YouTube has millions of videos on topics that range from entertaining to educational. Most videos are classified as public, while others are categorized as private; that is, only selected users can access those videos. With privacy settings, users can remotely store their videos or keep them as sensitive materials. However, the downside is that YouTube does not allow you to download private videos directly and make them viewable offline.
There exist reasons that warrant the downloading of a YouTube private video. For example, you could be the one who uploaded this video and needs a backup of it, or the owner has permitted you to save it. In either case, the correct tool might be used to safely download and store these videos.
This guide provides a bunch of methods to download private YouTube videos that are safe and effective, such as desktop software, online tools, mobile apps, and utilities from the command line. Still, always ensure you have authorization to proceed, as downloading without acceptance could result in a breach of YouTube’s Terms of Service.
Before diving into download methods, it is essential to understand the different privacy settings on YouTube:
- Public Videos: These are available to everyone and can be freely shared.
- Unlisted Videos: Only accessible via a direct link but not visible in search results.
- Private Videos: Restricted to specific users chosen by the uploader.
Method 1. Download Private YouTube Videos with UltConv
- Easily download YouTube to MP4 in 1080p quality.
- Download YouTube video, playlist, channel in 1080p with one click.
- Batch download YouTube videos in 1080p at the same time.
- Support to convert video from 10,000+ sites, like YouTube, OnlyFans, Tik Tok, etc.
UltConv Video Converter is an increasingly popular tool to download YouTube videos to MP4 in 1080p, including private YouTube videos. It is designed for simplicity, giving it popularity among those interested in saving restricted content for offline viewing.
This comes in handy for those who have been given access to a private video and need it stored conveniently. Moreover, UltConv Video Converter allows you to save YouTube Playlist at one click.
First, visit the FliFlik official website and download the software. Follow the installation instructions to set it up on your PC/Mac.
FREE DOWNLOADSecure Download
FREE DOWNLOADSecure Download
To access private videos, log in to your YouTube account using built-in browser. It allows direct access to private videos within the software.
Navigate to the private YouTube video you want to download and copy its URL from the address bar.
Paste the copied URL into the designated input field. In some cases, the software automatically detects the link, streamlining the process.
Click Download and wait for the software to process the video. Once complete, the file will be ready for offline viewing on your device.
Method 2. Download Private YouTube Videos with VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is one of the most versatile open-source media players because it supports practically every video format. In addition to general media file playing, VLC can also stream and extract video links from YouTube. The user may also find this very useful for private videos they already have access to and would like to archive for offline viewing.
- Launch VLC on your PC or Mac to begin the process. Ensure you have the latest version installed for the best performance.
- Click on Media in the top menu, then select Open Network Stream. This option allows VLC to retrieve and stream online videos directly.
- Copy the URL of the private YouTube video and paste it into the designated field in VLC. This ensures the player can fetch the video from YouTube.
- Click Play, and VLC will begin streaming the private video. At this stage, VLC pulls the video directly from YouTube’s servers.
- Navigate to Tools > Codec Information in VLC’s menu. This will display technical details about the streamed video, including its direct URL.
- Locate the Location field at the bottom of the Codec Information window. Copy and paste the entire URL into your web browser’s address bar. Press Enter to load the video.
- Once the video starts playing in your browser, right-click anywhere on the video and select Save video as… Choose your desired file location, and the private YouTube video will be downloaded to your device.
Method 3. Download Private YouTube Videos with iViGo.cc

iViGo.cc is indeed a free and online tool that is very easy to use. It is quite easy for users to save restricted content to access offline. Because everything runs in a web browser, you don’t have to do the complicated setup that might only leave it accessible to a desktop while leaving out all mobile device owners.
- Open your web browser and visit iViGo.cc.
- Log in to YouTube and navigate to the private video.
- Copy the video URL and paste it into iViGo’s search box.
- Click the Download button and choose the format and resolution.
- Select Start Download, and the video will be saved to your device.
Method 4. Download Private YouTube Videos Using yt-dlp
yt-dlp is an incredibly powerful open-source application for command-line environments adept at downloading YouTube videos, even of private nature. It is a command-line tool compared to graphical downloaders, giving the user immense control over aspects such as video quality, format, and authentication.
- Download and install yt-dlp from its GitHub repository.
- Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux).
- Type the following command:
yt-dlp –cookies-from-browser chrome “PRIVATE_VIDEO_URL”
- Press Enter, and yt-dlp will process and download the video.
Replace “chrome” with your actual browser name and “PRIVATE_VIDEO_URL” with the specific video link. If the tool fails to extract cookies, close your browser completely and retry the process.
Method 5: Download Private YouTube Videos on Mobile

If you prefer using a mobile phone to download videos, we’ve got you covered. YT Saver is a specialized Android application that allows users to directly download private YouTube videos onto their phones. Comfortable and accommodating, this program does away with the need for any desktop or web-based tool in the saving of restricted content.
- Download and install YT Saver from a trusted source.
- Open YouTube in your mobile browser and log in.
- Copy the private video URL.
- Open YT Saver and paste the link.
- Select the preferred video quality and format.
- Tap Download, and the video will be saved on your device.
Conclusion
Downloading private YouTube videos can be useful for those who need offline access to restricted content, whether for backup, educational purposes, or personal use. Several methods, including FliFlik UltConv, VLC Media Player, and iViGo.cc, yt-dlp, and YT Saver for Android offer different approaches to saving private videos securely and efficiently. However, it’s crucial to respect YouTube’s Terms of Service and ensure you have the necessary permissions before downloading any private content. Unauthorized downloads may violate platform policies.