Summary
Looking to download YouTube movies in MKV format? This article will show you 3 easy ways to save YouTube videos as MKV files. With these methods, you can enjoy your favorite movies offline anytime, without buffering or compatibility issues. Whether you prefer desktop software, browser extensions, or open-source tool, there’s a solution here for you!

Watching YouTube movies online can be challenging with a weak network connection. To ensure a seamless HD viewing experience, you can download and convert YouTube movies to MKV format in advance. MKV files support lossless 4K quality and allow for file size reduction while preserving high video quality, making them ideal for sharing and organizing videos. But do you know how to download YouTube movies as MKV files? If not, this article will walk you through the process, so you can enjoy breathtaking YouTube movies offline anytime and anywhere.

CONTENTS

Part 1. How to Convert YouTube Movies to MKV Using Desktop Software[Recommended]

Converting YouTube videos to MKV files is a piece of cake if you have the right YouTube downloader. Need a suggestion? iMovieTool All-in-One Video Downloader is highly recommended for its easy yet professional download services.

iMovieTool All-in-One Video Downloader is a reliable tool lets you download YouTube movies and TV shows to MKV and MP4, it also supports 8 other seven popular streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, HBO, and Apple TV+, Facebook and Twitter. To download a YouTube movie, you can simply log into YouTube through the built-in web browser, and directly search for and download the movies in HD 1080P, while preserving the original audio track and subtitles, there is no additional apps are required. Once the download is complete, you can transfer the download YouTube movie to any device for offline viewing. Therefore, if you’re new to such tools, iMovieTool is a great option to start with.

Key Features of iMovieTool All-in-One Video Downloader

  • Support various platform, such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.
  • Download YouTube movies to MKV/MP4.
  • Support downloading YouTube movies in HD 1080P.
  • Preserve audio track and subtitle with multi-language.
  • Batch download video at 50X faster speed.
  • Built-in YouTube web browser, no need any other apps.
  • Watch YouTube movies offline on any device.
  • Work on both Windows & Mac.
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Guide: How to Download YouTube Movies to MKV

Download and install the iMovieTool All-in-One Video Downloader on your computer, then follow these steps to save your favorite YouTube movies in MKV format:

Step 1. Select YouTube and Log In
Open iMovieTool All-in-One Video Downloader. This tool supports downloads from seven different platforms. To download from YouTube, choose the YouTube option and log in with your account.

choose imovietool service

Once logged in, you’ll be taken to the main interface.

imovietool interface

Step 2. Search for Movies to Download
Use the search bar to find the movie you want to download. Enter the movie title or paste the YouTube link directly into the search bar, then click “Search” to locate it.

search youtube movies

Step 3. Configure Video Preferences
Click the “Gear” icon in the top right corner to access settings. Choose MKV as the output format, adjust video quality, select the video codec, set audio and subtitle preferences, and choose an output folder.

configure video preferences

Step 4. Download Movies in MKV Format
Click the “Download” button to begin downloading your selected movie. The video will be saved as an MKV file on your computer.

download movies in mkv format

Once the download is complete, you can find the movie in MKV format in your selected folder. Enjoy watching it offline on your computer or transfer it to any device for easy viewing!

Part 2. How to Convert YouTube to MKV with Open-Source Tool

If you want a free way to convert YouTube videos to MKV, you can use open-source tools from GitHub. However, they can be a bit tricky for beginners. One popular option is youtube-dl, a command-line tool that lets you convert YouTube videos to formats like MKV, MP4, MP3, and more. While powerful, it might be challenging if you’re not familiar with command-line commands.

Here’s how to use youtube-dl:

Step 1. Download youtube-dl from GitHub by clicking ‘Code’ > ‘Download ZIP’.

Step 2. Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to convert.

Step 3. Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and go to the folder where youtube-dl is saved.

Step 4. Type this command to convert to MKV: youtube-dl -f mkv video URL.

Step 5. Replace “video URL” with the link you copied earlier.

Step 6. Press Enter to start converting the video to MKV format.

youtube-dl

Part 3. How to Convert YouTube to MKV via Browser Plugin

Want an easy way to convert YouTube videos to MKV without downloading software or complicated steps? Try the Video DownloadHelper browser plug-in! It works with Safari and Edge, letting you save YouTube videos as MKV files with just a few clicks. However, it may sometimes have trouble detecting videos, so download success may vary.

Note: The Chrome version doesn’t support YouTube downloads, so use Safari or Edge instead.

How to use Video DownloadHelper:

Step 1. Install the plug-in on Safari or Edge. Once it’s installed, its icon will show up in the toolbar.

Step 2. Go to the YouTube video you want to download. The icon will turn color when it detects the video.

Step 3. Click the icon to open the menu and see download options.

Step 4. Choose “Download” and select “Download and convert to” > “MKV” to start the download.

video downloadhelper

Part 4. FAQs About Converting YouTube Video to MKV

Q1. Does YouTube Use MKV?
No, YouTube doesn’t use MKV format. YouTube stores videos in a special format that only it can decode, so you can only watch the downloaded videos on their app or website. If you want MKV files, you’ll need a third-party tool like iMovieTool All-in-One Video Downloader to convert the videos.

Q2. Can I Convert YouTube Videos to MKV on Android?
No, there are no apps on Android to save YouTube videos as MKV files. However, you can download YouTube videos to your computer using iMovieTool All-in-One Video Downloader and then transfer them to your Android device.

Q3. Can I Convert YouTube Videos to MKV Online?
Many online downloaders only support MP4. You can download the video as MP4 and then convert it to MKV using another tool, but this might reduce video quality. For a better and simpler solution, iMovieTool All-in-One Video Downloader works well.

Conclusion

This guide walks you through how to convert YouTube videos to MKV with 3 simple methods. With the detailed tutorials provided, you can easily complete the process. Among these methods, iMovieTool All-in-One Video Downloader is the top choice. It’s not only easy to use for converting YouTube videos to MKV, but it also guarantees high-quality output for a great viewing experience on any device. Plus, it offers a free trial so you can try out all its features at no cost. Download it today and give it a try!

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Daniel
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Daniel has always had great enthusiasm for writing, programming and web development. He likes writing about software and technology, his works are featured on some tech blogs or forums like Tom's Hardware, CNET, etc.