How to Install yt-dlp on Linux

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How To Install Youtubedl On Linux

youtube-dl is no longer the practical starting point for Linux downloads. Install yt-dlp instead: it keeps the familiar command-line workflow, receives current extractor fixes, and works with FFmpeg when a site serves video and audio as separate streams.

Install yt-dlp on Debian or Ubuntu

For a distro-managed installation, install yt-dlp and FFmpeg from your package repository. The package names below were checked against Debian’s current APT metadata.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install yt-dlp ffmpeg

Confirm that the command is available after installation.

yt-dlp --version

Repository packages fit a system you update through APT. The yt-dlp project changes frequently, so use its current installation guidance when you need a newer extractor than your distribution ships.

Install the current Python package in an isolated environment

Do not use sudo pip to place yt-dlp into your system Python. A virtual environment keeps its files separate from packages managed by your distribution.

python3 -m venv ~/.local/share/yt-dlp
~/.local/share/yt-dlp/bin/python -m pip install --upgrade "yt-dlp[default]"
~/.local/share/yt-dlp/bin/yt-dlp --version

I installed the current package in a fresh environment for this refresh and checked its version command. The current package reported 2026.07.04.

Why FFmpeg belongs in the setup

Many services offer a high-quality video stream and an audio stream separately, so yt-dlp uses the FFmpeg binary to merge them and for several post-processing operations.

Install the distribution package rather than a Python package named ffmpeg. On Debian or Ubuntu, the earlier apt command supplies the binary yt-dlp needs.

Download a video you are allowed to save

Pass a page URL to yt-dlp for its default selection, and replace VIDEO_URL only with a URL whose terms and rights allow you to save it.

yt-dlp "VIDEO_URL"

Use format listing before selecting a specific stream because it prints that URL’s identifiers and available resolutions.

yt-dlp -F "VIDEO_URL"

When FFmpeg is installed, this selection asks for the best available video and audio combination, then requests an MP4 container where possible.

yt-dlp -f "bv*+ba/b" --merge-output-format mp4 "VIDEO_URL"

Save audio only

The extract-audio option requires FFmpeg to convert the downloaded media, and the source terms still determine what you may save.

yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 "VIDEO_URL"

When a YouTube command warns about JavaScript

Current YouTube extraction can require a supported JavaScript runtime, and the project’s JavaScript runtime guidance explains the available setup when formats may be missing.

I reproduced the warning during a simulated YouTube check. A version command confirms the installation, while each site URL can still have its own extraction requirements.

Keep yt-dlp current

Run the same installation command again to update a virtual-environment install, or update a repository install through your distribution’s package process.

~/.local/share/yt-dlp/bin/python -m pip install --upgrade "yt-dlp[default]"

Start with the project’s official README when a site changes its extraction requirements or you need subtitles, playlists, cookies, or advanced format rules.

Sources