One of our users asked on Reddit, “I've paid for a subscription to a YT channel that gives me access to 'members only' vids - I can play the vids, but 4k tells me it can't parse the link. Any workarounds to this?”

We believe this topic might be of interest to many of you, so here we are—covering how to watch and download members-only YouTube videos with 4K Video Downloader+.

And for those of you who don’t know what members-only YouTube videos are, here’s a brief explainer.

What Are Members-Only Videos on YouTube?

Members-only YouTube videos are videos that are exclusively available to viewers who have subscribed to a channel's membership program. These videos are typically behind a paywall or subscription barrier, meaning that only members who have paid a monthly fee or subscribed to a particular tier of membership can access them.

Content creators often offer members-only videos as a way to provide exclusive content, special perks, or additional value to their most dedicated and supportive fans. These videos may include behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive interviews, early access to new content, or other exclusive content that regular viewers cannot access.

YouTubers hide some videos behind the members-only program to generate additional revenue through membership fees while also building a community and exclusivity among their most loyal supporters.

Is there a way to watch members-only videos on YouTube?

There are, but only as long as you have a subscription to the channel. You can sign up for a YouTube Premium trial, which offers access to members-only content for a limited time, usually one month. If you're a member, you can watch and record the video for personal use. Sometimes, content creators may share snippets or teasers of their members-only videos on their social media pages or other websites. You might find excerpts or promotional material there. Members might have the option to download members-only videos and watch them offline, depending on the channel's settings and policies.

Tip: If you want to download an entire YouTube channel or playlist, you can do that in just a couple of clicks with 4K Video Downloader+.

How to Download Members-Only YouTube Videos

You can easily do that with 4K Video Downloader+, our new rendition of the video downloader millions love.

First of all, make sure you have the latest app version. Then, follow these steps:

1. Launch 4K Video Downloader+. It's available for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

2. Log in to your YouTube account within the app. You can do that from the Control Panel -> Log In.

3. Copy the link to a members-only YouTube video or find it through the in-app browser.

4. Paste the link by pressing the green Paste Link button. If you use the in-app browser, you simply need to click Download at the bottom of the video.

5. Select the format, quality and output folder.

6. Click the Download button.

And here you have it! The members-only YouTube video will be saved on your computer in a folder that 4K Video Downloader+ creates automatically. To find it, simply click on the folder icon next to the video. If you want to play it, simply click on the video.