You Want to AirDrop a YouTube Video on Your Mac? Hold My Popcorn!
Let's face it, folks, sometimes you just gotta get a YouTube video onto your Mac. Maybe it's that cat compilation that perfectly captures your soul, or a motivational speech that speaks directly to your inner procrastination monster. Whatever the reason, you find yourself wanting to AirDrop a YouTube video, and let me tell you, it's not quite as straightforward as beaming a pizza party straight to your stomach. But fear not, for I, your friendly neighborhood tech wizard (or at least someone who remembers their high school computer class), am here to guide you through this perilous journey.
Why Can't You Just AirDrop the Video Like a Normal Person?
Ah, the million-dollar question. Here's the thing: AirDrop is fantastic for sharing files that are already on your device, but YouTube videos themselves live on the internet, rent-free in the cloud. You can't exactly shove a cloud in your pocket and AirDrop it, can you? (Although, wouldn't that be a cool party trick?)
Don't Panic! There's a Workaround (and It Doesn't Involve Carrier Pigeons)
Thankfully, there are a few ways to get that YouTube video onto your Mac using the power of the internet (because, let's be honest, the internet is pretty darn powerful). Here are two methods, each with their own level of technical pizzazz:
Method 1: Download and Chill (But Not Literally, Downloading Can Get Hot)
- Fire up your favorite web browser. Chrome, Firefox, Safari - they all work like a charm.
- Head over to YouTube and find your video. This might take some serious concentration, depending on the allure of the "recommended videos" rabbit hole.
- Look for the magic download button. It might be hiding in disguise, but it's usually somewhere near the "Share" button. Click on that bad boy.
- Choose your download destiny. Pick where you want to save the video on your Mac. Just be sure to remember that location later, because nobody likes a lost video (except maybe those creepy "mystery box" YouTubers).
- Wait patiently (or impatiently) as the video downloads. The speed will depend on your internet connection, but hey, at least it's not dial-up anymore, right?
- Once downloaded, you can AirDrop the video to your heart's content! Just find the video in your chosen folder, right-click, select "Share" and then... you guessed it, AirDrop!
Method 2: Copy and Paste Your Way to Victory (Because Who Needs Fancy Downloads?)
- Find your YouTube video and get ready to be a copycat.
- Look for the URL bar at the top of your web browser. That long string of letters and numbers? That's the video's address on the internet.
- Highlight the entire URL and right-click. A menu will appear, and you'll be looking for the option to "Copy" (because that's what we're all about here, people!).
- Open a new web browser window. This is where the magic happens.
- Go to a website that allows you to download YouTube videos. There are a few options out there, but a quick Google search (because Google knows everything) should point you in the right direction. Important Note: Be cautious about which website you choose, as some might be less than reputable.
- Paste the copied URL into the website's designated box. Just like magic, the website will do its thing and hopefully offer you a downloadable version of the video.
- Download the video and then AirDrop it to your Mac just like in Method 1.
And there you have it! With a little elbow grease (or maybe just some fancy fingerwork), you've successfully transferred that YouTube video to your Mac. Now you can watch it offline, edit it into your next masterpiece (because we all know you're secretly a filmmaker), or shamelessly show it to all your friends (because sharing is caring, right?).
