Source: https://mactoolbox.app/how-to-download-a-video-on-mac

# How to download a video on Mac

By Nikhil Barik · Published November 3, 2026

## Quick answer

macOS has no built-in video downloader. Paste a link into Download Video in Toolbox, choose a quality, and it saves the file to your Downloads folder. Only download videos you own or have permission to save.

## The built-in way

Safari and Finder cannot save videos from most sites. A screen recording with Shift-Command-5 works as a fallback, but it captures in real time and at screen quality, not the original file.

## The Toolbox way: Download Video

Paste a link from YouTube, X, TikTok, Instagram, Vimeo, Reddit, Twitch, SoundCloud or one of over a thousand other sites, and Toolbox saves the video to your Downloads folder. It uses yt-dlp under the hood, so you get the original file, not a screen recording. You can queue several links.

1. Open Download Video in Toolbox.
2. Paste one or more video links into the link field.
3. Choose Best Quality, 1080p, 720p or Audio Only (M4A), and leave Prefer H.264 on if you want files that play in QuickTime and on iPhone.
4. Click Download, then open the new folder in Downloads.

## Tips and troubleshooting

- If a download will not play in QuickTime, keep Prefer H.264 on. The highest resolutions on some sites use VP9 or AV1, which QuickTime does not play.
- For audio only, pick Audio Only (M4A).
- To shrink the file afterward, use Compress Video.

Respect the terms of the site and the rights of the person who made the video.

## Frequently asked questions

**How do I download a YouTube video on my Mac?**

Copy the link, paste it into Download Video and click Download. The file is saved as an MP4 in a new dated folder in Downloads.

**Can I download just the audio?**

Yes. Pick Audio Only (M4A) in the Format menu.

**Why does my downloaded video not play in QuickTime?**

Some sites offer VP9 or AV1 at the highest resolutions, which QuickTime does not play. Keep Prefer H.264 on.

**Is this legal?**

Only download videos you own or have permission to save. Check the site's terms and the laws where you live.

## Tools mentioned

- [**Download Video**: Save videos from YouTube, X, TikTok and more.](https://mactoolbox.app/youtube-video-downloader-mac)
- [**Compress Video**: Shrink video files while keeping them looking great.](https://mactoolbox.app/compress-video-mac)
- [**Extract Audio**: Save the soundtrack of a video as an audio file.](https://mactoolbox.app/extract-audio-from-video-mac)
- [**Convert Video**: Change videos to MP4, MOV, WebM or M4V.](https://mactoolbox.app/convert-video-to-mp4-mac)

## Keep reading

- [Download Video](https://mactoolbox.app/youtube-video-downloader-mac)
- [Video](https://mactoolbox.app/video-tools-mac)
- [All guides](https://mactoolbox.app/guides)