YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform, offers a vast library of content, from educational tutorials and entertaining vlogs to music videos and documentaries. Inevitably, you’ll stumble upon videos you want to watch but don’t have the time for at that moment. This is where the “watch later” functionality becomes invaluable. This comprehensive guide explores various methods for saving YouTube videos to watch later, both officially and through alternative approaches.
Understanding the “Watch Later” Feature
The most straightforward way to save videos on YouTube is by utilizing its built-in “Watch Later” feature. This feature is designed for precisely this purpose: to bookmark videos for future viewing. It’s seamlessly integrated into the YouTube interface and accessible across different devices.
Adding Videos to “Watch Later”
Adding a video to your “Watch Later” list is incredibly simple. When you find a video you want to save, look for the “Save” button beneath the video player. Clicking this button opens a small menu. One of the options will be “Watch Later.” Select this option, and the video is instantly added to your personal “Watch Later” playlist.
Alternatively, hover your mouse over a video thumbnail on the YouTube homepage or in search results. You’ll see a small “Watch Later” icon appear. Clicking this icon directly adds the video to your list without having to open the video itself.
Accessing Your “Watch Later” Playlist
Finding your saved videos is just as easy as saving them. On the YouTube website or app, look for the “Library” tab on the left-hand sidebar (on the website) or at the bottom of the screen (on the app). Within the “Library,” you’ll find a “Watch Later” playlist. Clicking or tapping on this playlist will display all the videos you’ve saved.
You can also access your “Watch Later” playlist directly through its URL: youtube.com/playlist?list=WL. This can be useful for sharing your playlist with others, although keep in mind that “Watch Later” playlists are typically private by default.
Managing Your “Watch Later” Playlist
Your “Watch Later” playlist is more than just a dumping ground for saved videos. You can manage it effectively to keep it organized and relevant.
Removing videos from your “Watch Later” playlist is simple. When viewing the playlist, hover over the video you want to remove. A menu icon (usually three dots) will appear. Click on this icon and select “Remove from Watch Later.”
You can also remove videos while watching them. Below the video player, you’ll see the “Save” button you used to add the video in the first place. Clicking this button again will remove the video from your “Watch Later” playlist.
YouTube also allows you to move videos from your “Watch Later” playlist to other playlists you’ve created. This is helpful for categorizing videos based on topic or interest. Simply click the menu icon next to a video in your “Watch Later” playlist and select “Save to playlist.” Then, choose the playlist you want to move the video to.
Benefits of Using the “Watch Later” Feature
The “Watch Later” feature offers several advantages for YouTube users.
First, it provides a convenient way to save videos you don’t have time to watch immediately. This prevents you from forgetting about interesting content you come across while browsing.
Second, it helps you organize your viewing habits. By saving videos to your “Watch Later” list, you can create a curated selection of content to watch when you have free time.
Third, it allows you to watch videos offline on mobile devices. YouTube Premium subscribers can download videos from their “Watch Later” playlist for offline viewing, which is perfect for commutes or travel.
Creating Custom Playlists
While the “Watch Later” feature is useful, creating custom playlists offers greater flexibility and organization. Playlists allow you to group videos by topic, theme, or any other criteria you choose.
How to Create a Playlist
Creating a playlist on YouTube is straightforward.
Start by finding a video you want to add to a new playlist. Click the “Save” button below the video player. In the menu that appears, click “+ Create new playlist.” Give your playlist a name and choose a privacy setting (Public, Private, or Unlisted). Then, click “Create.” The video will be added to your new playlist.
You can also create a playlist from your YouTube channel page. Go to your channel page and click on the “Playlists” tab. Then, click the “New playlist” button. Give your playlist a name and choose a privacy setting.
Adding Videos to Existing Playlists
Adding videos to existing playlists is similar to adding them to the “Watch Later” list. When you click the “Save” button below a video, you’ll see a list of your existing playlists. Simply select the playlist you want to add the video to.
Managing Your Playlists
You can manage your playlists from your YouTube channel page. Go to your channel page and click on the “Playlists” tab. You’ll see a list of all your playlists.
From here, you can edit the playlist name, description, and privacy settings. You can also rearrange the order of videos in the playlist, add new videos, and remove videos.
To rearrange the order of videos, simply drag and drop them into the desired position. To add new videos, click the “Add videos” button. To remove videos, click the menu icon next to the video you want to remove and select “Remove from playlist.”
Benefits of Using Custom Playlists
Custom playlists offer several advantages over the “Watch Later” feature.
First, they allow you to organize videos by topic or theme. This makes it easier to find specific videos when you want to watch them.
Second, they allow you to share collections of videos with others. This is useful for sharing educational resources, curated entertainment, or collections of your own content.
Third, they provide a more personalized viewing experience. By creating playlists that reflect your interests, you can create a custom TV channel for yourself.
Downloading Videos for Offline Viewing (YouTube Premium)
YouTube Premium offers the ability to download videos for offline viewing. This is a great option if you want to watch videos when you don’t have an internet connection, such as on a plane or during a commute.
How to Download Videos with YouTube Premium
To download a video with YouTube Premium, simply open the video in the YouTube app on your mobile device. Below the video player, you’ll see a “Download” button. Tap this button to start the download.
You can choose the video quality before downloading. Higher quality videos will take up more storage space on your device.
Downloaded videos are stored within the YouTube app and can be accessed from the “Downloads” section of your “Library.”
Restrictions on Downloading
There are some restrictions on downloading videos with YouTube Premium.
First, you can only download videos on mobile devices (phones and tablets). You can’t download videos to your computer.
Second, downloaded videos are only available within the YouTube app. You can’t transfer them to other devices or apps.
Third, downloaded videos expire after a certain period of time. This is usually 48 hours, but it can vary depending on the video and your YouTube Premium subscription. After the video expires, you’ll need to reconnect to the internet to renew the download.
Benefits of Downloading Videos
Downloading videos offers several benefits.
First, it allows you to watch videos offline. This is perfect for situations where you don’t have an internet connection.
Second, it saves on data usage. By downloading videos ahead of time, you can avoid using your mobile data plan when you’re on the go.
Third, it provides a smoother viewing experience. Downloaded videos play without buffering or interruptions.
Using Third-Party Apps and Websites (Proceed with Caution)
Numerous third-party apps and websites claim to allow you to download YouTube videos. However, using these tools can be risky.
Risks of Using Third-Party Tools
Using third-party apps and websites to download YouTube videos can expose you to several risks.
First, many of these tools are ad-supported and may contain malware or viruses. Downloading and installing these tools could compromise the security of your device.
Second, downloading videos from YouTube without permission violates YouTube’s terms of service and copyright law. You could face legal consequences for doing so.
Third, many of these tools are unreliable and may not work as advertised. They may download low-quality videos or fail to download videos at all.
Ethical Considerations
Downloading videos from YouTube without permission raises ethical concerns. Creators rely on ad revenue to support their work. By downloading videos and watching them offline, you’re depriving creators of this revenue.
If you want to support your favorite creators, consider subscribing to their channels, watching their videos on YouTube, and sharing their content with others.
Alternatives to Downloading
If you want to watch YouTube videos offline without using third-party tools, consider subscribing to YouTube Premium. This provides a safe and legal way to download videos for offline viewing.
Alternatively, you can try recording the screen while playing the video. While this method is not ideal (as it captures everything on your screen), it can be a viable option in certain situations. Be mindful of copyright laws and only use this method for personal use.
Saving Videos to Other Platforms
Sometimes, you might want to save a YouTube video to a different platform, such as a note-taking app, a task manager, or a social media platform. This can be useful for organizing information, creating to-do lists, or sharing videos with friends.
Copying the Video Link
The simplest way to save a YouTube video to another platform is to copy the video link. To do this, open the video on YouTube and click the “Share” button below the video player. A pop-up window will appear with the video link. Copy the link and paste it into the desired platform.
Most platforms will automatically embed the video when you paste the link. This allows you to watch the video directly from the platform without having to open YouTube.
Using Browser Extensions
Several browser extensions allow you to save YouTube videos to other platforms with a single click. These extensions typically add a button to the YouTube video page that allows you to save the video to a variety of different services.
Some popular browser extensions for saving YouTube videos include:
- Pocket: Saves articles and videos to read or watch later.
- Evernote Web Clipper: Saves webpages and articles to Evernote.
- OneNote Web Clipper: Saves webpages and articles to OneNote.
Benefits of Saving Videos to Other Platforms
Saving videos to other platforms offers several benefits.
First, it allows you to organize videos in a way that makes sense for you. You can save videos to note-taking apps to create study guides, to task managers to create to-do lists, or to social media platforms to share videos with friends.
Second, it allows you to access videos from different devices. If you save a video to a cloud-based platform, you can access it from any device with an internet connection.
Third, it allows you to share videos more easily. By saving videos to social media platforms, you can share them with your friends and followers.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Method for You
Saving YouTube videos to watch later is a simple yet powerful way to manage your viewing experience. Whether you opt for the built-in “Watch Later” feature, create custom playlists, subscribe to YouTube Premium, or explore alternative methods, the key is to find a solution that aligns with your needs and preferences. Remember to be mindful of copyright laws and ethical considerations when using third-party tools. By utilizing these techniques, you can ensure that you never miss out on the videos that matter most to you. The vast world of YouTube content is now more accessible and manageable than ever before.
What exactly does “Watch Later” do on YouTube?
The “Watch Later” playlist on YouTube is a built-in feature that allows you to save videos you find interesting but don’t have time to watch immediately. It acts as a personal queue, letting you curate a collection of content to enjoy at your convenience. Think of it as a digital bookmark for videos, helping you avoid forgetting about potentially interesting discoveries.
Adding videos to “Watch Later” is incredibly simple; just click the “Save to Watch Later” button (usually represented by a clock icon) under the video. These videos are then stored in a dedicated playlist that you can access anytime from your YouTube account on any device. This playlist remains private to you unless you choose to share it.
How do I add a YouTube video to my Watch Later playlist?
Adding a video to your “Watch Later” playlist on YouTube is a straightforward process. When you’re viewing a video, look for the “Save” button located below the video player. Click this button, and a dropdown menu will appear. Select “Watch Later” from the options presented. The video will then be instantly added to your playlist.
Alternatively, you can often find a small clock icon (representing “Watch Later”) next to a video when browsing search results or your subscription feed. Clicking this clock icon directly adds the video to your “Watch Later” playlist without you having to open the video itself. This makes it a very quick and efficient way to curate your viewing queue.
Where can I find my Watch Later playlist on YouTube?
Accessing your “Watch Later” playlist is easy, no matter which device you’re using to browse YouTube. On the YouTube website (desktop or mobile browser), look for the sidebar menu on the left side of the screen. Scroll down until you see “Watch Later,” and click on it. This will take you directly to your playlist containing all the saved videos.
On the YouTube mobile app (iOS or Android), tap on the “Library” tab located at the bottom of the screen. Your “Watch Later” playlist should be prominently displayed near the top of the Library section. Tapping on “Watch Later” will open the playlist, allowing you to view and manage your saved videos.
Is there a limit to the number of videos I can save in my Watch Later playlist?
Fortunately, YouTube does not impose a strict limit on the number of videos you can save to your “Watch Later” playlist. This allows you to accumulate a substantial collection of videos to watch at your own pace. You can essentially use “Watch Later” as an extensive backlog of content you intend to explore.
However, while there’s no defined limit, consider managing your “Watch Later” playlist regularly. An overly large playlist can become overwhelming and difficult to navigate. Periodically reviewing and removing videos you’re no longer interested in or have already watched will keep your playlist organized and more useful.
How do I remove a video from my Watch Later playlist?
Removing a video from your “Watch Later” playlist is a simple process. Navigate to your “Watch Later” playlist. Hover your mouse over the video you wish to remove (on desktop) or tap on the video (on mobile). You should see three vertical dots (ellipsis) appear next to or on top of the video’s thumbnail.
Clicking or tapping on these three dots will open a menu. One of the options in the menu will be “Remove from Watch Later.” Select this option, and the video will be instantly removed from your playlist. You can also remove a video while watching it by clicking the “Saved” button (which will change to “Save to Watch Later” after removal) located under the video player.
Can I share my Watch Later playlist with others?
While the primary intention of the “Watch Later” playlist is for personal use, YouTube does not directly offer a built-in feature to share it in its entirety with others as a collaborative playlist. “Watch Later” is designed to be a private collection of videos saved for your personal viewing convenience.
However, you can achieve a similar effect by creating a new public or unlisted playlist and manually adding the videos from your “Watch Later” playlist to the new one. Then, you can share the link to that new playlist with your friends or family. This allows you to share the content you’ve saved, albeit with an extra step involved.
Does my Watch Later playlist sync across all my devices?
Yes, your “Watch Later” playlist is automatically synchronized across all devices where you are logged in with the same Google/YouTube account. This means that if you add a video to your “Watch Later” playlist on your computer, it will instantly appear in the same playlist on your phone, tablet, or smart TV, and vice versa.
This seamless synchronization makes the “Watch Later” feature incredibly convenient for managing your video queue across different platforms. You can easily add videos while browsing on one device and then watch them later on another, without having to worry about manually transferring or remembering them.