How 4K downloading works
YouTube publishes 4K and 2K in VP9 or AV1, which many players cannot open. Our converter changes the video to H.264 and the audio to AAC at 192 kbps, so the file plays on Windows Media Player, QuickTime, iPhone and Android. The video keeps its full resolution. Only the codec changes.
Which videos have 4K
A video is only available in 4K if its uploader published it in 4K. If you choose 4K for a 1080p upload, you get 1080p. We do not add resolution the video does not have.
Expect longer waits
A 4K conversion takes longer than a 1080p download because the video is re-encoded. A short clip takes a few moments. A long video takes longer, so keep the tab open until the download is ready.
Size limit
Downloads up to 500 MB. A long 4K video can be larger than that, so the tool may not be able to convert it. If that happens, choose 1440p or 1080p, which are much smaller.
Playing 4K on your device
- Windows: Windows Media Player, VLC or the Movies & TV app.
- Mac: QuickTime or VLC.
- iPhone and iPad: Files app or a video player.
- Android: Gallery or a video player. Older phones may struggle with 4K.