YT Desktop Download

YouTube App for Desktop

Free YouTube App Download for PC, Mac & Linux

The best YouTube desktop app for Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, and Linux. Native performance, background playback, and a distraction-free viewing experience. No browser tab required.

Free Download

Windows 10/11, Mac & Linux

YouTube Desktop App Features

Simple, powerful features for the best YouTube experience.

Background Play

Keep audio playing when minimized or in another app. Perfect for music, podcasts, and lectures.

Picture-in-Picture

Float your video above other windows while you work. Always stays on top so you never miss a moment.

Native Performance

True desktop app built for your PC. No browser tabs, no memory bloat, just smooth playback.

Speed Control

Watch at 0.5x to 2x speed. Speed through tutorials or slow down complex explanations.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Control everything with hotkeys. Quick search with Cmd+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows).

Privacy Focused

No tracking, no analytics, no data collection. Your viewing history stays on your device.

How to Download YouTube App for PC

Get started in three simple steps.

Download

Get ytdesktop for Mac, Windows, or Linux.

Install & Launch

On macOS, right-click and select "Open" for the first launch. Windows and Linux work instantly.

Watch

Enjoy YouTube without the browser clutter.

Download YouTube App for Windows, Mac & Linux

Choose your platform below.

Recommended for you

macOS

Apple Silicon
Recommended for you

macOS

Intel
Recommended for you

Windows

64-bit
Recommended for you

Linux

Debian/Ubuntu

Installation Guide

  1. 1

    Download the .dmg file for your Mac (Apple Silicon or Intel)

  2. 2

    Open the DMG and drag the app to Applications

  3. 3

    Right-click the app and select "Open"

  4. 4

    Click "Open" in the security dialog

Only needed once — the app opens normally after the first launch.

System Requirements for YouTube Desktop App

Check if your computer meets the minimum requirements for YT Desktop.

Windows

  • Windows 10 (64-bit) or later
  • Windows 11 fully supported

macOS

  • macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later
  • Intel and Apple Silicon supported

Linux

  • Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+, Fedora 32+
  • Other distributions with glibc 2.17+

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about downloading and using the YouTube desktop app.

How do I download YouTube app for PC?
Click the download button at the top of this page to get YT Desktop for Windows. The installer is under 50MB and requires no admin rights. Simply run the installer, and you'll be watching videos in under a minute.
Is the YouTube desktop app free?
Yes, YT Desktop is completely free to download and use. All features including background play, picture-in-picture, and keyboard shortcuts are included at no cost.
Does YouTube have a desktop app for Windows 10/11?
YT Desktop works perfectly on Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, and Linux. It's a native desktop application that provides a better experience than watching in a browser tab, with lower RAM usage and background playback support.
Can I play YouTube videos in the background?
Yes! Background playback is one of our most popular features. Minimize the window and your audio keeps playing. Perfect for music, podcasts, and long-form content while you work on other tasks.
Is YT Desktop safe to install?
Absolutely. YT Desktop is safe and secure. We collect no personal data, have no tracking on your viewing habits, and the app is privacy-focused by design.
How do I download the YouTube app on my laptop?
Visit ytdesktop.com and click the download button for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). The installer will download automatically. Run the installer and follow the simple setup - no technical knowledge required.
What's the best YouTube app for Windows 10?
YT Desktop is the best free YouTube app for Windows 10 and Windows 11. It offers native performance, background playback, picture-in-picture mode, and uses less RAM than browser tabs.
Can I download YouTube videos for offline viewing?
YT Desktop focuses on providing the best streaming experience with features like background play and picture-in-picture. For offline viewing, YouTube Premium offers official download capabilities within the app.
Is there an official YouTube desktop app?
YouTube doesn't offer an official desktop app. YT Desktop is a free alternative that wraps YouTube in a native desktop experience with added features like background playback, keyboard shortcuts, and picture-in-picture that aren't available in browsers.