Video Download FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Are these download tools really free? What's the catch?

They really are free. yt-dlp is an open-source project, completely free with no ads. Online sites like SnapTik and ssstik are also free to use — they make money from ads on their pages (just use an ad blocker). 4K Video Downloader has a free tier with a 30-video daily limit, which is plenty for light use. Those "pro version" downloaders that ask you to pay are almost certainly just wrapping open-source tools in a skin — don't waste your money.

Q: Is downloading YouTube videos copyright infringement?

Strictly speaking, YouTube's Terms of Service prohibit downloading (except through their official offline feature). But in practice, downloading for personal viewing or learning purposes is rarely enforced. However, if you re-upload to other platforms or use them commercially, that's not just a ToS violation — it involves actual copyright issues. Simple rule: watching yourself is fine; don't redistribute. This site only recommends tools — we do not encourage copyright infringement.

Q: Is there a mobile app for downloading videos?

It depends on the platform. iPhone: basically none — the App Store doesn't allow these kinds of apps. Android is better: NewPipe (open-source YouTube client with download support) and SnapTik App (for TikTok downloads). But honestly, the easiest mobile approach is to open an online site in your browser (like the SnapTik website), paste the link, and download — no app installation needed. If you primarily download on a computer and then transfer to your phone, that's actually the most flexible approach.

Q: What should I do if yt-dlp throws an error?

In 80% of cases, updating solves it: yt-dlp -U. Google and other major platforms change their APIs every few days, so yt-dlp needs to keep up. If it still errors after updating, check the common error table on the Guide page and match your error message to the solution. If all else fails, search the GitHub Issues — chances are someone has already encountered the same problem.

Q: Can downloaded videos be transferred to my phone?

Of course. For Apple devices, AirDrop is the easiest (Mac to iPhone transfers in seconds), or use a USB cable. For Android, just connect via USB and drag the files over. Lazy option: send to yourself via WeChat File Transfer (though WeChat compresses the video, degrading quality), or use cloud storage (Google Drive / iCloud / Dropbox) as a middleman.

Q: Why is the video quality so poor when downloading from online sites?

Most online sites cap out at 1080P, and to save server bandwidth they re-compress the video. If you want lossless original quality, use yt-dlp. Also, for YouTube videos above 1080P, video and audio are stored as separate streams — online sites often only grab the video stream and skip merging the audio track, resulting in silent videos. This is another reason yt-dlp is recommended: it handles all of this automatically.

Q: How do I batch-download all videos from a channel/creator?

yt-dlp supports channel downloads directly: yt-dlp "channel URL". But be aware — a channel could have hundreds or thousands of videos; downloading everything will fill up your hard drive fast. First check the count: yt-dlp --flat-playlist --dump-json "channel URL" | wc -l (Mac/Linux). I recommend adding a limit, such as --playlist-end 50 to download only the most recent 50 videos.

Q: Can I download from Netflix / iQiyi / Tencent Video?

No. These platforms use DRM encryption to protect their videos, and neither yt-dlp nor online sites can crack it. The only legitimate way is to use their official apps' offline caching feature (but cached videos can only be viewed within the app). Nine out of ten "software tools" claiming to crack Netflix downloads online are scams, and the tenth is malware.

Q: How do I convert downloaded .webm files to MP4?

yt-dlp may download YouTube videos in .webm format by default (VP9 encoding). If you want MP4, add the flag --merge-output-format mp4. Already downloaded a .webm and want to convert? Use HandBrake (free and open-source) or FFmpeg: ffmpeg -i input.webm -c copy output.mp4 (this doesn't re-encode, so it's fast).

Q: Are online download sites safe? Can I get a virus?

The webpage itself generally won't contain viruses (browser sandbox isolation), but popup ads may redirect to scam pages or trick you into downloading malware. So: ① Always use an ad blocker (uBlock Origin is the most reliable); ② Never enter personal information or credit card details on any online download site; ③ If the download button doesn't respond, it's probably an ad overlay — press F12 to inspect the element. Simple rule: don't click random popups and you'll be fine.

Q: Why can't I download some TikTok videos?

Several possibilities: the creator set the video to private/friends-only, TikTok removed the video, or you copied a TikTok search page link instead of the direct video link. Make sure you're copying the individual video page URL. Also, some regional TikTok videos require login to view — online sites may not be able to parse those.

Q: I can't install software on my work computer — how can I download videos?

Online sites to the rescue. You don't need to install anything — open the site in your browser → paste the link → download. However, your company network might have a firewall blocking these sites, so you might need to try using your phone's hotspot or different domain mirrors. Also, a heads-up: your IT department can see work computer traffic, so don't download anything too… questionable.