How to Download YouTube Videos to USB Drive - 3 Easy Ways in 2025

Part 1. How to Download YouTube Videos to USB Drive - 3 Ways

This section helps you choose the best method to download YouTube videos without Premium to your local device.

If you already have the videos saved locally, jump to Part 2 to learn how to transfer them to USB.

YouTube to USB – Quick Method Comparison

Best Way to Download YouTube Videos to USB Drive (Windows/Mac)

Tool SameMovie VideoOne

With SameMovie VideoOne, the best YouTube to USB Converter, you can quickly download full YouTube movies, playlists, or originals in the background for Free or Premium. It’s a smart tool that’s fast and reliable. Plus, it works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Apple TV, and over 1,000 platforms. You can save videos in HD and easily move them to a USB drive to watch anytime, even without in an blocked internet.

See also: 15 Working YouTube Unblocked Google Sites

Best For

• Save YouTube videos in 4K/8K quality
• Batch download videos, movies, & Shorts
• Preserve subtitles and audio
• No ads + 5x faster download speed+ 100%Safe

Features of SameMovie VideoOne:

• Support Downloading from 15+ Sites
• Watch up to 8K Video Offline on Any Device
• Export Videos in MP4/MKV Format
• Save Multi-language Audio Tracks and Subtitles
• Lightning Downloading Speed

Free Trial Free Trial

Tutorial How to Download YouTube Videos to USB Drive via SameMovie

STEP 1. Open SameMovie and select YouTube from the home screen, or paste a YouTube video link into the search bar.

STEP 2. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner to set your download preferences — including output format (MP4/MKV), video quality, audio language, subtitles, and output folder.

STEP 3. Use the built-in YouTube browser to log in and locate the videos you want to download. Once the video is ready, tap the blue “Download” button on the bottom right.

STEP 4. A settings window will appear — select your video quality and check the file size to make sure your USB has enough space. The highest download quality matches the best quality available on the web player.

STEP 5. Click the "Download" button to begin. Download time depends on your chosen resolution and internet speed. Once finished, find your videos in the "Library" tab. You can now watch these YouTube videos offline on any device or transfer them to a USB drive.

Cons

• Requires installation
• Free trial may have limits

Free Way to Save YouTube Videos to USB Flash Drive (Online)

If you prefer not to install software, an online YouTube downloader is the easiest and free way to save short videos to a USB drive.

Tool Y2Mate / SSYouTube / SnapSave / ...

Best For

• Downloading 1-2 short videos quickly
• No need to install any app
• Basic MP4/MP3 conversion

How to Save YouTube Videos to USB via Y2Mate

STEP 1. Go to YouTube, open the video you want, and copy the URL from your browser’s address bar.

STEP 2. Launch your browser and visit Y2Mate or another trusted online downloader.

STEP 3. Paste the video URL into the input box on Y2Mate’s homepage.

STEP 4. Select output format (MP4 for video, MP3 for audio).

STEP 5. Click the Download button and save the file to your computer (usually in the Downloads folder).

Cons

• Max quality usually 1080p (no 4K/8K)
• No batch downloads (1 video at a time)
• Subtitles rarely preserved
• Risk of malware from ad-heavy sites
• Video length limits (e.g., 60-90 mins)

Critical Tips for Safety

• Use an ad-blocker to avoid fake download buttons. (See also: How to Block Ads on YouTube)
• Never run .exe/.dmg files from these sites—only download MP4/MP3.

Easy Way to Export YouTube Videos to USB (Browser Extension)

A browser extension lets you download videos to USB flash drive easily—no app switching or link copying needed.

Tool Required Video DownloadHelper

Best For

• Frequent YouTube users
• Quick video downloads while browsing

How to Export YouTube Videos to USB via Video DownloadHelper

STEP 1. Install Video DownloadHelper on your FireFox.

STEP 2. Navigate to the YouTube video you want to download. The extension icon will activate when downloadable content is detected.

STEP 3. Click the Video DownloadHelper icon in your browser toolbar and choose the video format and quality (MP4 recommended).

STEP 4. Click “Download” and choose where to save the YouTube file.

Cons

• No batch downloads.
• Not available for Chrome users.
• Can slow down your browser.
• Some videos may not be downloadable.

Part 2. How to Transfer YouTube Videos to USB on Windows/Mac

Once you've downloaded YouTube videos to your computer, transferring them to a USB flash drive is quick and easy. Follow the steps below based on your operating system.

How to Transfer YouTube Videos to USB on Windows

STEP 1 Insert your USB flash drive

Plug your USB drive into a USB port on your PC. Wait for it to appear under This PC or File Explorer.

STEP 2 Open your Downloads folder

Locate the YouTube video(s) you saved earlier — usually in the Downloads folder or the output folder you chose in the downloader.

STEP 3 Copy the video files

Right-click the video (e.g., MP4 or MKV file) and select Copy.

STEP 4 Paste into your USB drive

Open your USB drive from File Explorer and right-click > Paste, or simply drag and drop the video into the USB folder.

STEP 5 Eject the USB safely

After the transfer is complete, click the Safely Remove Hardware or Eject icon in the system tray to eject your USB.

How to Transfer YouTube Videos to USB on Mac

STEP 1 Connect your USB flash drive

Plug your USB into your Mac. It should appear on your desktop or in the Finder sidebar.

STEP 2 Locate your downloaded videos

Open the Downloads folder or the location where your YouTube videos were saved.

STEP 3 Drag and drop

Select the video files and drag them to your USB drive in the Finder sidebar or on your desktop.

STEP 4 Wait for the transfer to finish

Larger video files may take a few seconds to copy depending on size and drive speed.

STEP 5 Eject the USB properly

Right-click the USB icon on your desktop and choose Eject before unplugging it.

Troubleshooting: YouTube Video Transfer to USB Drive

Pro Tips

• Check USB free space (Right-click → Properties/Get Info).
• Reformatting deletes all data—backup first.
• Recover 1,000+ file types easily with Syncios D-Savior.

Part 3. FAQs to Save YouTube Videos onto USB Drive

How to Play YouTube Videos from USB Drive on TV or Car

On a Smart TV with USB Port

Step 1: Insert the USB drive into your TV’s USB port.
Step 2: Use your TV remote to navigate to the USB source/input.
Step 3: Select the video file and press play.

On Car Media Player (with USB support)

Step 1: Plug the USB into your car’s media system.
Step 2: Navigate to “Media” > “USB” on the dashboard screen.
Step 3: Choose and play your video (only works if your system supports video playback).

How to Make YouTube Videos Play in Order on USB

Some USB devices (like car stereos or TVs) play videos based on the file name or write order, not what you see in File Explorer. Here's how to ensure correct playback order:

Rename your videos with numbers at the beginning:
01-Intro.mp4
02-Lesson1.mp4
03-Lesson2.mp4

✅ Method 2: Use DriveSort to Fix Write Order (For FAT32 Drives)

Some devices ignore filenames and play based on write order.
Use DriveSort to reorder files:
- Open your USB drive in DriveSort
- Sort by name
- Click Save to rewrite the order

How to Download YouTube Music to USB

Use AudiFab Music One to download YouTube music to your computer, then copy the files to your USB drive.

What’s The Max Video File Size On USB

FAT32 limits files to 4GB; use exFAT for larger files.

Why Can’t I Play YouTube Videos From USB

The video format may not be supported by your TV or media player.

Why Does My Downloaded MP4 Show A Black Screen In The Car

Use H.264 encoding for better compatibility with car media systems.

Will Downloading Get My YouTube Account Banned

Unauthorized downloads may violate YouTube’s terms. If you're concerned, use a separate account.

Why Is USB Transfer Slow

Use USB 3.0 or higher ports and drives for faster speeds.

Final Words

With the three free, safe methods above, you’re now successfully download and transfer YouTube videos to your USB drive. Simply plug the USB into any device with a USB port for playing.

In fact, SameMovie All-in-one Video Downloader stands out as the best solution for downloading YouTube videos in MP4 and other popular formats, then you can transfer them to USB flash drive. It’s reliable, fast, and lets you enjoy your favorite content anytime, anywhere. It’s the perfect tool—why not give it a try? Simply click the download button and start your free trial.