Chromebooks are everywhere in schools and on the go, and they are great for watching videos. Downloading them is another story: there is no app store full of desktop downloaders, Chrome extensions for YouTube are not allowed in the Chrome Web Store, and Android apps that claim to do it are often full of ads. The simplest method needs nothing installed: paste the video link in a website, choose the quality, and save an MP4 to your Chromebook. This guide covers the steps, where the files go, and how to watch them offline.
How to download a video on a Chromebook
- Open the video in Chrome: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X, Vimeo or another site.
- Click the address bar and copy the link (Ctrl+C).
- Open Skachok in a new tab and paste the link (Ctrl+V).
- Press "Find" and choose the quality in the Video · MP4 tab.
- Press "Download".
Free downloads go up to 720p, which looks sharp on most Chromebook screens: 3 a day without an account and 5 with a free account.
Where the downloaded video is saved
ChromeOS saves downloads to the Downloads folder, which you open in the Files app (the blue folder icon in the launcher). You can also press Ctrl+J in Chrome to see the list of downloads and click "Show in folder". To have videos available on other devices too, move them to Google Drive in the Files app, but remember that files in Drive need to be marked "Available offline" to play without internet.
Playing videos offline
Double-click the MP4 in the Files app and it opens in the built-in media app. Most downloaded videos use the H.264 codec and play without problems. If a file refuses to play:
- Download the regular option instead of the compact AV1 or VP9 one; some older Chromebooks decode those poorly.
- Choose 720p or 1080p rather than 4K: low-power Chromebooks can stutter on 4K.
- Drag the file into a Chrome tab: Chrome plays MP4 files directly.
Storage on a Chromebook
Many Chromebooks have 32 or 64 GB of storage, and ChromeOS needs some of it for itself. Plan your downloads:
| Quality | 10-minute video, roughly |
|---|---|
| 480p | 20–60 MB |
| 720p | 50–150 MB |
| 1080p | 100–300 MB |
For long lectures, 720p or even 480p is plenty. If you only need to listen, download the audio instead: one hour of MP3 is about 85 MB.
School Chromebooks
On a Chromebook managed by a school, the administrator may block some websites, downloads or the Files app. If the download does not start or the site does not open, it is a school policy, not a technical problem. In that case:
- Ask your teacher to download the video for the lesson.
- Download it at home and copy it to a USB stick or Google Drive.
- Check whether the video is allowed for use in class; many teachers prefer to keep a copy for lessons without reliable Wi-Fi.
Do not try to get around a school's restrictions with proxy tricks: it breaks the rules you agreed to.
Downloading audio on a Chromebook
To save only the sound of a lecture, podcast or song, open the Audio tab and choose MP3 or M4A. Audio formats start with the Lite plan at $1.99 a month; after registration, Pro is free for 2 days. MP3 files play in the built-in media player.
Using the Android apps on a Chromebook
Many Chromebooks run Android apps, so you can open downloaded videos in Android editors such as CapCut. Android apps see the Downloads folder if you allow it in the app's settings. Web-based editors also accept MP4 files from the Downloads folder.
Why not a Chrome extension?
Google does not allow YouTube downloaders in the Chrome Web Store, so the extensions you find elsewhere are either removed often or not safe. They also break every time YouTube changes its player. More in why video download extensions stopped working. A website you paste a link into has nothing to install and nothing to update.
Several videos at once
Paste several links, one per line: 3 at a time for free, 5 on Lite, 10 on Pro and up to 50 on Max. On Pro and Max, a YouTube playlist link expands into all its videos, which is handy for a course with many lessons.
Keeping a course organized
Students often download a whole series of lessons before exams. Create a folder per subject in the Files app, rename each file with its lesson number ("03 Cell biology"), and keep a short text file with the original links. When you are back online, the links let you check for updated versions or open the comments with questions from other students.
Prices
| Plan | Price | Video | Audio | Downloads a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | up to 720p | — | 5 (3 without an account) |
| Lite | $1.99/mo | up to 1080p | MP3, M4A | 20 |
| Pro | $3.99/mo | up to 1440p | MP3, M4A, OGG | 50 |
| Max | $5.99/mo | up to 4K | MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC | 100 |
No automatic renewal. Details on the pricing page.
What cannot be downloaded
Private videos, members-only content, YouTube Premium-only videos and DRM-protected services cannot be downloaded. Live streams can be saved after they end.
FAQ
How do I download a YouTube video on a Chromebook?
Copy the video link in Chrome, paste it into Skachok, choose the quality and press "Download". Up to 720p is free.
Where do downloads go on a Chromebook?
To the Downloads folder in the Files app. Press Ctrl+J in Chrome to see recent downloads.
Can I watch downloaded videos offline on a Chromebook?
Yes. Open the MP4 from the Files app; it plays without internet.
Why can't I download on my school Chromebook?
The school administrator may block downloads or certain websites. Ask your teacher or download the video at home.
Do I need an extension?
No. Downloading by link works in Chrome without any extension.