10 Free Ways To Download YouTube Audio Mac With Ease

Have you ever been in a situation where you just want to enjoy your favorite music or song on YouTube and wish it were possible to download it offline? Well, the problem is, YouTube doesn’t offer a direct way to do that and save just the audio. This leaves many users, especially Mac users, frustrated.

However, the fun part is that you can now easily handle this situation. With the right tools, you can download YouTube audio Mac in minutes. In this article, you’ll explore 10 unique methods to make it happen in no time.

Before Downloading YouTube Audio on Mac

Wait a little! Before you start jumping right into saving your favorite YouTube tracks. You need to keep a few things in mind. After all, while downloading audio can be super handy, there are some points you should note to avoid trouble later on. So, here are the top four things to consider:

Copyright concerns: The main concern when it comes to downloading Audio is copyright. You need to make sure that the songs you are downloading are for personal use only or where they are legally allowed.
Audio quality: Check out the audio quality of songs while downloading them. As, Not all songs offer the same high-quality results.
Safety of tools: Stick to trusted platforms to avoid malware or hidden risks while downloading.
Storage space: Audio files may not be huge, but saving multiple tracks will still require some space on your Mac.

Download Music from YouTube to Mac with YouTube Premium

You can now enjoy your favorite YouTube tunes offline with YouTube Premium on your Mac with simple and easy steps. Just remember, these downloads expire if your device doesn’t connect to the internet at least every 29 days, and there are device limits to keep in mind.

Steps to Download YouTube Music with YouTube Premium:

Step 1: Start by signing in to your YouTube Premium account by simply visiting the site.

Step 2: Now, open the video you want and click the Download button below it.

Step 3: Choose your preferred video quality for the download.

Step 4: Access your saved content anytime from the Downloads section in the left menu.

Note: Keep in mind that Premium allows offline downloads on up to 10 devices, with only 4 device swaps per year. Also, with YouTube Premium, the music you download isn’t saved as an audio file on your Mac, so you can only play it in the app. That’s why a lot of users don’t see it as a real download and look for other ways to save music from YouTube to their Mac.

How to Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Apps

Let’s make things easier by using dedicated apps to grab YouTube audio directly on your Mac. These apps often offer higher quality, more formats, and faster downloads compared to online tools. Plus, they give you the flexibility to manage and organize your audio files effortlessly.

Way 1: Download YouTube Audio on Mac with OneConv Video Converter

Take my word for it, OneConv Video Converter is your go-to when it comes to downloading YouTube audio on Mac with ease. This tool helps you by giving you access to your favorite tracks online without any limits, as it just makes the whole process hassle-free, while still keeping the quality intact.

No matter if you’re saving one song, a podcast, or an entire playlist, OneConv just makes the process smooth, fast, and super reliable. It also gives you a wide range of supported formats and time-saving batch conversion. Also, if you’re a SoundCloud user, OneConv can download your favorite tracks, essentially giving you an ad-free experience, just like a SoundCloud ad blocker, but with the added benefit of owning the audio you love.

Key Features:

Easily download YouTube audio on Mac with lossless quality up to 320 kbps.
OneConv lets you convert YouTube audio into formats like MP3, AAC, or WAV, allowing you to play them on any device you prefer.
1-Click download YouTube playlists at once, instead of downloading them one by one.
Support 1000+ websites, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and more.

Steps to Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Ease:

Step 1: Download and install OneConv on your Mac, then launch the program and set the output format under the ‘Download’ section.

Step 2: Access YouTube and find the content you want to download. Copy the URL from the address bar and past it into OneConv.

Step 3: OneConv will start downloading the YouTube audio automatically.

Step 4: Check your results in the Download Panel. Once the process is complete, you’ll find your YouTube audio ready to play anytime on your Mac.

Way 2: Download YouTube Audio on Mac with VLC Player

The best thing about the VLC player is that it’s not just any media player; it’s a simple and handy tool that lets you save YouTube audio on your Mac. You can easily extract audio directly from any YouTube video with just a few simple changes. VLC is a free open-source method that works perfectly well if you are not using any extra apps.

Steps to Download YouTube Audio on Mac with VLC Player:

Step 1: If you already don’t have VLC, you can download and install it on your device.

Step 2: Copy the YouTube video link and open VLC. Then you click File and Open Network.

Step 3: Now, paste the YouTube link and play it inside VLC.

Step 4: Once done, use Convert/Stream options to extract and save the audio file.

Note: VLC may feel a bit technical for beginners, and sometimes YouTube changes cause certain links not to work. This method also requires manual conversion settings.

Way 3: Download YouTube Audio on Mac with yt-dlp

Another reliable way to download YouTube audio on Mac is yt-dlp. It’s a powerful command-line tool and one of the most reliable ways. yt-dlp is lightweight, fast, and the best thing is that it gives you complete control over how you want your audio files saved.

Steps to Download Music from YouTube to Mac with yt-dlp:

Step 1: Install Homebrew on your Mac (if not already installed).

Step 2: Then you can use Homebrew to install yt-dlp by simply running brew install yt-dlp in Terminal.

Step 3: Copy the YouTube video link you want to extract audio from.

Step 4: Run yt-dlp -x –audio-format mp3 [paste link] in Terminal to save the audio.

Note: Since yt-dlp runs in the Terminal, if you are new to command line tools, it may seem a little tricky. However, once you’ve got it set up, it’s one of the fastest and most consistent ways to download YouTube audio.

How to Download YouTube Audio on Mac Online

Online converters are best if you just don’t want to download apps or use complex tools. You can easily grab audios with only a YouTube link and a browser, without any need of extra steps. These platforms are usually free and support common audio formats.

Way 1: Download YouTube Audio on Mac with YTMP3

One of the most popular online converters for downloading YouTube audio is YTMP3. It’s quick and lets you turn any video into MP3 or MP4 format in just seconds. To do that, all you need is the video link.

Steps to Download YouTube Audio on Mac for Free:

Step 1: Go to ytmp3.cx on your Mac browser.

Step 2: Then move to YT and copy the video link you want to download and paste it into the search box.

Step 3: Choose MP3 as your format for audio.

Step 4: Click Convert, then download the file once it’s ready.

Note: Pop-ups and ads might appear as YTMP3 is a free site. Try sticking to the official site and double-check downloads to ensure safety.

Way 2: Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Savefrom

Savefrom is another simple online tool that makes downloading YouTube audio straightforward. It works by pasting the video URL and letting you quickly grab audio or video files. The process is fast and doesn’t require installing extra software, making it a go-to for quick conversions.

Steps to Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Savefrom:

Step 1: Visit Savefrom.net. Copy the YouTube link of the video you want.

Step 2: Paste the link into the search field on the website.

Step 3: Select audio format and download directly to your Mac.

Note: Although SaveFrom works well, it can sometimes redirect you or require an extension, depending on regional restrictions.

Way 3: Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Y2Mate

Y2Mate is another trusted online converter as it allows you to quickly save YouTube audio. This software works smoothly on Mac browsers, and it supports MP3 downloads with decent quality. Also, with this tool, you don’t need an account; just paste the link and download.

Steps to Download YouTube Audio on Mac Online:

Step 1: Go to Y2Mate on your Mac. Copy the YouTube video link and paste it into the tool.

Step 2: Choose the MP3 option for audio. Hit download to save the file.

Note: Use an ad-blocker if possible and ensure you’re clicking the correct download button. It sometimes shows pop-up ads.

How to Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Browser Extension

If you don’t want to dig into the hustle of switching between tools and websites, browser extensions are a convenient way to grab YouTube audio directly while browsing. They integrate with your browser, so you can download without leaving the YouTube page.

Way 1: Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Addoncrop

Addoncrop is a dedicated YouTube MP3 converter extension that works smoothly with browsers like Chrome and Opera. It places a download button right under YouTube videos, making it super easy to save audio instantly.

Steps to Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Addoncrop:

Step 1: Visit Addoncrop and install the YouTube MP3 Converter extension via CrossPilot.

Step 2: Restart your browser and open any YouTube video.

Step 3: You’ll now see a Download MP3 button under the video player.

Step 4: Click it, select quality, and your audio file will save directly to your Mac.

Way 2: Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Video DownloadHelper

A powerful extension that helps you download any audio from video you want from any platform is Video DownloadHelper. This site is ideal for those users who want speed and simplicity without the need to download any extra software.

Steps to Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Browser Extension:

Step 1: Simply install Video DownloadHelper from the Firefox Add-ons store.

Step 2: You need to play a YouTube video and then click the extension icon in your browser toolbar.

Step 3: Select the audio format you want, and download it straight to your Mac.

How to Download YouTube Audio on Mac with Screen Recorder

Sometimes, the smart solutions work the best. With that said, you can also use a simple screen recorder to save your favorite track from YouTube. On Mac, QuickTime Player is a built-in tool that can do exactly that. It may not be as fast as converters, but it’s reliable.

Steps to Record YouTube Audio on Mac:

Step 1: Open QuickTime Player on your Mac.

Step 2: Click on File > New Audio Recording from the menu bar.

Step 3: Play the YouTube video you want to capture in your browser.

Step 4: Hit the Record button in QuickTime and stop when done. Save the audio file.

Note: Although this method is easy and secure, you need to remember that the audio quality depends on your system sound setup, and you’ll also need to play the whole video in real time to capture it.

Quick Comparison: Which One Should I Choose?

Tool/Method	Suitable For	Pros	Cons
OneConv (App)	Users who want a straightforward, all-in-one YouTube audio downloader	Easy interface, unlimited downloads, multiple formats, batch conversion	Requires installation
VLC Player (App)	Tech-comfortable users who already use VLC for media	Free, open-source, works as both a player and a converter	Setup feels technical, not always reliable with YouTube updates
yt-dlp (Command-line)	Power users who don’t mind using Terminal	Extremely reliable, fast, and customizable, and supports many formats	Requires command-line knowledge and is tricky for beginners
Online Tools (YTMP3, Savefrom, Y2Mate)	Casual users who just want a quick one-off download	No installation needed, very fast, simple interface	Ads, occasional pop-ups, and limited quality options
Browser Extensions (Addoncrop, DownloadHelper)	Frequent YouTube users who want quick access from a browser	Direct download from the YouTube page, convenient, no switching tools	Some need extra setup, may not work on all browsers
QuickTime Player (Screen Recorder)	Users who want a built-in, safe option without installing anything	Pre-installed on Mac, very secure, flexible for partial recordings	Real-time recording, lower efficiency, dependent on system sound setup

FAQs

Q. Does YouTube Premium let me download audio as MP3 files?

No, it only allows offline playback within the YouTube app or site. It doesn’t allow you to save audio as MP3 files that you can use outside the platform.

Q. What audio quality can I get when downloading YouTube audio on Mac?

This depends on the tool you choose. Apps like OneConv or yt-dlp offer high-quality options like 320kbps MP3, while online tools may provide lower quality.

Q. Does Mac’s Safari browser support downloading YouTube audio?

No, Safari itself doesn’t have a built-in option, but you can use online tools or extensions that work through Safari to download audio from YouTube.

Conclusion

As we discussed many tools above in the article, you can use any suitable way to download YouTube audio Mac from apps and extensions to online tools and recorders. Each of the methods has its own strengths. However, we will suggest OneConv to someone who needs a reliable and user-friendly option with high-quality output. You can trust this tool as it’s fast and perfect for building your offline music library without hassle.