I need to convert YouTube videos to MP3 on macOS — any suggestions?

I’ve run into the same issue on macOS. I mainly convert long talks and study videos, and after dealing with too many sketchy sites, I ended up settling on a few methods depending on the situation. If you’re looking for YouTube to mp3 on mac, here’s what has worked for me so far.

Method 1: Desktop app (my go-to option)

This is what I use most of the time now for YouTube to mp3 on mac, mainly because it avoids browser ads completely.

I use AllClipDown. It’s straightforward and doesn’t try to sneak in extra stuff.

How I use it:

1. Install and open the app on macOS
2. Copy the YouTube video URL
3. Paste the link into the app
4. Select MP3 as the output format
5. Click download and wait for it to finish

That’s it. No pop-ups, no fake buttons.

If macOS warns you when opening the app the first time, this Apple page explains how to safely allow apps you trust: Safely open apps on your Mac - Apple Support

For long audio content, this has been the least stressful option for me.

Method 2: Command line (most reliable, but less friendly)

When something fails everywhere else, I switch to the command line. This is probably the most stable method for YouTube to mp3 on mac, but it’s not for everyone.

I use yt-dlp in Terminal.

Basic steps:

1. Open Terminal
2. Make sure yt-dlp is installed
3. Run this command:

yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 <YouTube_URL>

Wait for the download to finish

No ads, no UI issues, and it usually works even when sites break.

If you’re not used to Terminal, Apple’s official guide is helpful:

Terminal User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

I wouldn’t recommend this to total beginners, but it’s solid once set up.

Method 3: Online converters (only as a backup)

I still use online tools occasionally, but only when I need a quick one-off conversion. They’re hit or miss these days.

How I stay safe using them:

1. Use Safari with pop-ups blocked
2. Paste the YouTube link into the site
3. Choose MP3 (avoid “HD downloader” buttons)
4. Close any tab that redirects immediately

I never install extensions or “recommended software.”

This Apple guide explains how to tighten Safari’s security settings: Safari User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

They work, but I wouldn’t rely on them long-term.

For me:

• Daily use → Desktop app
• Problem videos → Command line
• Emergency / quick job → Online tools

If you’re tired of ads and fake buttons, switching away from random websites makes a big difference. Hopefully this helps anyone else looking for YouTube to mp3 on mac without the usual headaches.

As far as I know, cobalt.tools is a good option for converting YouTube videos to MP3 on a Mac. It is a free web-based youtube to mp3 converter that lets you paste a video URL and get audio (including MP3) or video files without installing software. It supports many sites (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc.) and aims for an ad-free, simple experience.

Step 1: Open your browser on Mac and visit cobalt.tool website.

Step 2: Open YouTube and copy the link of the video you want to convert.

Step 3: Click the ⚙️ Settings icon and set:

• Mode: Audio
• Format: MP3
• Quality: High / Best available

Step 4: Click the Download / Convert button. Wait a couple of minutes, the MP3 file will download automatically to your Downloads folder.

Note: For frequent or batch downloads, a local tool like yt-dlp is more reliable but for quick youtube to mp3 conversions on mac, cobalt.tools is convenient.

How to convert YouTube videos to MP3 on macOS? Here's a step-by-step guide using Apple Music (previously iTunes) and the built-in Screen Recording feature:

Method:

1. Open YouTube in Safari: Go to YouTube on your Safari browser.

2. Play the Video: Find and play the YouTube video you want to extract audio from.

3. Enable Screen Recording: Click the Apple Menu () and then click System Preferences. Choose Screen Recording from the list on the left.

4 Start Recording: Click the Record button in the Screen Recording preferences. You'll see a small window pop up with a red bar that shows you're recording.

5. Minimize the Video: Click the YouTube video window and then click the Minimize button (or press Cmd + M) to minimize the video window.

6. Open Apple Music: Open Apple Music (formerly iTunes) on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder or use Spotlight (Cmd + Space) to search for it.

7. Create a New Playlists: Click on File and then New Playlist. Name the playlist something like "YouTube Video".

8. Import the Screen Recording: Go back to the Screen Recording window you minimized earlier. Click the Stop button in the top-right corner to stop the recording. The recording will be saved as a .mov file in your Movies folder by default. Drag and drop this .mov file into the Apple Music window.

9. Extract Audio: Select the .mov file in the Apple Music playlist and press Cmd + I to show the Inspector. In the Inspector, click on the Show More button and then select MPEG 4 Video and Apple HD Video. Now, select the Audio dropdown menu and choose No to remove the video. Then, click OK.

10. Convert to MP3: In the Apple Music window, right-click on the song and select Create MP3 Version. Apple Music will convert YouTube video to MP3 format and save it in the same playlist.