Downloading a YouTube playlist can be a breeze with the right tool. I love using yt-dlp. It’s popular on Reddit, and for good reason! This tool packs a punch when it comes to downloading videos. Let’s break down how to grab those playlists without any hassle.
Table of Contents
Get Started with yt-dlp
First things first, if you haven’t installed yt-dlp yet, head over to its GitHub page. The installation might seem tricky at first, but stick with it!
Basic Command to Download a Playlist
To download an entire YouTube playlist, just run this command in your Terminal or Command Prompt:
yt-dlp https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=(playlist ID)
Replace (playlist ID) with the actual ID from the YouTube link. Hit Enter, and voilà! All videos from that public playlist will start downloading.
Name Your Videos
Want to keep things organized? You can number the videos while keeping their original titles. Here’s how:
For simple numbering:
yt-dlp -o "%(playlist_index)s-%(title)s.%(ext)s" (playlist URL)
For leading zeros:
yt-dlp -o '%(autonumber)s-%(title)s.%(ext)s' (playlist URL)
This will label your files as 1-video title or 00001-video title, making it easy to find what you need later.
Download a Portion of a Playlist
Not every video in the playlist is a must-have. If you only want certain ones, use these commands:
To download a specific range:
yt-dlp --playlist-start 10 --playlist-end 50 (playlist URL)
To pick specific videos:
yt-dlp --playlist-items 6,11,30,40-42 (playlist URL)
This way, you can focus on just the content that interests you.
Access Private Playlists
Got a private playlist? No problem! Use this command after signing into your YouTube account in Firefox:
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser firefox "https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=WL"
Make sure to close Firefox after signing in. This command will let you download your Watch Later playlist or any other private content.
Tips for Faster Downloads
Keep in mind that downloading large playlists can take time. If you’re in a hurry, consider downloading fewer videos at once or checking your internet speed.
Using yt-dlp makes downloading playlists straightforward and efficient. With these commands, you’ll have all your favorite videos saved in no time!