enough storage space

• A stable internet connection

• An output location

Which Method Should You Use to Convert YouTube Video to MP4 File?

The right method depends on how you plan to download the YouTube video, how many videos you need to save, and how much control you want over the output. To make the differences clearer, we also tested the methods covered in this guide using the same YouTube playlist and compared their actual download experience and output quality

* The actual output format and quality depend on the command used and the available source formats.

How We Tested These YouTube to MP4 Methods

To compare these methods under the same conditions, we used one YouTube playlist containing 5 videos with a combined duration of approximately 30 minutes. We tested whether each method could complete the download or recording process and examined the resulting MP4 files.

We compared the methods based on:

• Download success rate: How many of the 5 videos were successfully saved as playable MP4 files.

• Download speed: How long it took to complete the test. For screen recording, we recorded the videos in real time rather than treating the recording duration as a conventional download speed.

• Video quality: The available and resulting video resolution, including whether 1080P or higher quality was available.

• Batch support: Whether the method could process multiple videos from the playlist in one operation.

• Output experience: Whether the resulting MP4 files played correctly and were saved without obvious errors.

The test results are summarized below:

* Screen recording requires real-time playback, so the recording itself takes approximately as long as the video being captured.

Method 1: How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 Files with Desktop Downloader

A desktop downloader is a practical choice when you want to save YouTube videos as local MP4 files regularly, download multiple videos, or choose from higher available video resolutions. Unlike online tools, it requires software installation, but it can provide a more complete desktop-based workflow for downloading and managing video files.

For this method, we’ll use TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader as an example. It works on Windows and Mac and supports MP4 in 4K output as well as other formats and quality. The available video quality depends on the original YouTube video, so 1080P, 4K, and 8K may be available when the source provides it.

Thanks to its intuitive interface, you can easily go through the whole download process with only a few simple clicks. Next, let’s move on to learn how to use this 1080P YouTube downloader to save videos in MP4 format.

Step 1. Launch TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader

When you open TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader, you can see a search bar on the interface. Copy the video link and paste it into it.

At the same time, you can see several embedded video streaming platforms in the main interface. You can also enter “YouTube” to access the YouTube library. On the embedded site, you can look for the video you want, then click on the download button next to the address bar.

Step 3. Customize Output Settings

Then you will see a window pop up, on which you can adjust the output settings such as the output format from MP4/MKV/MOV. Also, you can further adjust the video quality based on your needs. For example, for sharp and clear videos, you can customize the output quality to 1080P, and even 4K.

Step 4. Download YouTube Videos to MP4

Simply select all videos and hit “Download” and the program will start downloading YouTube videos in 1080P with MP4 format. After that, you can move to the “Downloaded” tab to access all your downloads by clicking “View Output File“.

Overall, it is super easy to download YouTube to MP4 by using TuneFab VideoOne YouTube Downloader. With YouTube videos saved as MP4 files, you can now use them in different scenarios. For instance, you can embed YouTube videos in your PowerPoint for playback when you give a presentation.

Method 2: How to Download YouTube Video to MP4 File with Online Tool

What if you don’t want to download any software for YouTube to MP4 conversion? Online tools like YT1D offer a viable solution. It can directly download YouTube to MP4 in 720P, 1080P, and even 4K online for free, enabling you to enjoy your favorite videos offline on any device and player with no hassle.

However, it is important to note that online tools do not support playlist/channel downloads and sometimes suffer from unstable performance and slow download speed. If you prioritize a reliable and efficient download process, you are advised to try YouTube to MP4 converter like TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader. Next, let’s learn how YT1D works.

Step 1. Visit your favorite video on YouTube and copy its URL.

Step 2. Go to YT1D and paste the URL into the search bar. Then, it will automatically parse video information.

Step 3. When there are download options displayed on the screen, select and click the “DOWNLOAD” button that fits your needs. Then YT1D will start converting YouTube to MP4.

Step 4. Once it is completed, click the “DOWNLOAD NOW” button on the popup to confirm your action. After that, you can easily transfer and watch YouTube videos offline anytime, anywhere.

After downloading, check that the file has an .mp4 extension and open it with your preferred video player to make sure the video plays correctly.

Method 3: How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 via Browser Add-on

A browser add-on is a convenient choice when you are already watching a YouTube video in your browser and want to download it without opening a separate downloader or manually copying and pasting the video URL. With a browser add-on, you don’t even need to copy and paste the video link. It can automatically detect video resources while you’re watching them on a webpage. Then, simply click the download button and the video clip can be saved as an MP4 file.

One tool worth trying for this method is Video DownloadHelper. It is available for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. It supports downloading YouTube videos as well as videos from over 1,000 other websites, including Dailymotion, Facebook, Periscope, and Vimeo. The available download format and video quality may vary depending on the website, video, and browser extension.

Let’s take Chrome as an example and walk through how to convert YouTube videos to MP4 using a browser add-on:

Step 1: Open Chrome, click the “three-dot” icon in the top-right corner, and go to “Extensions” > “Visit Chrome Web Store”.

Step 2: Search for “Video DownloadHelper” and click “Add to Chrome” to install the extension.

Step 3: Open YouTube and find the video you want to download. When the extension detects a downloadable video, its icon in the toolbar will light up.
Step 4: Click the icon and hit “Download” to save the video.

Method 4: How to Save YouTube Videos in MP4 with Screen Recorder

For those who just want to capture a clip from YouTube for video editing, using a screen recorder can be an ideal choice. Here, we will recommend a useful tool, FonePaw Screen Recorder.

It is a powerful video recorder for Windows and Mac that can deliver MP4 outputs with clear and sharp recordings. With FonePaw, you can effortlessly record YouTube videos in MP4 format with up to 1080P quality. However, the recording process can be time-consuming, especially for longer videos. If you’ve decided to use a screen recorder, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to download 1080P YouTube videos using FonePaw Screen Recorder.

Step 1. Download and install FonePaw Screen Recorder. Then, launch it and choose “Video Recorder” on the main feed. Then open the video you want to record on YouTube.

Step 2. Customize your recording settings, including selecting the recording area, turning off the webcam, and disabling the microphone. Don’t forget to adjust the “System Sound” to make sure you have the best audio recording.

Step 3. Click on the gear icon to access “Preferences” > “Output“. Then, you can select “MP4” as the output video format, and choose the wanted video quality as you like. Click “OK” to confirm your actions.

Step 4. Next, play the YouTube video and click on the “REC” button to start recording. During recording, you can see a floating panel with several editing tools.

Step 5. Once the video ends, click the red square button to stop. Then, you can preview and edit the recorded YouTube video. Next, click “Save” to save it to your computer.

Method 5: How to Download YouTube Videos to MP4 via youtube-dl

Last but not least, you can convert YouTube videos to MP4 for free using the open-source command-line program youtube-dl. This project was created by Ricardo Garcia in 2008 and is hosted on GitHub. In addition to YouTube, youtube-dl also supports a wide range of other video platforms. It works on Linux, Windows, and macOS systems.

However, this method isn’t very beginner-friendly. If you’re not familiar with command-line interfaces, it can be a bit challenging to use because different operations require different commands, and even a small mistake like an extra space or missing punctuation can cause the command to fail.

That said, if you’re comfortable with code, you’ll find youtube-dl to be a very powerful tool. It can download individual videos, entire playlists, or all videos from a specific channel. It also supports bulk downloading, and can grab subtitles, metadata, and more. By default, youtube-dl automatically downloads the highest quality MP4 video, but you can customize settings using specific command-line options.

Here is how to download youtube videos to mp4 via youtube-dl:

Step 1. Download and install youtube-dl from GitHub.

Step 2. Open the Start menu, search for “Command Prompt,” right-click it, and select “Run as administrator.”

Step 3. Go to YouTube and copy the link of the video you want to download. In the Command Prompt, type “youtube-dl” followed by the video link, then press “Enter”. If you want to download a playlist, type “youtube-dl ” and hit “Enter”.

FAQs About Converting YouTube Video to MP4

Can I convert a YouTube video to MP4 without installing software?

Yes. You can use an online YouTube converter or a browser extension to save supported YouTube videos as MP4 without installing a standalone desktop program. Online converters are convenient for occasional downloads, while browser extensions let you start the download directly from your browser. The available formats and video quality depend on the specific tool and video source.

Can YouTube Premium downloads be converted into MP4 files?

No. YouTube Premium’s download feature is designed for offline playback within YouTube, rather than exporting a regular MP4 file to your computer. The downloaded content remains tied to YouTube’s supported playback environment, so you cannot normally access it as a standalone MP4 file for editing or playback in another media player.

Why is my converted YouTube video not in 1080P or 4K?

Several factors can affect the output resolution. The original YouTube video must be available in 1080P or 4K, and the downloader or converter must be able to access and process that quality. Some tools may also have their own resolution limitations or may not detect certain high-resolution video streams. Choosing MP4 as the output format does not automatically increase the video’s original resolution. If the source is only available in 720P, for example, converting it to MP4 will not make it a genuine 1080P or 4K video.

Conclusion

If you are confused about how to convert YouTube videos to MP4, 5 workable methods are available in this article, and the right choice depends on your specific needs. For those who only need to download a few videos occasionally, online YouTube downloaders and browser extensions are both great options.

If you need to capture a specific video clip from YouTube, FonePaw Screen Recorder is a practical option. And for users with some technical background and who are looking for more advanced features, youtube-dl is a powerful choice for greater control over the download process and automated workflows.

For users who want a desktop workflow with MP4 output and batch downloading, TuneFab VideOne YouTube Downloader is one option to consider. The available video quality depends on the original YouTube video and the options supported by the downloader.