YouTube offers an outlet for many people since it helps creators share content they are passionate about. For this reason, with nearly 2 billion active accounts at the moment, the number of YouTube users is always on the rise. While watching videos on the official website or app is usually enough for most people, some prefer to have a copy of their favourite clips to be able to watch them at their leisure without having to deal with connection issues. There are many ways you can download YouTube videos, but live streams are a bit trickier since they might get deleted after the event is over. So, is downloading YouTube streams feasible? This is what you will find out if you continue reading!
Wait Until the Stream Is Over
Waiting until the user finishes their stream is one of the easiest ways of downloading it. However, it does not work in all cases. YouTube automatically makes an archived version of the stream and uploads it on the streamer’s account as long as the video does not go over 12 hours. The YouTuber may then choose to let all the users on the platform access the video, allow only their subscribers to see it, or simply delete it. If the latter is the case, it will be impossible to download the stream. On the other hand, if you manage to find the archived version, you can get a local copy of it using any of the following methods:
-
YouTube’s Official Smartphone App
YouTube has a smartphone application that is specially made for Android and IOS devices. The great thing about this application is that it enables you to download some videos without forcing you to subscribe to YouTube Premium. Assuming that you have a smartphone (duh), you can use this special application to check whether the stream is available for download. If it is, you will be able to choose the resolution you want. The downside of this method is that it neither supports background playback nor allows you to watch the stream using a 3rd party media player. Also, not all videos are downloadable using this method.
-
Online Downloaders
Want a free way to download your favourite live streams? Then, why don’t you try an online downloader? YouTube online downloaders can help you download any stream you want as long as the user who created it does not delete the archived version. You can find plenty of different downloaders online, and you will just have to get the link of the stream and grab a local version of it. Unfortunately, most of these tools do not offer high resolutions, so you will have to settle for 480p.
-
YouTube Premium
If you have no qualms about paying a monthly subscription, YouTube Premium is perhaps the best service you can use to download streams. It is also definitely worth it, considering that you get YouTube Music for free as a part of the package. For $12 a month, you can download any stream you want, provided that it is public. Furthermore, the service supports background playback, which means that you do not have to keep your screen unlocked—a great advantage if you are into music streams.
Download the Stream While It’s In Progress
-
Special Software
If you do not mind downloading dedicated software, this method is for you. Many PC programs allow you to get a local copy of YouTube live streams while they are still on. The creators of Viddly YouTube Downloader recommend that you choose a program that offers stable download speeds and high resolutions. Fortunately, you do not have to pay a penny to get these special programs, as most of them are completely free or at least have a basic, free plan.
-
Screen Recorders
This method is a bit archaic but still works well. Provided that you have a stable connection, you can let the stream play in real-time while using a screen recorder to capture it. Yet, make sure that you are aware of the factors that affect the quality of the recording. To get a crisp recording, be sure to set the quality of the stream at 720p at the very least. Also, max out the volume of your device to capture clean sounds and voices.
Whether you are into gaming streams, writing sprints, or sports events, YouTube streams are a great source of entertainment. As you can deduce from the above points, downloading these streams is not impossible as long as you follow our workarounds. By using services like YouTube Premium or free ones like online and local downloaders, you can get a copy of your favourite clips without any hassle.
