How To Install YT-DLP (Youtube Downloader)

YT-DLP is a powerful command-line tool. It lets you download videos from more than 1,000 sites, like YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud. This guide shows how to install on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It also offers tips for users who care about privacy.

These are the key requirements to run YT-DLP:

• Python 2.6+/3.2+ (recommended for advanced features)
• FFmpeg (for format conversion)

Linux Installation

Recommended Method (Universal):

sudo wget https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp -O /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp
sudo chmod a+rx /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp

Update with: sudo yt-dlp -U

Package Manager Options:

• Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install yt-dlp
• Fedora: sudo dnf install yt-dlp
• Arch: sudo pacman -S yt-dlp

Note: Repository versions often lag behind – use manual installation for latest features.

macOS Setup

For macOS users, yt-dlp offers multiple installation paths depending on your technical comfort level. Here are the three primary methods:

Recommended: Homebrew Installation

1. Install Homebrew (if not already present):

   /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

2. Install yt-dlp:

   brew install yt-dlp

3. Install FFmpeg for format conversion:

   brew install ffmpeg

Update all components:

brew update && brew upgrade

Manual Binary Installation

1. Download latest macOS binary:

   curl -L https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp_macos -o yt-dlp

2. Make executable and move to PATH:

   chmod +x yt-dlp
   sudo mv yt-dlp /usr/local/bin/

3. Verify installation:

   yt-dlp --version  # Should return 2025.07.15+

Python PIP Method

python3 -m pip install --upgrade yt-dlp

Post-Install Essentials

1. FFmpeg Integration (if not using Homebrew):
   Download from official FFmpeg builds and add to PATH
2. Configuration File (~/.yt-dlp/config):

   --extract-audio
   --audio-format mp3
   --output "~/Downloads/%(title)s.%(ext)s"

Troubleshooting Tips:

• “Command not found” errors → Verify PATH configuration in ~/.zshrc
• M1/M2/M3 chip issues → Use Rosetta terminal or native Homebrew ARM installation
• Outdated versions → Force update with yt-dlp -U

Windows Configuration

1. Download yt-dlp.exe
2. Place in dedicated folder (e.g., C:\ytdlp)
3. Add to PATH:

• Right-click Start → System → Advanced Settings
• Add C:\ytdlp to Environment Variables

FFmpeg Integration:

• Download FFmpeg builds[4]
• Place ffmpeg.exe in same directory as yt-dlp.exe

Advanced Options

Python PIP Installation (All OS):

python3 -m pip install -U yt-dlp

For minimal dependencies:

python3 -m pip install --no-deps -U yt-dlp

Configuration Pro Tip:
Create yt-dlp.conf in your home directory with preferred settings:

--no-mtime
--embed-thumbnail
--output "%(title)s.%(ext)s"

Verification:
Confirm installation with:

yt-dlp --version

Expected output: 2025.07.15 (or newer)

Keep your installation updated through original channels rather than third-party repackaged versions.