Many people want to download YouTube videos to share on WhatsApp with their friends and family. While WhatsApp doesn’t allow uploading videos directly, there are some easy workarounds to get YouTube videos into WhatsApp. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the different methods for downloading YouTube videos and getting them on WhatsApp on both iPhone and Android.
Why Download YouTube Videos for WhatsApp?
Here are some of the top reasons you may want to download YouTube videos to send on WhatsApp:
- Share funny or interesting videos with your WhatsApp contacts
- Forward educational or instructional videos to your classmates or colleagues
- Send YouTube video links that aren’t supported on WhatsApp as files
- Create a library of videos to watch offline later
- Save and share videos that you want to keep access to later
Without downloading, you can only share YouTube video links on WhatsApp. But your contacts may not be able to view the videos if they don’t have internet access at the moment. Downloading allows you to send the actual video file for instant offline viewing.
Methods to Download YouTube Videos for WhatsApp on iPhone
Here are the top 4 methods for downloading YouTube videos on your iPhone to send to WhatsApp contacts:
1. Use the Documents by Readdle App
Documents by Readdle is a free file management app for iOS that allows downloading YouTube videos. Here are the steps:
- Install Documents by Readdle app on your iPhone
- Open the YouTube video you want to download
- Tap the Share button below the video
- Choose Documents by Readdle
- The video will start downloading within the Documents app
- Once finished, open Documents and you will find the video in the Downloads folder
- Tap and hold the video file and choose Share
- Select WhatsApp to share the YouTube video
This provides a quick and easy way to save any YouTube video directly on your iPhone storage. The Documents app also allows renaming files, organizing downloads, and transferring files across devices.
2. Use Online YouTube Downloaders
There are many free online YouTube download sites that allow you to download videos with just the video URL. Here is how to use them to get YouTube videos for WhatsApp:
- Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to download
- Go to an online download site like SaveFrom.net or DownloadYoutube.io
- Paste the YouTube video URL into the download site
- Select the video quality and download format
- Click the download button to save the video file to your device
- Go to your device’s Files/Downloads folder and find the video
- Tap and hold the video and select Share
- Choose WhatsApp and select your contact to send the video
This method works for sharing both on Android and iPhone devices. Just make sure to use a reputable site to avoid malware.
3. Use a WhatsApp Download Shortcut
Some websites provide a shortcut way to download YouTube videos and directly share to WhatsApp. Two examples are:
- whatsappvideodownloader.com – Copy and paste the YouTube URL, choose video quality, click WhatsApp download and directly send the video.
- snappea.com – This site generates a shareable link which downloads the YouTube video when opened on an iPhone. Send this link on WhatsApp and your contact can download the video.
These shortcut tools make downloading and sharing super quick in just a few clicks.
4. Use YouTube Premium
If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, you can download YouTube videos directly within the YouTube iOS app. Here’s how:
- Make sure you’re signed into YouTube with your Premium account
- Find the video you want to download and tap the Share button
- Choose “Save video” to download it to your device
- Go to the YouTube app Library and you will find the video
- Tap and hold on the video file and select Share
- Choose WhatsApp and pick a contact to send it
This gives you an ad-free way to download videos without any third-party apps. But of course, a YouTube Premium subscription costs money.
Methods to Download YouTube Videos for WhatsApp on Android
Android devices make downloading YouTube videos easy through both apps and websites. Here are the top methods:
1. Use Video Downloader Apps
There are many downloader apps on Google Play that integrate with WhatsApp. Some top options include:
- Videoder – Supports fast downloading in various formats and one-click sharing to WhatsApp.
- Snaptube – Downloads videos and music and allows sending to WhatsApp contacts.
- 4K Video Downloader – Downloads YouTube playlists and channels and integrates with WhatsApp.
To use these apps:
- Install the video downloader app from Google Play Store
- Launch the app and paste the YouTube video URL
- Tap the download button and choose video quality
- Once downloaded, open the app library and find the video
- Tap on the video, then tap the Share button
- Choose WhatsApp to send the video to a contact
These apps provide fast and free YouTube downloads. Look for ones that are reputable and have positive reviews.
2. Use WhatsApp Download Shortcuts
Just like on iPhone, some sites offer quick YouTube downloading and WhatsApp sharing in just a few clicks. Examples include:
- whatsappvideodownloader.com – Copy and paste URL, select quality, click WhatsApp download and send.
- snaptube.com/whatsapp-video-downloader – Paste URL, choose format, tap WhatsApp download to send video.
These shortcut tools make it easy to get YouTube videos into WhatsApp quickly.
3. Use Online YouTube Converters
Online video converter sites allow downloading YouTube videos in WhatsApp supported formats like MP4. Some top sites include:
- OnlineVideoConverter.com – Supports downloading YouTube to MP4 and direct sharing to WhatsApp.
- VideoConvert.com – Converts YouTube to MP4, MKV, and more formats for WhatsApp.
- OnlineConvertFree.com – Quickly convert YouTube to shareable WhatsApp formats.
To use these sites:
- Go to the site and paste the YouTube URL
- Select MP4 as the output format
- Click Convert and download the file when ready
- Open your device’s Files app and find the video
- Tap and hold the video, then choose Share
- Select WhatsApp to send it to your contacts
The converted MP4s are perfectly sized for sharing on WhatsApp.
4. Use a File Manager App
File manager apps like ES File Explorer and X-plore allow direct YouTube downloading and WhatsApp sharing. Follow these steps:
- Install the file manager app from the Play Store
- Open the app and find the YouTube downloader tool
- Paste the YouTube URL and tap Download
- Once finished, open the app’s Downloads folder
- Tap and hold the YouTube video and select Share
- Choose WhatsApp and select a contact
File manager apps provide an all-in-one solution for managing, downloading, and sharing files.
Extra Tips for Sharing YouTube Videos on WhatsApp
Here are some additional tips for smoothly sending YouTube videos on WhatsApp:
- For the fastest sharing, download videos in small file sizes around 10MB or less.
- Rename downloaded files to something short and clear for easy identification.
- Clean up old downloaded YouTube videos regularly so they don’t clutter up your storage.
- When sharing a video link on WhatsApp, shorten the URL using a site like bit.ly to prevent messy texts.
- Always make sure to only download and share videos you have the rights to use.
- If a video file is too large to send, use a file compression app to reduce the size before sharing.
Following these tips will help ensure your YouTube videos share smoothly and quickly on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about downloading YouTube videos for WhatsApp:
Can I download YouTube videos directly within WhatsApp?
No, WhatsApp does not currently support downloading videos directly from YouTube or other sites. Third-party apps and sites are required to get YouTube videos in a shareable format for WhatsApp.
Is it legal to download YouTube videos to share on WhatsApp?
In most cases, it is fine to download YouTube videos for personal sharing purposes. However, always make sure you own the rights or have permission if sharing copyrighted content commercially. Avoid sharing pirated videos.
What video formats can I send on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp supports sharing common video formats like MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, and more. The recommended format is MP4 for compatibility across devices. Videos up to 100MB can be shared.
How do I compress a YouTube video for WhatsApp?
Use online converter tools like OnlineVideoConverter which allow resizing videos while downloading. On Android, apps like Video Compress can optimize videos before sending to WhatsApp.
Can I send YouTube videos on WhatsApp status?
Yes, downloaded YouTube videos in MP4 or other supported formats can be shared to your WhatsApp status for 24-hour viewing by your contacts. This provides a way to share videos without sending to entire groups.
Conclusion
Downloading YouTube videos to share on WhatsApp is easy with just a few handy tools. Whether you’re on iPhone or Android, apps, websites, and converter sites provide all you need to save videos from YouTube and get them into WhatsApp for sharing offline.
Following this guide’s step-by-step instructions for the various options, you can quickly become a YouTube-WhatsApp video sharing expert. So download some fun videos to brighten up your next WhatsApp group chat or wow your friends on status. Just make sure to only share legally and steer clear of large files that are tough to send.
With the ability to access YouTube’s endless video options, you can share your discoveries and express yourself on WhatsApp in more ways than ever.