The iPad is the perfect screen for watching videos on a flight, a train or a long car trip, but only if the videos are actually on it. Streaming apps need a connection, YouTube's own download keeps videos locked inside the app, and the App Store has no real video downloaders. Safari, however, can download files, and that is all you need. This guide shows how to download videos on an iPad by link, where they end up, and how to get them into Photos, iMovie or Keynote.
How to download a video on iPad
- Open the video in its app or in Safari and copy the link: "Share" → "Copy Link".
- Open Skachok in Safari and paste the link.
- Tap "Find" and choose the quality in the Video · MP4 tab.
- Tap "Download"; Safari asks to confirm the download.
- Open the Files app → Downloads to find the video.
It works for YouTube, Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, X, Pinterest, Twitch, Kick, Vimeo, Bilibili and many other sites. Free downloads go up to 720p: 3 a day without an account and 5 with a free account.
Moving the video to Photos
Videos in Files play fine, but many apps look for videos in Photos. To move one:
- Open the video in the Files app.
- Tap the Share button.
- Choose "Save Video".
The video now appears in Photos, and through iCloud Photos on your iPhone and Mac too, if you use it.
Which quality to choose on an iPad
iPad screens are sharp, so the difference between 720p and 1080p is visible on bigger models:
| iPad | Recommended |
|---|---|
| iPad mini, regular iPad | 720p, free |
| iPad Air, iPad Pro 11" | 1080p, Lite plan |
| iPad Pro 13" | 1080p or 1440p |
Higher quality means bigger files: a 2-hour film in 1080p can take 2–4 GB. Check free space in Settings → General → iPad Storage before a trip.
Watching offline on a plane
- Download over Wi-Fi at home, not at the airport.
- Test one video in airplane mode before you leave: open it from Files to be sure it plays.
- Keep a folder in Files named for the trip, so children can find their cartoons easily.
- Use Photos if you want videos to appear in a simple grid for kids.
Using downloaded videos in iPad apps
- iMovie: import from Photos or Files and edit right on the iPad.
- Keynote: insert a video on a slide for a presentation without internet.
- LumaFusion and CapCut: import from Files for more advanced editing.
- Notes: drag a short clip into a note for study.
Downloading audio on an iPad
For lectures, podcasts and music, open the Audio tab and choose M4A or MP3. M4A plays natively in Files and keeps the original track without re-encoding. Audio formats start with the Lite plan at $1.99 a month; after registration, Pro is free for 2 days.
If Safari opens the video instead of downloading
Sometimes a video opens in a new tab and plays. Tap the Share button in that tab and choose "Save to Files", or long-press the download link and choose "Download Linked File". Downloads in progress appear under the arrow icon in Safari's toolbar.
Kids and family iPads
Downloading cartoons and educational videos in advance is the best way to keep children away from autoplay recommendations and ads. Make a folder of approved videos and turn on Guided Access (Settings → Accessibility) if you want the iPad to stay in one app. Educational channels and official studio channels on YouTube are the best sources.
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 series of lessons or episodes.
External storage
Recent iPads with USB-C accept USB sticks and SSDs directly. After downloading, open Files, long-press the video, choose "Move" and pick the drive. This frees space on the iPad and lets you watch the same files on a TV or computer later. Format the drive as exFAT if you want it to work with both Windows and Mac.
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. The iPhone version of this guide is how to download videos on iPhone.
What cannot be downloaded
Private videos, members-only and paid content, and DRM-protected services such as Netflix, Disney+ or Apple TV+ cannot be downloaded by link; use those apps' own offline features. Live streams can be saved after they end.
FAQ
How do I download a video on my iPad?
Copy the video link, paste it into Skachok in Safari, choose the quality and tap "Download". The video appears in Files → Downloads.
How do I save a downloaded video to Photos on iPad?
Open it in Files, tap Share and choose "Save Video".
Which quality is best for an iPad?
720p for smaller iPads, 1080p for iPad Air and iPad Pro. 720p is free; 1080p comes with Lite.
Can I watch downloaded videos on a plane?
Yes. Files in the Files app or Photos play without internet. Test one in airplane mode before you leave.
Do I need an app from the App Store?
No. Safari downloads the files; no app is needed.