YouTube doesn't list a desktop program for Windows or Mac. Its own system requirements page says that to watch on a computer you need the newest Chrome, Firefox or Safari and a connection of 500+ Kbps, so on a PC or Mac the YouTube app is youtube.com in your browser.
I get why people go looking. You've got the YouTube app on your phone and your TV, so it feels odd that your laptop doesn't get one. But when you read YouTube's help pages, the computer section is always about browsers, never an installer. That's good news in a way: there's nothing to download, nothing to update, and nothing to go wrong when Windows updates itself overnight.
So the better question isn't "where's the app?" It's "can I do everything I want on a computer?" For most people the answer is yes, including downloads if you pay for Premium. Here's what YouTube says works, and the one or two things that trip people up.
What YouTube says you need on a computer
These are the requirements straight from YouTube's system requirements and supported devices page. Note how short the list is: a current browser, a current operating system and a decent connection.
| What you want to do | What YouTube asks for |
|---|---|
| Watch ordinary YouTube videos | Newest version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari, plus 500+ Kbps |
| Watch movies, TV shows and live streams | Newest Chrome, Firefox or Safari, Windows 7+, Mac OS X 10.7+ or Ubuntu 10+, plus 1+ Mbps |
| Download videos to watch offline (Premium) | Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Opera on youtube.com, signed in to your Premium account |
If you're on Linux, you'll notice Ubuntu 10+ is on that list too. So whether you're on a Windows laptop, a MacBook or an Ubuntu machine, the route is the same: open your browser and go to youtube.com.
The connection speeds YouTube recommends
When YouTube feels slow on a computer, it's usually the connection, not a missing app. YouTube publishes the sustained speeds it recommends for each quality level:
| Video quality | Recommended sustained speed |
|---|---|
| 4K UHD | 20 Mbps |
| HD 1080p | 5 Mbps |
| HD 720p | 2.5 Mbps |
| SD 480p | 1.1 Mbps |
| SD 360p | 0.7 Mbps |
YouTube's own tips are worth repeating because they're so often ignored: close other tabs, browsers and programs while you're streaming, and plug in a cable instead of relying on Wi-Fi if you can. On a busy home network, that one cable makes more difference than anything you could install.
Downloading YouTube videos on a PC or Mac
This is the part that surprises people. Many assume you need a phone to download, but YouTube says Premium members can also download from a computer using Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Opera. Safari isn't on that list, so Mac users who want downloads should use one of the other four.
- Go to youtube.com and sign in with your YouTube Premium account.
- Open the watch page of the video you want.
- Click Download below the video. When it's done, the download icon turns black.
- To watch it later, click Downloads in the left menu.
A few rules come with it. Downloaded videos play offline for up to 29 days, then you need to reconnect so YouTube can check the video is still available. In some countries the limit is 48 hours. You set the default quality under Settings, then Downloads, then Download quality, and higher quality takes more space and longer to appear. If you're wondering where those files end up on your drive, I've covered that in where YouTube downloads are stored.
Using YouTube Music on a computer
YouTube Music is a separate service from the main YouTube site, with its own settings and its own help pages. If it's music you want on your computer rather than videos, I've covered that separately in the YouTube Music desktop app guide, including what it can and can't do.
Make the browser feel like an app
Since the browser is the app, it's worth learning the controls that make it quicker than tapping a phone. YouTube's keyboard shortcuts work on a computer once the player has focus, and I keep a full list in my YouTube keyboard shortcuts guide.
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If you have Premium, the Jump ahead feature works on a computer too. YouTube says you can double-click to fast forward, hover the mouse over the progress bar, or use Option and the right arrow on a Mac, or Ctrl and the right arrow on Windows, to skip to the point most viewers fast forward to.
Why YouTube still struggles on some computers
- An old browser. YouTube asks for the newest version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari. If you haven't updated in months, start there.
- A slow or shared connection. Check the speed table above. 4K needs far more than 360p.
- Too much running at once. YouTube itself suggests closing other tabs and programs.
- Movies or shows in HD. For paid movies and shows, YouTube notes that HD playback in a browser is limited, with Safari the exception for HD.
If you're setting it up on a new device, see downloading the YouTube app.
My verdict
Stop hunting for a YouTube download for Windows or Mac. YouTube's own help points every computer user to a browser, and that's where everything lives: watching, playlists, Studio for creators and, with Premium, offline downloads in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Opera. Pin youtube.com to your taskbar or dock, learn a handful of shortcuts, and you've got everything an app would give you, without the clutter.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there an official YouTube app for Windows?
YouTube's help doesn't list one. Its system requirements page says to use the newest version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari with a connection of 500+ Kbps, so on Windows you watch at youtube.com.
Is there a YouTube app for Mac?
Not one that YouTube lists. On a Mac you use youtube.com in a current browser. For Premium downloads, use Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Opera, because Safari isn't in YouTube's list for downloads.
Can I download YouTube videos on my laptop?
Yes, with YouTube Premium. YouTube says you can download from a computer in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera. Click Download below the video, then find it under Downloads in the left menu.
How long do YouTube downloads last on a computer?
Downloaded videos can play offline for up to 29 days before you need to reconnect. In some countries and regions the limit is 48 hours.
What internet speed do I need for YouTube on a PC?
YouTube asks for 500+ Kbps for ordinary videos and 1+ Mbps for movies, shows and live streams. For quality, it recommends 5 Mbps for 1080p and 20 Mbps for 4K.
