How to Download YouTube Shorts Without Using Any Software
5/25/2025
|Team CapsAI

1. Use a Web-Based Downloader
Several online tools let you paste a YouTube Shorts link and fetch the video directly:
- SaveFrom.net
- Go to SaveFrom.net in your browser.
- Paste your Shorts URL (e.g.,
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SHORT_ID
) into the input field. - Click Download and choose your resolution.
- Right-click the Download button that appears and select Save link as… to save the MP4.
- OffMP4
- Navigate to OffMP4’s homepage.
- Enter the YouTube Shorts link and hit Start.
- After processing, click Download next to your preferred format.
- Y2Mate
- Open Y2Mate.com.
- Paste the Shorts URL and press Start.
- Scroll to the MP4 options and click Download.
2. Leverage Your Browser’s Developer Tools
Most modern browsers let you grab the direct video file:
- Open the YouTube Shorts video in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
- Right-click anywhere on the page and select Inspect (or press
Ctrl+Shift+I
). - Go to the Network tab and filter by Media.
- Play the Short - watch for a
.mp4
or.webm
file to appear in the list. - Right-click that entry → Open in new tab.
- In the new tab, right-click the video → Save video as… to download.
3. Use “Invidious” Instances
Invidious is an open-source front-end for YouTube that often allows direct downloads:
- Visit an Invidious instance (e.g.,
https://yewtu.be/
orhttps://yewtu.eu.org/
). - Paste the Shorts link into the search bar and press Enter.
- Click the Download button under the video and choose your resolution.
4. Record Your Screen
If all else fails, screen recording is built into many operating systems:
- Windows 10/11: Press
Win + G
to open Xbox Game Bar, then click the record button. - macOS: Press
Shift + Command + 5
, select the recording area, then click Record. - ChromeOS: Press
Ctrl + Shift + Show windows
(the overview key), then click the camera icon.
Want to make your Shorts videos even more engaging with clear subtitles?
Try CapsAI now to create automatic, professional captions instantly!
Get Started With CapsAI Free - Sign Up Today!
1. Use a Web-Based Downloader
Several online tools let you paste a YouTube Shorts link and fetch the video directly:
- SaveFrom.net
- Go to SaveFrom.net in your browser.
- Paste your Shorts URL (e.g.,
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SHORT_ID
) into the input field. - Click Download and choose your resolution.
- Right-click the Download button that appears and select Save link as… to save the MP4.
- OffMP4
- Navigate to OffMP4’s homepage.
- Enter the YouTube Shorts link and hit Start.
- After processing, click Download next to your preferred format.
- Y2Mate
- Open Y2Mate.com.
- Paste the Shorts URL and press Start.
- Scroll to the MP4 options and click Download.
2. Leverage Your Browser’s Developer Tools
Most modern browsers let you grab the direct video file:
- Open the YouTube Shorts video in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
- Right-click anywhere on the page and select Inspect (or press
Ctrl+Shift+I
). - Go to the Network tab and filter by Media.
- Play the Short - watch for a
.mp4
or.webm
file to appear in the list. - Right-click that entry → Open in new tab.
- In the new tab, right-click the video → Save video as… to download.
3. Use “Invidious” Instances
Invidious is an open-source front-end for YouTube that often allows direct downloads:
- Visit an Invidious instance (e.g.,
https://yewtu.be/
orhttps://yewtu.eu.org/
). - Paste the Shorts link into the search bar and press Enter.
- Click the Download button under the video and choose your resolution.
4. Record Your Screen
If all else fails, screen recording is built into many operating systems:
- Windows 10/11: Press
Win + G
to open Xbox Game Bar, then click the record button. - macOS: Press
Shift + Command + 5
, select the recording area, then click Record. - ChromeOS: Press
Ctrl + Shift + Show windows
(the overview key), then click the camera icon.
Want to make your Shorts videos even more engaging with clear subtitles?
Try CapsAI now to create automatic, professional captions instantly!
Get Started With CapsAI Free - Sign Up Today!