YouTube Shorts are where many songs go viral now: a 20-second clip with a catchy sound, and suddenly everyone wants it as a ringtone, an alarm or a track for their own video. YouTube does not let you save the sound of a Short, and the "Use this sound" button only works inside YouTube. This guide shows how to convert a YouTube Short to MP3 by link, how to get the full song instead of a 15-second fragment, and how to set it as a ringtone on Android or iPhone.
How to convert a Short to MP3
- Open the Short and tap "Share" → "Copy link". The link looks like
youtube.com/shorts/…. - Open Skachok in your browser and paste the link.
- Tap "Find" and open the Audio tab.
- Choose MP3 (or M4A) and tap "Download".
On Android, the MP3 appears in the Download folder and in music players. On iPhone, it goes to Files → Downloads. Audio formats start with the Lite plan at $1.99 a month; after registration, Pro is free for 2 days. The video itself downloads for free up to 720p: 3 a day without an account and 5 with a free account.
Getting the full song, not the snippet
A Short contains only the part of the song the creator used. To get the whole track:
- Tap the sound name at the bottom of the Short. YouTube shows the sound's page, often with a link to the full song or the official video.
- Open the full video and copy its link.
- Convert that link to MP3 in the same way.
This also gives better audio: many Shorts have the music mixed with talking or effects, while the official video has the clean track. For music in general, see YouTube Music to MP3.
Setting it as a ringtone on Android
- Download the MP3.
- Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Ringtone (the names vary by phone).
- Tap "+" or "Add from device" and pick the MP3 from the Download folder.
A short clip from a Short is perfect for a ringtone or notification sound, since it is already the catchy part.
Setting it as a ringtone on iPhone
iPhone ringtones must be in the M4R format and no longer than 30 seconds (40 for alert tones). The free way:
- Download the audio as M4A or MP3.
- Open GarageBand, import the file from Files and trim it to 30 seconds.
- Use Share → "Ringtone" in GarageBand to export it.
- Choose it in Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Ringtone.
Audio quality
Shorts audio is the same quality as regular YouTube audio, about 130–160 kbps. MP3 is the most compatible choice; M4A keeps the original track without re-encoding. Choosing 320 kbps would only make the file bigger; see YouTube to MP3 320 kbps.
Several Shorts at once
Collecting sounds for your own edits? Paste several Shorts links, one per line: 5 at a time on Lite, 10 on Pro and up to 50 on Max. Each one becomes its own MP3.
Using Shorts sounds in your own videos
A downloaded sound is great for personal use: ringtones, alarms, a playlist. Using it in your own published videos is different: the song still belongs to its rights holders. On YouTube itself, use "Use this sound" in the Shorts editor, which handles the licensing. On other platforms, use their own music libraries.
Other platforms
The same steps work for TikTok and Instagram Reels sounds: see TikTok to MP3 and Instagram Reels to MP3.
Prices
| Plan | Price | Audio formats | Downloads a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — (video up to 720p) | 5 (3 without an account) |
| Lite | $1.99/mo | MP3, M4A | 20 |
| Pro | $3.99/mo | MP3, M4A, OGG | 50 |
| Max | $5.99/mo | MP3, M4A, OGG, FLAC | 100 |
No automatic renewal. Details on the pricing page.
Trimming the MP3
The MP3 from a Short is already short, but sometimes you want only the beat drop. On Android, many ringtone pickers let you choose the start point. On a computer, the free Audacity editor trims MP3 files in a minute: open the file, select the part you want, and export the selection. On iPhone, GarageBand does the same as part of the ringtone steps above.
Using the MP3 as an alarm or notification
Short sounds make great alarms and notification tones. On Android, open the Clock app, edit an alarm, tap the sound and choose "Add new" or "Your sounds" to pick the MP3. For notifications, Settings → Sound → Notification sound usually offers the same "add from device" option. A two-second clip works best for notifications; for alarms, a longer fragment that builds up is gentler in the morning. On iPhone, alarm sounds use the same ringtone files you create in GarageBand.
FAQ
How do I convert a YouTube Short to MP3?
Copy the Short's link, paste it into Skachok, open the Audio tab, choose MP3 and download.
How do I get the full song from a Short?
Tap the sound name in the Short to find the original song, then convert that video's link.
Can I set a Shorts sound as my ringtone?
Yes. On Android, add the MP3 in the ringtone settings. On iPhone, trim it to 30 seconds in GarageBand and export it as a ringtone.
Is Shorts to MP3 free?
Video downloads are free up to 720p. Audio formats start with the Lite plan; Pro is free for 2 days after registration.
What quality is the MP3?
The quality of YouTube's audio, about 130–160 kbps.