How to save a YouTube video
- Install Vidak and open the app.
- Open the exact video, Short or stream on YouTube and copy its URL.
- Paste the link into Vidak and select “Find”.
- Choose 4K, Full HD, HD or SD, then select H.264, AV1 and subtitles when available.
- Choose a destination folder and start the download.
Short youtu.be URLs and links from music.youtube.com work the same way. Search-result pages and a channel homepage are not individual media links.
4K, H.264 and AV1 explained
Vidak shows only the resolutions supplied by the source video. Choose H.264 for broad compatibility with older TVs, editors and players. AV1 can provide a smaller file at comparable visual quality, but it needs a newer device for smooth playback.
YouTube commonly serves high-resolution video and audio as separate streams. FFmpeg combines them locally during the processing stage. Merging a long 4K video can take a few minutes even after the network download has finished.
When YouTube asks you to sign in
Bot checks, age restrictions and members-only videos may require an authenticated session. In Vidak, choose a browser where you are already signed in, close that browser completely and retry the link.
cookies.txt file to anyone, including support.Desktop app versus an online converter
| Vidak | Online service | |
|---|---|---|
| Link processing | Runs on your PC | Link is sent to the service |
| Large files | Saved directly to your drive | May have server limits |
| Queue and resume | Included | Depends on the service |
| Advertising | None | Common |
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Copy the URL of an open Short and paste it like any other video link.
4K appears only when the original upload offers it. Vidak does not artificially upscale a lower-resolution source.
Yes. Follow the dedicated YouTube to MP3 guide.