yt-dlp for Beginners

What is yt-dlp?

yt-dlp is a free, open-source command-line program that can download video and audio from YouTube and many other supported websites.

🖥️ Windows PC Setup

For Windows, put everything in one folder:

C:\yt-dlp

When finished, the folder should look like this:

Step 1 - Create the Folder

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Open C:\.
3. Create a new folder named yt-dlp.

You should now have:

C:\yt-dlp

Step 2 - Download yt-dlp

Official yt-dlp project:

Official releases:

Direct Windows download:

Save or move yt-dlp.exe into:

C:\yt-dlp

Step 3 - Download FFmpeg

YouTube often provides the best-quality video and best-quality audio as separate streams. yt-dlp downloads both, and FFmpeg combines them into one finished video file.

Official FFmpeg website:

Windows FFmpeg builds:

Direct Essentials ZIP:

1. Download ffmpeg-release-essentials.zip.
2. Right-click the ZIP and choose Extract All.
3. Open the extracted folder.
4. Open the bin folder.
5. Copy ffmpeg.exe and ffprobe.exe into C:\yt-dlp.

You do not need ffplay.exe for yt-dlp.

Step 4 - Download Deno

Deno is a JavaScript runtime used by current yt-dlp versions for full YouTube support.

Official Deno site:

Official installation instructions:

Deno releases:

For most Windows PCs, download the Windows x64 ZIP named similar to:

deno-x86_64-pc-windows-msvc.zip

Extract it and copy deno.exe into:

C:\yt-dlp

Step 5 - Open yt-dlp

1. Open C:\yt-dlp in File Explorer.
2. Click the address bar at the top.
3. Type cmd.
4. Press Enter.

A Command Prompt window should open showing:

C:\yt-dlp>

Step 6 - Download a Video

Basic download:

yt-dlp "YOUTUBE-URL"

Example:

yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O1oQvUBUIo"

The finished file will normally appear in:

C:\yt-dlp

Best Video + Best Audio

yt-dlp -f "bv*+ba/b" "YOUTUBE-URL"

Prefer MP4 Output

yt-dlp -f "bv*+ba/b" --merge-output-format mp4 "YOUTUBE-URL"

Audio Only / MP3

yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 "YOUTUBE-URL"

Update yt-dlp

yt-dlp -U

If YouTube suddenly stops working, try the latest nightly build:

yt-dlp --update-to nightly

If You Get HTTP Error 403 Forbidden

First update yt-dlp:

yt-dlp --update-to nightly

Then try again:

yt-dlp -f "bv*+ba/b" "YOUTUBE-URL"

Also make sure your folder contains:

📱 Android Setup

On Android, the easiest full yt-dlp setup is through Termux. Termux gives Android a Linux-style command line and does not require root access.

Step 1 - Install Termux

Official Termux website:

Termux GitHub:

Termux on F-Droid:

For beginners, the F-Droid version is an easy choice.

Step 2 - Give Termux Storage Access

termux-setup-storage

Android should ask for storage permission. Select Allow.

Step 3 - Update Termux

pkg update
pkg upgrade

If asked whether you want to continue, enter:

y

Step 4 - Install Python and pip

pkg install python python-pip

Step 5 - Install yt-dlp

pip install -U "yt-dlp[default]"

Step 6 - Install FFmpeg

pkg install ffmpeg

You do not download Windows .exe files on Android.

Step 7 - Install Deno

pkg install deno

Step 8 - Test Everything

Check yt-dlp:

yt-dlp --version

Check FFmpeg:

ffmpeg -version

Check Deno:

deno --version

Step 9 - Download a Video

Basic:

yt-dlp "YOUTUBE-URL"

Save directly to Android's normal Downloads folder:

yt-dlp -P /storage/emulated/0/Download "YOUTUBE-URL"

Best video + best audio:

yt-dlp -P /storage/emulated/0/Download -f "bv*+ba/b" "YOUTUBE-URL"

Audio only / MP3:

yt-dlp -P /storage/emulated/0/Download -x --audio-format mp3 "YOUTUBE-URL"

Update yt-dlp on Android

pip install -U "yt-dlp[default]"

Quick Cheat Sheet

C:\yt-dlp

yt-dlp.exe
ffmpeg.exe
ffprobe.exe
deno.exe

yt-dlp "YOUTUBE-URL"

yt-dlp -f "bv*+ba/b" "YOUTUBE-URL"

yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 "YOUTUBE-URL"

yt-dlp --update-to nightly

pkg update
pkg upgrade
pkg install python python-pip
pip install -U "yt-dlp[default]"
pkg install ffmpeg
pkg install deno

yt-dlp -P /storage/emulated/0/Download "YOUTUBE-URL"

yt-dlp -P /storage/emulated/0/Download -f "bv*+ba/b" "YOUTUBE-URL"

yt-dlp -P /storage/emulated/0/Download -x --audio-format mp3 "YOUTUBE-URL"

Official / Useful Links

yt-dlp:

yt-dlp Windows EXE:

yt-dlp Releases:

FFmpeg:

FFmpeg Windows Builds:

Direct FFmpeg Essentials ZIP:

Deno:

Deno Releases:

Termux:

Termux on F-Droid:

Termux GitHub:

Return to Diamond Build Repository

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