Frequently Asked Questions About Y2Mate
Everything people ask us about downloading YouTube videos as MP4 and converting them to MP3, gathered in one place. Start with the basics, then jump to the section that matches your problem. If you still need help, the contact page tells you how to reach us.
The basics
What is Y2Mate?
Y2Mate is an online YouTube downloader and converter. Give it the link of a public YouTube video and it returns either an MP4 video file or an MP3 audio file that you can keep on your phone or computer. It runs on our servers and is used through an ordinary web page.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. All resolutions and bitrates are free, and there is no daily allowance to run out of. We do not sell a premium tier.
Do I need to register or install something?
No. There is no account system and no software. We deliberately do not publish a browser extension or a desktop program, because those are the usual route for unwanted toolbars and adware.
How do I use it?
Paste a YouTube link into the box on the home page, or type a song title and choose a suggestion. Press the button. When the result card appears, tap Download and then Download MP4 or Download MP3. The file saves automatically once conversion finishes.
Links and videos
Which YouTube links work?
Standard youtube.com/watch?v= links, youtu.be short links, m.youtube.com mobile links, YouTube Shorts links and music.youtube.com links. The video must be public and must have finished processing.
Can I paste a playlist or channel link?
No. Y2Mate handles one video per request. Open the playlist, copy the link of the video you want, and convert that.
Why does it say the video was not found?
The video is private, deleted, region-blocked, age-restricted, or still a live broadcast. We can only reach content that a signed-out visitor could watch on YouTube.
Can I download a live stream?
Only after it has ended and YouTube has published the recording. Live streams in progress cannot be converted.
Can I search instead of pasting a link?
Yes. Type an artist, title or a few words from the video name. The suggestions come from YouTube's own search, so anything findable there is findable here.
MP4 video
Which resolutions are available?
360p, 480p, 720p and 1080p, depending on what the uploader provided. The converter never upscales a video, so a 480p upload stays 480p.
Is 4K supported?
Not currently. 1080p is the maximum. 4K files are very large and many devices struggle to play them.
Does the MP4 have sound?
Yes. YouTube stores high-resolution video and audio separately; Y2Mate merges them into a single MP4 so you never receive a silent file.
What codec is used?
H.264 video and AAC audio in an MP4 container. This plays natively on iPhone, Android, Windows, macOS, smart TVs and games consoles.
MP3 audio
Which bitrates can I choose?
128, 192 and 320 kbps. Use 128 for speech, 192 for everyday listening and 320 for headphones or car audio.
Is 320 kbps really better than the YouTube stream?
It preserves everything the stream contains without adding compression artefacts. It cannot add detail that was never uploaded, so for a low-quality source 192 kbps sounds identical and takes less space.
Does the MP3 keep the title?
Yes. The video title is written into the ID3 tag, so the track is labelled correctly in music apps.
Why is the audio shorter than the video?
YouTube sometimes trims trailing silence from its audio stream. Download the MP4 to confirm what the full video contains.
Phones, tablets and computers
Where is the file saved?
On a computer, in the browser's Downloads folder. On Android, in the Download folder and your notification shade. On iPhone and iPad, in the Files app under Downloads.
How do I get an MP4 into the iPhone camera roll?
Open the file in the Files app, tap the share icon and choose Save Video. It then appears in Photos.
Can I add an MP3 to Apple Music on iPhone?
Not directly from Files. Either sync the track through a computer or use a third-party player that reads local files. On Android and desktop, any music app can open the file.
Does it work on a Chromebook or a games console?
Yes. Anything with a modern browser can use Y2Mate, including ChromeOS, Linux and consoles with a web browser.
Errors and slow downloads
The progress bar finished but nothing downloaded
Your browser blocked the automatic download. Look for a blocked-download icon near the address bar, allow downloads from this site, and press the format button again.
The download is slow
1080p files and long videos take longer, and evenings are busier than mornings. Try a lower resolution, or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data if one of them is congested.
The button does nothing
Ad-blockers and script-blocking extensions occasionally interfere. Disable them for this page, reload, and try again.
The file will not play
The download was interrupted. Compare the size with a fresh download; if it is much smaller, convert the link again and wait for the automatic download to finish.
Privacy and copyright
Do you keep the videos I download?
No. Each file is generated for your request and deleted from our servers shortly after delivery. We keep no library and no per-user history.
What data do you collect?
Short-lived server logs and a simple visitor counter. No accounts, no email addresses, no advertising trackers. The privacy policy has the details.
Is downloading YouTube videos legal?
It depends on where you live and on what you download. Copying your own work, openly licensed material or content whose owner permits downloads is fine everywhere. Redistributing or selling someone else's video is not. See the terms of use.
I own a video and want it blocked
Send the details described on the copyright claims page and we will prevent that link from being converted.