YouTube tests downloading video to PC for offline viewing

Google has confirmed the recent rumors about the imminent appearance of the function of downloading videos from YouTube to the memory of the PC for offline viewing. This feature will only be offered to Premium account holders.

The function is already available some users and will be tested until October 19. The corresponding Download button while watching the video will be visible in Chrome, Edge and Opera browsers updated to the latest version. All downloaded videos will be displayed in the YouTube download feed, which can be accessed via the navigation bar on the side.

Unlike third party servicesoffering the same functionality, YouTube does not download the video file for storage in the PC memory. Instead, the service provides a cached version of the video that cannot be transferred to another device or played through a third-party player. You can open such a file only on the YouTube website, including without a network connection. Netflix, for example, works in a similar way.

There is also one more condition for accessing the video - downloaded videos from YouTube will be available only within 30 days from the moment of the last connection to the Network.