YouTube to MP4 conversion lets you save any public video as a standard file on your device. YouTube itself does not offer a direct download button for most content. The offline feature inside the app locks videos behind a subscription and they expire after a set period. Converting to MP4 gives you a permanent file you fully control.
SaveThat.video handles the conversion for you. Paste a link, pick your quality, and download the MP4 directly to your phone or computer. No account, no software to install.
How to Download YouTube Videos as MP4
- Open YouTube and find the video you want to save. Tap Share and then Copy link. On desktop, copy the URL from your browser's address bar.
- Go to the YouTube video downloader page and paste the link into the input box.
- Select your preferred quality and tap Save it. The MP4 file downloads straight to your device.
Available Quality Options
Unlike platforms that serve a single resolution, YouTube stores multiple quality tiers for each video. When you paste a link, the tool detects every available option and lets you choose.
Common options include 2160p (4K), 1440p, 1080p, 720p, and 480p. The actual choices depend on what the creator uploaded. A video recorded in 1080p won't have a 4K option, for example.
Higher resolutions produce larger files. A 10-minute video in 1080p is roughly 150-250 MB, while the same video in 4K can be 500 MB or more. Pick the resolution that balances quality with your available storage.
YouTube Shorts as MP4
Shorts are just vertical videos on YouTube. The converter handles them exactly like regular videos. Paste the Shorts URL and you get a vertical MP4 at the original resolution, typically 1080x1920.
This is useful if you want to repost a Short on another platform, save it for offline viewing, or use it in a video editing project without screen recording.
Downloading on iPhone
On iPhone, Safari saves MP4 files to the Files app by default. After the download finishes, open the file and tap Save Video to move it to your Camera Roll. From there you can edit it, share it, or upload it wherever you need.
Make sure you are using Safari, not Chrome. Chrome on iOS can be inconsistent with direct file downloads.
Downloading on Android
Chrome on Android saves MP4 files straight to your Downloads folder. Your gallery app detects the file automatically, so the video shows up in your library within seconds.
If Chrome shows a "Download blocked" warning, tap Download anyway. This happens because Chrome flags downloads from unfamiliar domains, not because there is anything wrong with the file.
Downloading on PC or Mac
On desktop, the MP4 file downloads like any other file. Click the download button or right-click and choose Save Link As... to pick a specific folder. The file plays in VLC, Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or any standard video player.
Desktop downloads are generally faster since you're on a wired or Wi-Fi connection, so grabbing 4K files is practical here.
MP4 vs MP3 from YouTube
If you only need the audio from a video, there is no reason to download the full MP4. Switch to Audio only mode to get an MP3 file instead. The file is much smaller and works in any music player or audio editor.
This is ideal for saving music, podcast episodes, lectures, or interviews where the visuals don't matter.
Why MP4 Is the Best Format
MP4 with H.264 encoding is the most widely supported video format in existence. Every phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, and video editor handles it natively. No codec packs, no transcoding, no compatibility headaches.
When you download a YouTube video as MP4, the file plays immediately on whatever device you saved it to. It also imports cleanly into editing software like Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or CapCut.
Free, No Limits, No Signup
There is no account required, no daily download cap, and no premium tier. The tool is completely free to use. Paste a YouTube link, choose your quality, and get the MP4. That's the entire process.