Download YouTube Videos on iPhone no app needed

Quick answer

On iPhone, copy the YouTube link, open downloadreel.net in Safari, paste the link and tap a quality. Safari saves the MP4 to the Files app. Open Files → Downloads, tap the video, then Share → Save Video to move it into Photos. No app or jailbreak is needed.

Step by step

1. Open the YouTube app, find the video or Short, tap Share, then Copy link.
2. Open Safari (not the YouTube app's built-in browser) and go to downloadreel.net.
3. Tap the box, paste the link and tap Download.
4. Tap a quality. 720p is a good choice for iPhone: sharp and not too big.
5. When Safari asks "Do you want to download…?", tap Download.
6. Tap the blue arrow in Safari's address bar, or open the Files app → Downloads.
7. Open the video, tap the Share icon and choose Save Video. It now appears in Photos.

If the download doesn't appear

Check Settings → Safari → Downloads to see which folder Safari uses; it may be iCloud Drive instead of On My iPhone. If Safari plays the video instead of saving it, long-press the video and choose Download Linked File.

Saving only the audio

Choose Audio (MP3) instead of a video quality. The MP3 appears in Files → Downloads and can be played there or shared to other apps.