Best YouTube tricks revealed – watch clips offline, download songs and make GIFs from videos
MOST of us are regular YouTube users but not everyone is aware that their online viewing experience could be so much better.
Below are some of the best YouTube tricks and tips that you probably didn't realise you needed.
Turn on captions
If you've ever been desperate to watch a YouTube video in a public place but you've forgotten your headphones then this tip is for you.
All you have to do is click the small symbol that says "CC" and the captions will turn on.
This is also useful if you're struggling to understand what someone is saying.
If you want the subtitles to be in a particular language then you can use the built-in Google Translate feature by clicking on "Settings", the symbol that looks like a little gear, and selecting "Auto-translate" and then your language of choice.
Download songs
YouTube Music will soon be launching a new feature that will enable you to download up to 500 songs to listen to offline.
The feature is called "smart downloads" and YouTube will pick the songs for you based on what you usually listen to.
The songs will download overnight over a WiFi connection.
Offline viewing
For this trick you need to be a YouTube Premium member.
The Premium status lets you chose videos to download so you can watch then when you're offline later on.
All you have to do is click download, then select the display quality you want and then find the video in "Library" when you're ready to watch it.
Make GIFs from videos
All you need to do is type "GIF" before the word "YouTube" in the URL of the video you are watching so it says "www.gifyoutube.com/" and then the rest of the URL, which you shouldn't change.
You will then be redirected to where you can select which part of the video that you want to turn into a GIF and then watch it transform.
Once you're happy, click "Create GIF" and then you'll be given a link that you can download or share on social media.
Dark mode
This tip is especially useful if you want to watch YouTube videos in the dark but don't want the glaring brightness of a white screen.
Simply go to the updated YouTube app on your smartphone, click on "Settings" which can be found under the "User" icon and then scroll down to the word "Dark Theme" and swipe the toggle to the right.
The background of your app should automatically turn black.
This is said to be better for your eyes and could save battery life.
Text while watching YouTube on your smartphone
This one is for YouTube Premium and Android smartphone users only but if you are one of those people then you're in luck.
You can shrink your YouTube video screen to a smaller size and then text at the same time by going to "Settings", then "Apps & notifications ".
After this go to "Advanced", "Special access" and then click "Picture-in-picture" and switch on the toggle next to "YouTube".
Simply turn the toggle off to restore your screen to normal.
How to get YouTube Premium
Here's what you need to do if you want to pay for more YouTube features...
- Go to the YouTube app on your phone or tablet
- Sign into the account you'd like to start your membership on or create an account if you don't have one already
- Choose a profile photo
- Then choose "Get YouTube Premium"
- You should be offered a free trial to see if you like the feature
- YouTube claims that the Premium version will give you access to benefits on YouTube, YouTube Music and YouTube Kids
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Which YouTube trick was your favourite? Let us know in the comments...
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