Download YouTube videos using Python.

This post shows how to download YouTube videos with Python, using the pytube library and a virtual environment managed by pipenv.

• First, make sure Python is installed. If you’re not sure, check with this command:

python3 --version# This prompt the python3 version that is installed in your system.

• With Python confirmed, install pip, Python’s package manager, so you can install dependencies:

pip --version#If pip isn't installed you can always install using this commandsudo apt-get install python3-pip

• Next, install pipenv. It works like virtualenv, but also tracks your dependencies automatically in a Pipfile. Install it with:

pip3 install pipenv

• Once pipenv is installed, create a new directory for your project files:

mkdir myprojectcd  myproject

• Run this command to activate the shell. It creates an isolated Python environment, so your project’s dependencies stay separate from the packages installed on your machine.

pipenv shell

• With the environment active, install Pytube:

pipenv install pytube

• That installs pytube inside your environment. Now create a Python file to hold the script:

touch app.py

• Add this code to app.py:

from pytube import Youtube as yt
# This will get the youtube video link from the user
video = input('Enter the link of the video you want to download')
# Now we can use that video link to see the available formats of the video
download_video = video.streams.first()
# In this case we will be using the first one but you can view other streams too using streams.all()
download_video.download()
#Withing .download() you can also specify the location where you want to download the video

• The script is complete. Save it and run it:

python3 app.py

I also built a fuller video downloader with a friend, using Python and pytube: videodownloader.

Follow me on Twitter for more updates, and feel free to DM if you have questions.