YouTube Download Made Easy: Installing yt-dlp on Ubuntu the Right Way
YouTube Download is no longer a hassle, thanks to yt-dlp, a powerful command-line tool that puts you in control. Unlike other downloaders that struggle with site restrictions and updates, yt-dlp stays ahead of the curve, offering seamless video downloads from YouTube and hundreds of other platforms.
Whether you need high-quality music videos, long-form lectures, or quick tutorials, yt-dlp delivers flexibility, letting you choose formats, resolutions, and even skip sponsored segments—all with a simple command.
This guide walks you through installing the latest version of yt-dlp on Ubuntu, ensuring uninterrupted access to your favorite videos. Whether you’re a casual user saving content for offline viewing or an archivist preserving valuable media, we’ll cover everything from installation to essential commands and configurations to optimize your downloads.
- A Frustrating Download Experience (That Led to This Guide)
- A Quick Note on Responsible Usage
- What is yt-dlp?
- Why Use yt-dlp for YouTube Download?
- Installing Dependencies on Ubuntu
- How to Install yt-dlp on Ubuntu
- Verifying yt-dlp Installation
- How to Use yt-dlp for YouTube Download
- Unlock Seamless YouTube Downloads on Ubuntu
A Frustrating Download Experience (That Led to This Guide)
I wrote this article after running into an annoying issue: I had just set up a fresh Ubuntu system and needed to download a YouTube video. I ran yt-dlp, expecting a quick and easy download, but instead, I got a blunt error—my version was outdated and incompatible with YouTube.
No problem, I thought. I tried apt-get update and apt upgrade, then attempted to install yt-dlp via apt install, only to hit another roadblock. The solution? Installing from the source. Since I don’t want you to go through the same headache, I’ve compiled this step-by-step guide to make the process painless.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
A Quick Note on Responsible Usage
This guide is for educational purposes only. yt-dlp is an incredibly powerful tool, but it should be used responsibly. Downloading videos without permission may violate copyright laws, so always ensure you have the right to access and store any media you download.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
What is yt-dlp?
If you’re looking for a reliable YouTube download solution on Ubuntu, yt-dlp is the tool you need. It’s a powerful, open-source command-line program designed to download videos from YouTube and other streaming platforms.
Built as a fork of the now-defunct youtube-dl, yt-dlp offers enhanced performance, frequent updates, and additional features like better format selection, sponsor skipping, and improved metadata handling. Unlike sketchy online converters, yt-dlp gives you full control over video quality, formats, and subtitles—all from the command line.
Whether you want to save tutorials, lectures, or offline entertainment, yt-dlp ensures your YouTube download process is fast, efficient, and hassle-free.
Characteristics of yt-dlp
- Open-Source & Actively Maintained – A fork of youtube-dl with frequent updates and community support.
- Supports Multiple Platforms – Downloads videos from YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and many other sites.
- Advanced Format Selection – Allows users to choose specific video/audio quality, codecs, and resolutions.
- SponsorBlock Integration – Skips sponsored segments automatically when downloading videos.
- Metadata & Subtitles Handling – Downloads and embeds metadata, thumbnails, and subtitles in various formats.
- Faster & More Efficient – Optimized for speed with improved parallel downloads and rate limiting.
- Customizable & Scriptable – Extensive configuration options, allowing automation and integration into workflows.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility – Works on Linux, macOS, Windows, and even Termux on Android.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
Why Use yt-dlp for YouTube Download?
When it comes to YouTube download, yt-dlp stands out for several reasons:
- Regular updates that keep it compatible with the latest changes on YouTube and other platforms.
- Enhanced features like download formats, multiple video qualities, and automatic merging of video and audio streams.
- Open-source and actively maintained by a community of developers.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
Installing Dependencies on Ubuntu
Before you install yt-dlp on Ubuntu for YouTube download, ensure that the required dependencies are installed. Open your terminal and run the following command to update your system and install Python3, Pip, and FFmpeg (which is needed for video processing):
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip ffmpeg· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
How to Install yt-dlp on Ubuntu
Once the dependencies are installed, you can install the latest version of yt-dlp using Python’s package manager, Pip. This ensures that you always get the most recent release:
python3 -m pip install -U yt-dlpThe -U flag tells Pip to upgrade to the latest version if yt-dlp is already installed.
Internal link:
For more Linux-related tutorials, check out our Linux How To archives.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
Verifying yt-dlp Installation
To confirm that yt-dlp has been installed successfully and is ready for YouTube download, you can check the version by running:
yt-dlp --versionThis command should output the version number of yt-dlp, confirming that it has been installed correctly.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
How to Use yt-dlp for YouTube Download
Now that yt-dlp is installed, you can start using it to download YouTube videos. The most basic command is as follows:
yt-dlp <YouTube-URL>This command will download the highest-quality video available from the provided YouTube link. If you want to download audio only or change the format, you can specify those options using different flags. For instance, to download audio only:
yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 <YouTube-URL>If you’re interested in learning more about yt-dlp features, you can visit their official GitHub page.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
Unlock Seamless YouTube Downloads on Ubuntu
With yt-dlp installed, you now have a powerful, flexible tool for YouTube downloads at your fingertips. No more frustrating errors, outdated versions, or compatibility issues—just smooth, efficient downloads tailored to your needs. Whether you’re saving tutorials for offline learning, archiving content, or simply ensuring access to your favorite videos anytime, yt-dlp makes it effortless.
Ready to master video downloads on Ubuntu? Follow the steps in this guide and take control of your media. If you found this helpful, check out the full article on my website for additional tips, advanced commands, and troubleshooting tricks!
Leave a Reply