Can You Download Deleted YouTube Videos?

Basically, deleted YouTube videos cannot be downloaded directly because the source of the video does not exist, even if there is a link to the video. However, there may be other ways to obtain the video. For example, the following methods are available: some users may have made a backup copy of the video in advance, or the creator of the video may have published the same content on other platforms, in which case you can download a video from YouTube again.

How to Download Deleted YouTube Videos Again

However, the feasibility of this operation needs to be analyzed from multiple angles. On the other hand, if you want to download a video that has been voluntarily removed by another creator, it may be because that creator no longer wants to distribute the content. From the perspective of respecting copyright and privacy, it is not appropriate to forcibly obtain such a video.

On the other hand, if you accidentally delete your own video and have not made a backup, you can use tools such as the Wayback Machine to check whether the page has been recorded and saved.

Use Wayback Machine to Find Deleted YouTube Videos

Step1
Open the tool's official website and enter the web address you want to search for in the search box (e.g. a YouTube video link).
Step2
Click ‘Browse History’ or press Enter to enter the page's history.
Step3
View the timeline and calendar, and select a saved date.
Step4
Click to enter the snapshot page and see if you can find the video title, description, or play the video.
How to Download Deleted YouTube Videos Again: step of wayback machine

Download YouTube Videos before Being Deleted

To avoid discovering that a video has been deleted when you want to revisit it in the future, or finding that you need to edit a video you uploaded but don't have a local backup, we recommend downloading important videos to your local device in advance. This way, you can access them whenever you need them and won't miss out on any valuable content. Next, we will introduce several methods for downloading YouTube videos.

Method 1: StreamFab YouTube Downloader

How to Download Deleted YouTube Videos Again: streamfab

Download online videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, and 1000+ other video-sharing sites. Multitasks and playlists downloads are also supported.

 What do we like about this tool?
  • You can download YouTube videos in 4K resolution, even if the content is deleted, and if videos are supported by 8K, it can also help you achieve.
  • If you need to edit video content, you can download deleted YouTube videos to MP4/MKV, no need to convert format by other steps.
  • Sometimes, maybe you want to change videos' BGM, you can download YouTube videos' music directly to MP3.
  • Choose video codec from H264, VP9, AV1 when downloading YouTube videos.

Tutorial on Using StreamFab 

Step1
Go to the official website to download the software, or you can click the following button.
Step2
Open StreamFab and paste the URL of you want to download deleted YouTube videos in the built-in browser.
How to Download Deleted YouTube Videos Again: step 2 of streamfab
Step3
Play the video and StreamFab will analyze itself, then you can set the format at the pop-up window, and click "Download", the video will begin to download, you can check the progress through "Downloading" at the left list.
How to Download Deleted YouTube Videos Again: step 3 of streamfab

Method 2: RecordFab

The second method I want to introduce is a screen recording tool, this software is fit for users who want to download live streams or only want to download part of a video clip, but you need to pay attention, it is only for Windows users.

Tutorial on Using RecordFab

Step1
Go to the official website to download RecordFab, install it, and open the software.
Step2
Paste the link of the video you want to record into the built-in browser, or search for it directly in the software.
How to Download Deleted YouTube Videos Again: step 2 of recordfab
Step3
Once the software has finished its automatic analysis, a pop-up window will appear. Click ‘OK’ to start recording the video.
How to Download Deleted YouTube Videos Again: step 3 of recordfab

Method 3: Browser Extension

The third method is to use a browser extension (Firefox/Chrome). This method allows you to download YouTube videos for free, but you need to be careful, because although they are the best YouTube video downloader extension for Firefox & Chrome, maybe also have safe risk, so please use them careful. Now I will introduce you to one extension, Video DownloadHelper.

How to Download Deleted YouTube Videos Again: extension

Tutorial on Using Video DownloadHelper

Step1
Go to Firefox or Chrome, find this extension on ADD-ONS or chrome app store.
Step2
Click "install the extension".
Step3
Open the YouTube website, search for the video you want to save, and click up right corner's extension icon, choose the format you want, and the video will be downloaded.

FAQs

1. How to find deleted YouTube videos' URL?

If the YouTube videos have been deleted, you can try searching your browser history or cache. You can also check your YouTube viewing history. If you still can't find it, try asking the creator at the time. They may still have a backup.

2. If I have the URL, can I definitely download deleted YouTube videos?

To be honest, it's not always possible. Even if you have the video URL, if the video has been deleted, the video source will no longer exist. The only way to download it again is if someone else has saved a backup copy. However, you can try the method described in the first part of this article.

Conclusion

That concludes this article. In summary, while it is technically possible to recover deleted videos, it is better to take precautions in advance than to search for them afterwards. We recommend that you develop the habit of regularly downloading and backing up important videos, whether they are your own creations or content you frequently view, so that you can respond calmly to any unforeseen circumstances in the future.