How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 on Mac | Free

Quick Answer

Many users want to convert YouTube videos to MP4 on PC. It's not surprising that users also need to convert YouTube to MP4 on Mac. But regardless of the device you use, a third-party YouTube to MP4 converter is indispensable. Speaking of YouTube to MP4 converters for Mac, desktop apps and online services are available. Here I'd like to show you two proven examples, and then you can pick up the one you like to apply.

Option 1. Best YouTube to MP4 Converter for Mac 

Desktop-based programs are always the optimal choice, given their stability and speed. With the tool introduced below, it will be no tough job to get MP4 from YouTube.

Overview of the YouTube to MP4 Converter for Mac

• ✅Pro: Bulk convert YouTube to MP4 on Mac in high quality.
• 🚫Con: Paid tool with free trials.

Whether you are looking to convert YouTube videos to MP4 on a Mac or PC, the safest and best free video converter for Mac - EaseUS Video Downloader will get it done for you. It helps to download online video or audio files from over 1000 websites. Most importantly, it has improved with exceptional support for YouTube. More specifically, it provides the following options for you:

• Download YouTube videos in different formats, generally MP4 and WebM, at 8K or below
• Download YouTube audio in MP3/WAV at 320kbps, 256kbps, or 128kbps
• Download YouTube videos to MP3/WAV
• Download YouTube channels or playlists

How to convert YouTube video to MP4 on Mac easily and quickly:

3 Steps to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 or MP3 on Mac

Step 1. Open EaseUS Video Downloader and select your desired output format (MP4 or MP3) and quality based on your needs.

Step 2. Then copy the URL of the YouTube video to this program and click "Paste Link."

Step 3. Wait for the downloading to finish. When it has done, click "Open File Location" to check the downloaded file.

Disclaimer: This guide is compiled for personal fair use ONLY. EaseUS is in no way collaborated or affiliated with YouTube and never advocates any copyright infringement action, please confirm the copyright before use.

Option 2. Convert YouTube Video to MP4 on Mac Online Free

• ✅Pro: Convert YouTube video to MP4 on Mac for free without installing.
• 🚫Con: Redirects and unstable availability.

Another popular way to convert YouTube videos to MP4 is using an online tool. Take Savefrom.net as an example. It enables you to convert YouTube videos to MP4 on Mac without installing software. But like many of its equivalents, you will encounter redirection after you click the "Download" button and then successfully save the MP4 file from YouTube to your Mac. There are not as many options as EaseUS Video Downloader provides. Here are some online converters we tested: (use the same YouTube link)

• savefrom.net: 360P to 720P
• OnlineVideoConverter: 360p and 720p
• keepvid.online: 480P - 2160P
• BigConverter: 144p to 2160P, with redirects
• 10Downloader: 360P with sounds, 144P to 1080P without sounds

If you still want to try such an online tool, here are the steps:

Step 1. Copy the URL of the YouTube video.

Step 2. Go to the online YouTube to MP4 converter on your Mac.

Step 3. Paste the URL into the address bar and click "Download."

Step 4. Select the format and quality you prefer and click "Download" again. (You will be redirected to another page after the click. Just close the new page and go back to the original one.)

Step 5. Check the video in the "Downloads" folder on your computer.

Option 3. Convert YouTube to MP4 on Mac with Open-Source HandBrake

• ✅Pro: Convert YouTube video to MP4 on Mac for free with the open-source tool.
• 🚫Con: You need to download YouTube videos before conversion.

​HandBrake is a free, open-source video transcoder available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It specializes in converting various video formats, including AVI, MKV, and MOV, into MP4 (H.264 or H.265) or MKV files. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface and the ability to customize output settings, such as resolution, frame rate, and quality.

However, some have noted that achieving optimal results may require a basic understanding of video conversion settings, and the conversion process can be time-consuming, especially for large files. While HandBrake supports numerous input formats, it is limited to specific output formats, which may not suit everyone's needs. ​

To convert YouTube video to MP4 on Mac for free:

Step 1. Download YouTube video using Chrome extension CrossPilot.

Step 2. Drag and drop your video into HandBrake. Alternatively, use the file browser to select your video.

Step 3. In the Summary tab, set the Format to MP4.

Step 4. Set the Resolution (Optional)

• Go to the Dimensions tab
• Adjust the resolution to match your desired resolution

Step 5. Configure Video Settings

• Go to the Video tab
• Video Encoder: Leave as H.264 (x264)
• Framerate: Choose Same as source
• Framerate FPS: Choose Variable Framerate (or Constant if you experience sync issues)
• Quality: Adjust the slider – RF 17–20 is a good range (lower RF = higher quality)
• Encoder Preset: Set to Medium for a balance of speed and quality
• Encoder Profile: Choose High for best compatibility

Step 6. Check Audio and Subtitles (Optional)

• In the Audio tab: You can leave the default settings unless you need to adjust or add tracks
• In the Subtitles tab: Remove tracks if you don't want subtitles

Step 7. At the bottom, click Browse to choose where to save the converted file and give it a name.

Step 8. Start the Conversion

• Click Add to Queue (top left)
• Then click Start Queue (top menu)
• When the process finishes, your MP4 will be saved to the selected location

Option 4. Convert YouTube to Movie for Mac with yt-dlp Commands

• ✅Pro: Powerful YouTube converter and downloader with customization tools.
• 🚫Con: Complicated conversion process for beginners.

yt-dlp is a powerful, open-source command-line tool used to download and convert videos, especially to MP4, from YouTube and hundreds of other platforms like Vimeo, Facebook, and Dailymotion. It supports a wide range of formats and video qualities, from low-res to full HD and beyond, depending on the source.

It's cross-platform, working on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Users praise its speed, flexibility, and regular updates, but some find it challenging to set up or encounter occasional compatibility issues with certain sites or Python versions.

Step 1. Install Homebrew: Open the Terminal application (found in Applications > Utilities) and enter the following command to install Homebrew, a package manager for macOS:​

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Step 2. Install ffmpeg: With Homebrew installed, execute this command in Terminal to install ffmpeg, a multimedia framework required for processing video files:

brew install ffmpeg

Step 3. Install yt-dlp: Now, install yt-dlp by running:

brew install yt-dlp

Step 4. Download a YouTube video as MP4: To download a video, use the following command, replacing VIDEO_URL with the URL of the YouTube video you wish to download:

yt-dlp -f 'bestvideo[ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]/best[ext=mp4]' VIDEO_URL

This command ensures that yt-dlp downloads the best available video and audio streams in MP4 format and combines them.

For instance, to download a specific video, you would run:

yt-dlp -f 'bestvideo[ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]/best[ext=mp4]' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID

After executing the command, yt-dlp will process the video and save it to your current directory.

If you find the command complex and daunting, you can download its GUI Stacher 7 or YouTube-dlg:

• Stacher 7 is a simple, user-friendly app that lets you download videos using yt-dlp with a clean interface on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

• YouTube-DLG is a simple app that lets you download YouTube videos in different formats using a user-friendly interface.

Other Tried and Failed Methods

VLC Media Player cannot stream YouTube videos anymore, nor open the YouTube video link and convert it to MP4.

Freemake Video Downloader & Freemake Video Converter work only on Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7.

The Bottom Line

Depending on the operating system you use, you may need different tools to get things done. The YouTube to MP4 converter that works well on Windows may not be compatible with Mac at all. With the tools introduced above, you can download YouTube videos to your computer, either Mac or PC. When you switch from one OS to another, you can still apply one of the tools to download the MP4 files you like from YouTube.

Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 FAQ

1. How do I convert MP4 to MP3?

You can convert MP4 to MP3 using the best MP4 to MP3 converter:

• Open the EaseUS Video Downloader, set up the output as MP3, and define its quality.
• Copy the MP4 link from any site and click "Paste Link."
• It will convert MP4 to MP3 immediately.
• Alternatively, you can drop the local MP4 file into the downloader and convert video to MP4.

2. Does Mac have an MP4 converter?

Yes, Macs have several options for converting MP4 files. HandBrake is a free, open-source tool that supports various formats, including MP4. Apps like EaseUS Video Downloader and online converters like CloudConvert and Convertio offer easy ways to convert MP4 files without installing additional software.

3. How to convert video_ts files to MP4 on Mac?

• Open VLC from your Applications folder.
• Click File in the top menu, then select Convert / Stream.
• Click Open media and choose your TS file, then click Open.
• In the Choose Profile menu, select MP4 (H.264 + MP3).
• Click Save as File, then click Browse.
• Choose where to save the file, give it a name, and click Save.
• Click Save again to start the conversion.

4. How do I change the video format to MP4?

• Go to a trusted online converter like CloudConvert, Convertio, or FreeConvert.
• Click "Choose File" to upload your video from your device, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
• Select MP4 as the output format.
• (Optional) Adjust settings like resolution, codec, or file size if needed.
• Click "Convert" and wait for the process to finish.
• Download the MP4 file to your computer.