By Huzaifa Alam, EasyYTDown · Updated September 27, 2026
Quick answer: paste the Short's URL (the one with /shorts/ in it) into EasyYTDown, pick MP4, and download. Shorts are short, so they usually process quickly. The rest of this page covers the parts that trip people up: getting the right URL format, why some Shorts fail to download, and what the file looks like once you have it.
Shorts Links: What to Copy
YouTube Shorts are vertical or square videos up to three minutes long (for Shorts uploaded on or after October 15, 2024, according to YouTube Help). Their links look like this:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XXXXXXXXXXX
Regular videos use /watch?v= instead. EasyYTDown accepts the /shorts/ link, the /watch?v= link and the short youtu.be link for the same video, so paste whichever one you have.
Why Download YouTube Shorts?
- Save for offline viewing: Watch on planes, trains, or anywhere without Wi-Fi
- Archive before deletion: Creators sometimes delete content — save what you love
- Share without a link: Send the video file directly to friends on WhatsApp, Telegram, or email
- Personal content backup: If you are the creator, save your own Shorts locally
- Repurpose for personal use: Use clips for personal compilations, study material, or reference
Getting the File — Five Steps
Step 1: Get the YouTube Short URL
There are two ways to get the URL of a YouTube Short:
On a phone (YouTube app or mobile browser): open the Short, tap Share on the right side, then Copy link.
On a computer: open the Short and copy the link from the address bar.
Step 2: Open EasyYTDown
Go to easyytdown.com in any browser. No sign-up required.
Step 3: Paste the Short URL
Click or tap the URL input box on the EasyYTDown homepage. Paste the Short URL using Ctrl+V (Windows/Linux), Cmd+V (Mac), or the Paste button on the page.
Step 4: Select Format and Quality
Choose MP4 (Video) as the format, then a quality from the dropdown: 360p, 480p or 720p on the free plan, or 1080p on Pro. The download can't be sharper than the Short was uploaded in.
Step 5: Download
Tap Download Now. Because Shorts are short, processing is usually quick. When the result card appears, tap the download button. The MP4 file saves to your device.
Downloading YouTube Shorts on Different Devices
On Android
Open the YouTube app, find the Short, tap Share → Copy Link. Open Chrome, go to easyytdown.com, paste the link, select quality, and tap Download Now. The file saves to your Downloads folder and may also appear in your Gallery.
On iPhone
In the YouTube app (or YouTube in Safari), open the Short and tap Share → Copy link. Then go to easyytdown.com in Safari, paste the link and download. The file saves to the Files app (Files → Downloads). To save to Photos: open the file in Files → Share → Save Video.
On Windows PC
Open YouTube in any browser, find the Short, copy the URL from the address bar. Open a new tab and go to easyytdown.com. Paste the URL and download. The file saves to your Downloads folder.
On Mac
The process is identical to Windows. Copy the URL from YouTube, paste into EasyYTDown, download. The MP4 file saves to your Downloads folder and can be played in QuickTime or any video player.
Vertical vs. Horizontal Video — What Does a Downloaded Short Look Like?
Shorts have a vertical or square aspect ratio (YouTube Help); most are 9:16 portrait. When you play a vertical Short on a PC or TV (which is landscape, 16:9), the video has black bars on the left and right. This is normal; the file isn't broken.
On a phone held upright, a 9:16 Short fills the screen.
Can I Download Shorts That Are Not Public?
EasyYTDown can only download Shorts that anyone with the link can watch without signing in. Private Shorts (visible only to the uploader) and age-restricted Shorts can't be downloaded.
Shorts vs. Regular YouTube Videos — Any Difference in Download?
From EasyYTDown's perspective, Shorts and regular videos are handled the same way. The main practical differences:
- Shorts usually process faster because they are short
- Shorts are vertical or square; regular videos are usually horizontal (16:9)
- The quality options are the same for both: up to 720p free, 1080p on Pro
- Both download as MP4 (or MP3 audio on Pro)
Common Problems When Downloading Shorts
The URL shows as invalid
Make sure you pasted the complete link, including the video ID after /shorts/. On a phone, copy the link with Share → Copy link rather than from the browser's address bar.
The Short is not downloading — it says "unavailable"
The Short may be private, deleted, or age-restricted. Try opening the Short URL directly in your browser first to confirm it loads correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Short lower quality than I picked?
A download can't be better than the version YouTube has. If the Short was uploaded at a low resolution, that is the best available, and EasyYTDown can't upscale it.
Can I download Shorts from the YouTube Shorts feed?
Yes — tap Share → Copy Link on any Short in the feed to get its direct URL.
Do downloaded Shorts have the YouTube watermark?
EasyYTDown doesn't add a watermark or logo to the file.
Can I use downloaded Shorts in my own videos?
Only if you have rights to the content — i.e., you are the original creator, or the video is licensed for reuse (Creative Commons). Using other creators' content in your own videos without permission can result in copyright strikes.
What is the maximum duration of a YouTube Short I can download?
YouTube Shorts can be up to three minutes long, for Shorts uploaded on or after October 15, 2024 (YouTube Help). EasyYTDown handles Shorts the same way as regular videos.
How to Download YouTube Shorts for Reposting (Legally)
A common question: can I download a YouTube Short and repost it on Instagram Reels or TikTok? The answer depends entirely on copyright ownership:
- Your own Shorts: you can repost your own content, and YouTube Studio lets you download your own uploads
- Creative Commons Shorts: Check the license in the description — CC-BY allows reposting with attribution
- Other creators' Shorts: Reposting without permission is copyright infringement, even if the video is public. Always ask the creator or get explicit permission before reposting their content
- Compilation accounts: reposting other people's Shorts in compilations without permission is infringement too
Even for personal viewing, downloading with a third-party tool goes against YouTube's Terms of Service unless YouTube or the rights holder allows it. See is it legal to download YouTube videos? for the details.
To save a Short now, paste its link into the MP4 downloader: free up to 720p, no sign-up.
Sources
- YouTube Help: Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts
- YouTube Help: Upload YouTube Shorts (length and aspect ratio)