Download and archive your own YouTube Shorts
For one of your own uploads, start with YouTube Studio. For a larger channel archive, use Google Takeout. Keep your editing master separately: a downloaded platform copy may differ from the file you originally uploaded.
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Download one upload from YouTube Studio
On a computer, sign in to the account that owns the channel. Open Studio → Content, find the video, open its menu and choose Download. YouTube’s help describes MP4 exports at 720p or 360p, depending on the video’s size.
If Download is unavailable, consult the account-specific notice and the linked YouTube help. YTShorts does not sign in to your account or remove an export restriction.
Use Takeout for a channel archive
In Google Takeout, select the YouTube data you need and choose an archive delivery method. Google prepares the export and provides access when it is ready. If expected channel videos are missing, check whether you need to switch to the associated Brand Account.
Download the archive to storage with room for both the compressed archive and extracted files. Avoid mixing an unverified export into a folder containing your only originals.
Check the archive before relying on it
- Compare the received videos with the channel or project list you intended to archive.
- Open a recent Short and an older Short. Check duration, orientation and a section with important sound.
- Keep a second copy of verified files before deleting any originals.
- Store editing projects, captions and original footage separately from the published video copies.
When the public-link downloader is useful
YTShorts can save an available public copy of an eligible Short you own. Choose MP4 or MP3 before clicking Download. For a private upload or a broad account export, use the official account tools instead.
A higher resolution number does not identify the original master. Check the edit, soundtrack and captions as well as the dimensions before replacing a production asset.
Official sources
Instructions describe the documented routes. Availability depends on your account, device, region and video.