YouTube Videos & Shorts to MP4 for Windows

Recommended by the author

How to Convert YouTube Videos and Shorts to MP4

Updated on Aug 24, 2026

Need an MP4 copy of a regular YouTube video or a Short? The practical method depends on the device you are using. This guide covers a Windows desktop downloader for single videos, Shorts, playlists, and channels, mobile options for Android and iPhone/iPad, and two browser-based tools that currently work without installing desktop software.

Method 1: Download YouTube Videos and Shorts as MP4 on Windows

Method 2: Save YouTube Videos & Shorts as MP4 on Android or iPhone

Method 3: Convert YouTube to MP4 with Online Tools

Method 1: Download YouTube Videos and Shorts as MP4 on Windows

For Windows users who download videos regularly, WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is a good choice. It keeps downloading, recording, editing, and format conversion in one program. Its Downloader works with normal 8K, 4K, and 1080p YouTube videos and Shorts, and it can also analyze playlist and channel links. This is useful when you want to queue several items instead of processing every video separately.

Analyze URLs for YouTube videos or Shorts

Download Download and install the app on your Windows PC.

Step 1. Launch it, choose "Downloader", and click "+ New Download". Copy the URL of a normal YouTube video, a Short, a playlist, or a channel, paste it into the URL box, and click "Analyze".

Step 2. When the analysis finishes, choose the MP4 option with the quality you need. Click "OK" to add it to the task list. You can repeat the process to add more URLs before downloading.

Step 3. Choose an output folder and click "Download All" to start the batch downloading process. The queued videos will be saved to your computer.

👉 For playlists or channel links, review the analyzed items and select only the videos you actually need when a list is presented.

What If YouTube Only Gives You a WEBM Download?

Not every YouTube upload exposes the same container and codec combinations. If the Downloader only lists WEBM for the quality you want, download it first instead of forcing a lower-quality MP4. Then return to the main window and use "Converter".

Convert Downloaded Video to MP4

Step 1. Go back to the main interface and open "Converter". Click "Add Files" to import the downloaded WEBM videos.

Step 2. Open the output format panel and choose "MP4" under the "Video" category. You can also choose another common video format or an audio-only profile such as MP3 when you only need the sound.

Step 3. Click "Parameter settings" to change encoder, resolution, bitrate, etc. if needed. Choose the output folder and click "Run" to start the conversion. Multiple downloaded files can be added and converted together.

NOTE: Only download videos you own, have permission to save, or are otherwise allowed to download. YouTube's Terms of Service restrict downloading unless the service authorizes it, the rights holder gives permission, or applicable law allows it.

Method 2: Save YouTube Videos & Shorts as MP4 on Android or iPhone

If you mainly watch YouTube on a phone, a mobile app can be more convenient than moving files from a PC. Android has dedicated downloader apps such as TubeMate and Seal. On iPhone and iPad, Documents by Readdle is better treated as a browser and file manager that can save the MP4 file produced by a web downloader.

Save YouTube Videos & Shorts as MP4 on Android

👉 Android Option 1: TubeMate

TubeMate is a long-running Android video downloader distributed as an APK from its official website rather than Google Play. Open TubeMate, locate the YouTube video or paste its link, tap the download button, and choose an available MP4 resolution before saving.

Because TubeMate is sideloaded, get the APK only from the developer's official site and keep Android's security protections enabled. If you are not comfortable installing an APK outside Google Play, use Seal instead.

👉 Android Option 2: Seal

Seal is a free, open-source Android downloader built around yt-dlp and is available from GitHub and F-Droid. Copy a YouTube video or Shorts link, paste or share it to Seal, choose the video format and quality, and start the download. Seal can also process playlists, although YouTube-side changes can occasionally require an app or yt-dlp update.

YouTube to MP4 on iOS

👉 iPhone/iPad: Documents by Readdle

Documents by Readdle is not a YouTube extractor by itself. Its useful part here is the built-in browser and download manager.

Open the browser in Documents, visit a web downloader such as Save-Tube or YTDown.to, paste the YouTube video or Shorts URL, choose MP4, and save the generated file to the Downloads folder in Documents. You can then play it there or move/share the file through iOS as needed.

Method 3: Convert YouTube to MP4 with Online Tools

Online YouTube downloaders change frequently, so older recommendations may stop working without notice. At the time of this update, Save-Tube.com and YTDown.to are accessible and provide browser-based MP4 downloads for YouTube links.

Convert YouTube to MP4 with Online Tools

👉 Option 1: Save-Tube.com

Save-Tube offers dedicated pages for YouTube Shorts, regular videos, MP4, and other download types. Copy the YouTube or Shorts link, paste it into Save-Tube, let the site analyze the URL, then choose an available MP4 quality and download the file.

👉 Option 2: YTDown.to

YTDown.to follows a similar workflow: paste the YouTube link, click "Download", and select the MP4 quality you need. The site currently says it supports regular videos and Shorts and also offers MP3 when available.

⚠️ Online-tool caution: web downloaders can change domains, add advertising, or stop parsing YouTube after a site update. Avoid pages that ask you to install an unknown extension, enable suspicious browser notifications, or enter your YouTube password. If an online site fails, switch to another method rather than repeatedly clicking pop-ups or fake download buttons.

FAQs

Q1. Can I download YouTube Shorts as MP4?

Yes. A Shorts link can be analyzed like a regular YouTube video link by WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro, and the mobile/online options above can also handle Shorts when the service supports the link.

Q2. Why is there no MP4 option for a YouTube video?

YouTube may provide different containers or codec combinations at different resolutions. If the quality you want is only available as WEBM, download that version first and convert it to MP4 afterward.

Q3. Can I download a whole YouTube playlist or channel?

WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro can analyze playlist and channel links and add multiple items to the download task list. Seal also supports playlist downloading on Android.

Q4. Can I save only the audio as MP3?

Yes. After downloading the video with WonderFox, import it into Converter and choose MP3 or another audio-only format. Some online tools may also present an MP3 option.

Q5. Is it always allowed to download a YouTube video?

No. YouTube's Terms restrict downloading except when YouTube provides or authorizes the download, the rights holder gives permission, or applicable law permits it. Always check the rights and rules that apply to the specific video.

Kevincy Berel

Kevincy joined the WonderFox team in 2014 and has been a senior columnist ever since. With over two decades of experience in the video editing industry, he shares tutorials, tips, and how-to guides on video/audio processing and personal DVD backups. Family-oriented and passionate about helping others, he is dedicated to making video and audio processing easier for readers.