MacYTDL is a utility which downloads videos using the youtube-dl and YT-DLP video downloader scripts. youtube-dl and YT-DLP are able to download videos from a great many web sites. MacYTDL runs on any Apple Mac with macOS 10.10 or later. macOS 10.15 or higher is required to use YT-DLP. MacYTDL has been developed mostly in AppleScript. The code is not accessable from within the applet. However, text exports of the code are in the "Code" folder above and can be opened in Script Editor. MacYTDL is code signed and notarized.
- Download individual videos and playlists.
- Download multiple videos separately (in parallel) or in one process (sequentially).
- Works with all sites supported by youtube-dl and YT-DLP.
- Can switch between youtube-dl and YT-DLP on Macs running macOS from 10.15 to 12.2.1.
- Can cancel individual downloads.
- Can pause/resume downloads.
- By default, will resume interrupted downloads if passed the URL.
- Can pass through any custom settings to youtube-dl and YT-DLP.
- Settings for level of youtube-dl feedback, download folder, file format, remuxing format, download speed, proxy URL, Quicktime compatibility, custom file name template etc.
- Batch downloads.
- Download a text description of the video.
- Localisation – currently Spanish, Italian, French and German are available (switching languages is supported in macOS 10.15 and later).
- Localisation is not yet up-to-date.
- Download and embed subtitles in chosen format and language including auto-generated captions from YouTube.
- Download and optionally embed thumbnail images and metadata.
- Download or extract audio-only files in chosen format.
- Optional macOS Service which gets the current text selection, clipboard contents or active web browser URL, switches to MacYTDL and pastes URL of video to be downloaded.
- The Service can be set to automatically download from the URL of the current web page without showing the Main dialog.
- Settings can be saved, restored and rest to default.
- All components downloaded and/or installed by MacYTDL, which can be controlled by the user. Component updates available in the app.
- Issues notification (via Alerter) when download finished with option to play the video.
- A separate log file is retained for each download enabling problem solving if a download fails.
- Has a built-in uninstaller which moves all components to Trash.
- Includes a range of simple utilities.
- Uses arm64 or x86_64 code according to user's Mac.
An Apple Mac running macOS 10.10 Yosemite and higher is required to use MacYTDL. MacYTDL works in Parallels virtual machines.
youtube-dl can be used with all versions of macOS up to Monterey 12.2.1 and is the default for Macs running macOS versions prior to 10.15 Catalina.
YT-DLP is the default for Macs running macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher. Python 3.8 is built into the YT-DLP executable. Macs running macOS 10.14 or 10.13 can use YT-DLP if two libaries are installed. Some detail on the two library files is on page 51 of the Help.
- Download and open the DMG file.
- Browse the Help file.
- Click and drag MacYTDL to any location - it's best to use the Applications folder.
- Open MacYTDL.
- Click on "Yes" to install various components and create a preferences folder when asked.
- Provide administrator credentials when asked.
- Wait.
- MacYTDL main dialog is displayed.
- Download and open the DMG file.
- Click and drag MacYTDL to your usual location – make sure to replace the old version.
- Open MacYTDL. Components such as the preferences file are updated as required.
- Users on macOS 10.15 Catalina and higher are invited to install YT-DLP.
More detail is available in the Help file (3.97MB).
To report bugs, problems etc., get a Github account, click on the "Issues" tab above and open a new issue. Alternatively, open an item in "Discussions" above or send an email to macytdl@gmail.com.
MacYTDL would be useless without youtube-dl and YT-DLP. They are remarkable, feature rich tools maintained by the most dedicated group of volunteers. It should be noted that youtube-dl has not been updated since December 2021. YT-DLP, however, is in active development.
Much is owed to Shane Stanley, for his many contributions solving problems with MacYTDL. Shane developed Dialog Toolkit Plus which provides the dialogs in MacYTDL. Ideas for this GUI front-end came from many sources including:
- Adam Albrec, author of PPC Media Centre.
- Michael Page (http://techion.com.au), author of the Video Hoarder automator script.
- “kopurando” (https://github.com/kopurando), author of the Virga downloader.
- “Tombs” (https://forum.videohelp.com/members/235982-Tombs) an active contributor to Whirlpool and author of the URLDown Dropper utility for Windows.
- “xplorr” (https://forum.videohelp.com/members/268051-xplorr), author of TVDownloader.
- Anonymous (https://cresstone.com/apps/youtubeDLFrontEnd/), author of youtubeDLFrontEnd.
- Frank, Geoff, John, Santo, Trevor and Walter, fellow members of the ACT Apple Users Group.
- MacYTDL users 1alessandro1, 11lucasarr11, Adam, AirMarty, Alex, alphabitnz, Andy, andyrb412, artcore-c, barney1903, Başar, BigJoe309, bovirus, Brandon, CdrSpock, Dantha, darbid, defcon5at, Didier EuronymousDeadOhlin, frissonlabs, gustavosaez, Hamza, heviiguy, hunterbr3193, ItsMorePaul, Jack, janvdvelde, jeremydouglass, kuglee, L-Kiewa, Labhansh-Sharma. LeonardoMaracino, MalEbenSo, martinsstuff, meiwechner, michel-GH, Mike, MrJmpl3, Nellio, nottooloud, onaforeignshore, pedrocadiz13, Peter, QAQDE, Rick, Raymond-Adams, roest01, SwineBurglar, Ted, thejasonparker, tht7, tigrr, Tobias, Tom, TomasCarlson, upekshapriya, Vinsamlegast78, Woolfy025, zxzzz8.
MacYTDL is a retirement project for me and will always be free. Please consider sponsoring the YT-DLP team. Detail on sponsorships is available here: https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/blob/master/Collaborators.md#collaborators.
If you use other shareware or open source software consider making a donation to the developers – let them know they are appreciated.