Which Mac installer should I choose?

Choose arm64 for Apple Silicon or x64 for an Intel Mac. Both DMG files are listed on the official v2.1.0 release page.

Can I download a video as MP4?

Select MP4 when the offered streams are compatible. Auto can choose MKV when codecs cannot be placed in MP4. Check the formats guide and play the actual output.

Where does VidBee save my downloads?

Check Settings → General → Download location before starting. After completion, open that folder and confirm the expected file exists.

Can it create a transcript when the video has no captions?

The separate local transcription workflow can recognize speech from a downloaded or imported file. It needs a downloaded speech model; a subtitle extractor does not perform speech recognition.

Should I use a desktop app or an online downloader?

A desktop app requires installation and stores its queue and files locally. A browser downloader can avoid installation. Compare the actual formats, source access and data handling for the task you need.

Video downloader for Mac interface preview

Free Video Downloader for Mac with Transcripts

Install VidBee on an Apple Silicon or Intel Mac, review the formats available for a permitted YouTube video, and save it to a folder you choose. Transcript tools are available after the file is on your computer.

Free Download

Completely free. No registration or account required.

Apple Silicon / Intel/Local output folder/Visible task status/Source-dependent formats

Check the steps that commonly stop a Mac download

Start with the installer, source access, formats and destination.

Picking the wrong Mac installer
Choosing a format that the source does not provide
Losing track of the destination folder
Confusing source captions with speech recognition

Download a permitted YouTube video on Mac

Check each stage, from the installer to the completed file.

1
Choose the installer for your Mac
Open Apple menu → About This Mac. Choose Apple Silicon (arm64) for an Apple chip, or Intel (x64) for an Intel processor, on the official download page.
2
Install and open VidBee
Open the DMG and move VidBee to Applications. Open the app and complete the macOS installation prompts. Get installers from the official release page.
3
Add a permitted YouTube URL
Click Add URL and paste a video link. Turn off One-Click Download when you want to review the task before it starts, then choose Fetch.
4
Review the available format
Choose a video or audio output from the options the source returns. A higher resolution is available only when that source and your permitted access provide it. MP4 is a container choice, not a guarantee of a smaller file.
5
Check the destination and start
Use Settings → General → Download location to choose where files are saved. Check the task options and start downloading. Keep the app open while the queue runs.
6
Check the completed file
Wait for the task to complete. Open the destination folder and play the saved file. A parsed URL or a started progress bar does not mean the download has finished.

Single-video dialog with example 1080p and 720p MP4 formats — Choose a format the source actually offers. The formats shown here are sample data. Illustrative demo data in VidBee dev, captured September 30, 2026; released versions may differ.

General preferences with download location and one-click setting — Check Download location before starting the task. Illustrative demo data in VidBee dev, captured September 30, 2026; released versions may differ.

Example completed video task with playback and folder controls — Use the completed task to play the file or open its folder. This completed status is mock data. Illustrative demo data in VidBee dev, captured September 30, 2026; released versions may differ.

Installer, formats and save location

Use the build and output options that match your computer and task.

Apple Silicon and Intel

The v2.1.0 official release includes separate arm64 and x64 DMG files. The installer list is packaging evidence; it does not establish a minimum macOS version or a successful test on every Mac.

Choose a Mac installer Official v2.1.0 release

MP4, video quality and audio

The requested container and quality must match available media streams. Auto prefers MP4 and can fall back to MKV when codecs are incompatible. Check the file in the player you intend to use.

Format and quality guide

Know where the result is saved

Download location is visible in General settings. Set a dedicated folder before a batch so you can compare completed tasks with actual files.

Download controls

When a Mac download does not finish

Use the failing stage to choose the next check.

No formats returned

Check the original video in your browser, the connection and source access. Do not treat a loading state as a successful download. A source may require permitted account access or may no longer offer the requested format.

Account access and cookies

A task fails after format selection

Try another listed format and check the task error. Check free disk space and the destination. Retry only the failed task after addressing the cause.

Download troubleshooting

Several YouTube videos

Use the playlist workflow to review entries and check each result. A playlist count is separate from the number of files actually completed.

YouTube playlist workflow

After download: captions or a local transcript

Downloading and recognizing speech are separate steps.

Existing caption tracks

Export source captions when the source offers them and your access permits it. The browser subtitle extractor requires an embedded text subtitle track in a saved file.

Extract an embedded subtitle track

A recording without captions

Import the local file into VidBee and choose a local speech model. The first model download needs a connection. Recognition runs locally after the model is installed; optional AI prompts can send text to your chosen provider.

Local transcription guide AI provider data flow

Download Videos

Download YouTube Playlists, Channels, and Search Results

Save playlists, channels, and search results from YouTube in high quality. Download YouTube Watch Later, Liked videos, and private YouTube playlists.

Subscription Auto Download & Batch Processing

Extract YouTube Subtitles

Download annotations and subtitles along with YouTube videos. Save them in SRT format and choose from 50+ languages.

Get Videos in 4K & 8K

Download videos in HD 720p, 1080p, 4K, and 8K resolution. Enjoy high definition on any device.

Video downloader for Mac FAQ

Useful answers for free Mac downloaders, YouTube workflows, 4K files, playlists, permitted audio, and desktop alternatives.

VidBee is a desktop app with a yt-dlp-based downloader. Use it for media you are allowed to save. Available formats and account access depend on the source.

Use a better video downloader on Mac

VidBee gives Mac users a cleaner way to save videos, playlists, subtitles, and permitted audio without leaning on browser-only tools. Completely free, with no registration or account required.