Have you ever watched a stunning 4K video on YouTube and wished you could save it locally to your Mac to watch offline, edit in Final Cut Pro, or just keep a permanent copy? In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to do it using VidsGrab, completely free and without installing any potentially dangerous software.
Why Download in 4K?
4K (or Ultra HD) resolution offers four times the pixels of standard 1080p Full HD. When you are watching on a Retina display Mac, an iPad Pro, or an external 4K monitor, the difference is night and day. Details are sharper, colors are more vibrant, and the overall viewing experience is significantly elevated.
The Problem with Native Downloads
While YouTube offers a "Download" button for YouTube Premium subscribers, these downloads are locked inside the YouTube app (which doesn't even exist natively for macOS desktop!). You can't extract the actual MP4 file to edit it or play it in QuickTime. Furthermore, YouTube limits these offline downloads to 1080p, completely artificially restricting you from 4K.
How to Download 4K Videos on Mac using VidsGrab
VidsGrab solves this problem by directly extracting the raw 4K video stream and presenting it to you as an MP4 file. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Find your video: Open Safari, Chrome, or Firefox on your Mac and navigate to the YouTube video you want to download. Ensure the video actually has a 4K option by clicking the gear icon in the YouTube player.
- Copy the URL: Click on your browser's address bar and copy the full URL (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...).
- Go to VidsGrab: Open a new tab and go to vidsgrab.com.
- Paste the Link: Paste the copied YouTube link into the search box and click the Download button.
- Select 4K Quality: VidsGrab will analyze the video and show you all available resolutions. Look for the option labeled 2160p or 4K and click download.
Your Mac will now download the MP4 file directly into your Downloads folder. You can open it in QuickTime, drag it into iMovie, or transfer it to your Apple TV for the ultimate living room experience.