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. 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 in separate processes, in one process (sequentially) or in one process (parallel).
- Works with all sites supported by 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 YT-DLP feedback, download folder, file format, remuxing format, download speed, proxy URL, Quicktime compatibility, custom file name template etc.
- Batch downloads.
- PDF help file which describes how to use all MacYDL features.
- Download a text description of the video.
- Option to choose from available download formats.
- Switch between stable and nightly builds of YT-DLP.
- 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.
YT-DLP is the default for all Macs. Python 3.8 is built into the YT-DLP executable. However, Homebrew and MacPorts installs can be used. Detail is in the Help.
youtube-dl can be used with all versions of macOS up to Monterey 12.2.1.
- 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.
More detail is available in the Help file (4.9MB).
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, adenosslept, AirMarty, Alex, alphabitnz, Andy, andyrb412, Anjum, artcore-c, barney1903, Başar, BigJoe309, bovirus, Brandon, CdrSpock, CharlesLai0307, Chris, Dantha, darbid, defcon5at, Didier EuronymousDeadOhlin, EricTheDerek, frissonlabs, GrantGochnauer, gustavosaez, Hamza, heviiguy, hunterbr3193, Infinivibex , ItsMorePaul, Jack, JAKHIGDON, janvdvelde, jeremydouglass, kuglee, L-Kiewa, kuglee, Labhansh-Sharma, leon-chen-wen-jia, macmeister1967, LeonardoMaracino, macmeister1967, MalEbenSo, martinsstuff, meiwechner, michel-GH, Mike, mmaslar, mmicha, MrJmpl3, Nellio, nottooloud, onaforeignshore, pedrocadiz13, Peter, QAQDE, Rick, Raymond-Adams, roest01, Ruben, SwineBurglar, tabascoman77, Ted, Tenz14, thejasonparker, tht7, tigrr, Tobias, Tom, TomasCarlson, upekshapriya, Vinsamlegast78, watto23, williamcorney, Woolfy025, Yehushupat, 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.