How to Download YouTube Shorts Free
YouTube Shorts are short, vertical, and addictive — but YouTube gives you no download button for them. If you want to save a Short to watch offline or repost with credit, you need a downloader.
xi downloads YouTube Shorts as clean MP4 files with no watermark. It works on iPhone, Android, and desktop, straight from your browser.
Most Shorts downloaders either watermark the video or force you through an app install. xi pulls the original MP4 directly from YouTube's servers, so what you get is exactly what the creator uploaded — vertical, crisp, and clean. It takes about ten seconds from copy to saved file, and it works the same on iPhone, Android, and desktop.
How to do it — step by step
Tips
- Shorts download fast because they're under 60 seconds — usually just a few megabytes.
- You can also download Shorts as MP3 if you only want the audio track.
- Always credit the original creator if you repost a Short elsewhere.
- Some Shorts use licensed music that may be muted in the downloaded file depending on the source.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Screen-recording instead of downloading — you get worse quality plus the Shorts UI burned in.
- Using the YouTube app's share sheet incorrectly — always choose 'Copy link', not sharing to another app.
- Trying to download a Short that was deleted — if the link shows an error on YouTube itself, no tool can fetch it.
- Expecting 4K from Shorts — they're typically 720p or 1080p; that's the platform's quality, not the downloader's fault.
- Reposting without credit — Shorts are still someone's content; credit the creator.
Frequently asked questions
Can I download YouTube Shorts without watermark?
Yes. YouTube Shorts don't carry a platform watermark the way TikTok does, so downloads from xi are clean by default.
Why can't I download some Shorts?
The Short may have been deleted, made private, or restricted by the uploader. Deleted and private content can't be downloaded by any tool.
What format are Shorts saved in?
MP4, in the original vertical 9:16 format — perfect for re-uploading to TikTok, Reels, or Shorts.
Does this work on iPhone?
Yes. Use Safari, paste the link on apiproai.com, and save to the Files app. No app install needed.
Is there a limit on how many Shorts I can download?
No. xi is free with no daily limits and no account required.
After downloading your Short
- Trim the start/end with your phone's built-in editor if there's dead air.
- If reposting, add your own caption and always credit the original creator.
- Keep the vertical 9:16 format — cropping to square or landscape ruins the framing.
- Store Shorts you might reuse in a dedicated folder so they're easy to find.