You're scrolling through YouTube Shorts and something stops you — a clip that's funny, useful, or genuinely moving. You want to save it. Not just bookmark it, but actually have the file. So you look for a download button and find… nothing. YouTube doesn't provide one for Shorts. That's where a dedicated downloader comes in.
This guide explains what YouTube Shorts are, why you might want to save them, how to find the right URL, and the exact steps to download any Short to your phone or computer for free.
What Are YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts are short-form vertical videos, capped at 60 seconds, designed to be watched on a phone in portrait mode. YouTube launched Shorts in 2020 as its answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels, and the format has grown into one of the most-watched content types on the platform.
What makes Shorts distinct from regular YouTube videos isn't just the length — it's the format. They're shot and optimized for vertical screens (9:16 aspect ratio), often highly edited, and built for rapid consumption in a continuous feed. Creators make them for quick entertainment, tips, tutorials, recipe demos, comedy clips, and viral moments.
From a technical perspective, Shorts live on YouTube's servers like any other video. They have their own URLs (typically containing /shorts/ in the path), and they're downloadable using the right tool.
Why Download YouTube Shorts?
There are more legitimate reasons to save a Short than you might think:
- Save your favorites before they disappear. Creators delete content. Accounts get suspended. A Short you love today might not exist tomorrow. Having a local copy means you keep it regardless.
- Share offline. You want to show someone a funny clip but you're somewhere without internet. Having the file means you can just play it directly from your device.
- Reference material. A Short demonstrating a cooking technique, a workout movement, a DIY fix — anything instructional you want to be able to rewatch without hunting for it every time.
- Content creation workflow. Editors, marketers, and social media managers often save reference clips for mood boards, style references, or reaction content. Saving the file is more reliable than hoping a YouTube link stays live.
- Reposting with credit. If a creator's work resonates with your audience and you want to share it on another platform with proper attribution, having the file makes that workflow smoother. Always credit the original creator.
Save any YouTube Short to your device in HD — no app, no account, no ads.
Download YouTube Shorts Now →How to Find the YouTube Shorts URL
Before you can download a Short, you need its URL. This is slightly different depending on where you're watching it.
On a desktop browser
If you're watching a Short through the YouTube Shorts feed, look at your browser's address bar. The URL will look something like this: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XXXXXXXXXXX. Just click the address bar and copy the whole URL.
Alternatively, right-click on the Short and look for a "Copy video URL" option — though this depends on the browser.
On the YouTube mobile app
While a Short is playing, tap the Share button (the arrow icon, usually on the right side of the screen). From the share sheet that appears, tap "Copy link." The link will be copied to your clipboard and will include /shorts/ in the URL.
On a mobile browser
If you're watching YouTube in Safari, Chrome, or another mobile browser, tap the address bar to see and copy the full URL. It'll look the same as the desktop URL.
One thing to note: some Shorts URLs contain the standard /watch?v= format rather than /shorts/ — this depends on how you accessed the video. Both work fine with NoAdsDownloader.
Step-by-Step: How to Download a YouTube Short
- Find the Short you want to save. Navigate to the video using YouTube's app or website.
- Copy the link. Use the Share button in the app, or copy the URL directly from your browser's address bar.
- Open NoAdsDownloader's Shorts page. Head to the dedicated Shorts downloader.
- Paste the URL. Drop the copied link into the input field and hit Download.
- Choose your quality. Select the resolution you want. For most Shorts, 1080p is available and looks sharp on any screen.
- Save the file. Tap or click the download link. The video saves directly to your device.
On phones, the file typically lands in your Downloads folder. On iPhone, you may find it in the Files app under Downloads, and you can then save it to your Photos library from there if you prefer. On Android, most Gallery apps will detect new video files in Downloads automatically.
Tips for Downloading Shorts on Mobile
Since most people watch Shorts on their phones, it's worth addressing the mobile experience specifically.
You don't need to install anything. NoAdsDownloader works in your existing mobile browser — Chrome on Android, Safari on iPhone, or whatever you use. No app download, no sign-up.
The fastest workflow on mobile: copy the link from the YouTube app, switch to your browser, and navigate to NoAdsDownloader. Paste the link, choose your quality, download. The whole process takes under a minute.
If you're on an iPhone and the video opens in the browser instead of downloading, tap and hold the download link and look for a "Download Linked File" option. This forces the file to save rather than stream.
One thing to keep in mind: Shorts are vertical videos (portrait orientation). If you're planning to use the file in a project that expects landscape video, you'll need to crop or reframe it in an editing app. But for playback on a phone, portrait orientation is exactly what you want.