How to record YouTube live stream - Windows, Mac, iOS & Android
You can watch live stream on YouTube every day and sometimes you might want to record it for later viewing. Now, follow these quick tips to record a YouTube live stream with ease!
Jasmin Woods Updated on Feb 10, 2023 7:26 PM
All you need to know for recording a YouTube live stream video:
- There are a variety of ways to record YouTube live streams on different platforms.
- If you're watching YouTube live on your computer, you can use the pre-installed Xbox Game Bar on your PC or the Screenshot Toolbar on macOS to record the on-screen streaming.
- You can also record a YouTube live stream on your iPhone, iPad or Android using the native screen recording feature that came with your device.
- AppGeeker Screen Recorder is one of the best YouTube live stream recorders because of its excellent screen capture feature that provides excellent video quality and crystal-clear audio.
You can record YouTube live stream on different platforms with ease.
YouTube has become one of the most popular platforms for video sharing and live streaming. It wound not be wrong to say that YouTube has not only restricted itself to video-watching channels but has broadened its scope and is providing live-streaming services as well. There may be multiple instances when you want to record YouTube live stream to keep your favorite music live, sports, games, live TVs and other interesting things you care about.
Also see: How to Record Audio from YouTube Video
So if you want to record a live stream on YouTube and save the video file, no worries. Here in this guide, we will show you some of the best methods to record the YouTube live stream for later watching. No matter if you're using Mac, Windows PC, iPhone or Android, we'll be telling the easiest recording options that will equally help you in any platform. So now, check out the quick solutions below to create a new YouTube live stream recording:
Part 1. How to record YouTube live stream with built-in screen capture tools
Both Windows and macOS offer some built-in tools that allow you to screen record YouTube live streams on your computer. While native recording tools can be somewhat limited and only do standard recordings, they offer basic and quick options to record live streams from YouTube and save the captured video quickly on your computer.
Record YouTube live stream on Windows
If you're a Windows user, the native app Xbox Game Bar built in your computer allows you to record game clips as well as media videos playing on your system screen. As an easy and efficient tool, it can quickly access multiple capture sources while recording live streams from YouTube, including your computer screen, speaker outputs, as well as microphone. This allows you to record every moment and every sound from the YouTube live streaming on your screen.
To record the YouTube live stream with Xbox Game Bar while watching it on your computer:
Step 1. Open the YouTube live streaming video on your screen.
Step 2. Press Windows + G to enable the Xbox Game Bar toolbar.
Open the Xbox Game Bar for YouTube live stream recording.
Note: If the Xbox control panel doesn't show up, head to Windows Settings > Gaming. Then select Xbox Game Bar option and enable it to create local recordings. Once set, you can use the shortcut Win + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
Step 3. Select the video camera icon at the top, then the Capture box will pop up.
By default, Xbox will record the YouTube video along with audio. You can turn on the microphone option if you want to add your own voice to the recording.
Enable the Capture option for recording.
Step 4. Click the Start Recording button or press Win + Alt + R to begin recording the YouTube live streaming.
The capturing bar floats on the screen while recording the live stream from YouTube.
Step 5. Once the YouTube live ends, click on the Stop Recording button to exit capturing mode. You can also use the Win + Alt + R shortcut again.
Step 6. Click on the floating thumbnail Game Clip recorded to view the captured YouTube video.
The live streaming you just recorded on YouTube will be saved as an MP4 file on your computer automatically.
Note: The Xbox Game Bar can only record a single window on your screen. Make sure not to switch to a different display while recording the YouTube stream video. Otherwise, the screen recording stops. Also, Xbox has a time limit and can only record up to 2 hours.
Capture YouTube live streaming on Mac
Just like Windows, macOS also comes with screen capturing features that can help you in recording on-screen videos like YouTube live streams. You can use the pre-installed QuickTime Player or Screenshot toolbar (only for macOS Mojave or newer versions) for screen recording a live stream on YouTube:
Step 1. Access the YouTube live streaming video on the screen.
Step 2. Press the Command + Shift + 5 at the same time to open the Screenshot toolbar.
Screen recording the YouTube live streaming with built-in Screenshot toolbar on Mac.
Step 3. Choose a recording area which should include the YouTube live stream.
You can select the entire screen or just a portion of the screen, and then drag the YouTube window into the recording region. If you want to record mouse clicks, or add your microphone sound, click on the Options arrow select more.
Adjust the recording options before you start capturing the YouTube live on the screen.
Step 4. To begin recording, press the Record button on the toolbar.
Step 5. To stop capturing YouTube live streaming, hit the Stop button.
Once finish, click on the preview thumbnail in the bottom right corner to watch the recording.
Alternatively, you can open the QuickTime Player if you're using an older macOS. And then select File > New Screen Recording at the top of the screen to create a new recording of the YouTube live stream you want to save for later watching.
Note:
- Neither the Screenshot Toolbar nor QuickTime Player can capture the computer audio from macOS, so you may not be able to record the YouTube live stream with sound unless you use an extra audio capture tool along with it.
Part 2. How to use YouTube live stream screen recorders
Additionally, some helpful screen recorders also have the ability to capture the activities happening on the screen. They usually offer more screen recording options that allow you to capture a YouTube live stream in an easier way.
Record real-time or scheduled YouTube live streams
For those who want to capture YouTube live streams, the Screen Recorder app is capable enough to make recording without any complex steps. It is a full-featured screen recorder packed with numerous features, modes, and different recording options that can help you to record a YouTube live video from your computer screen, webcam, and microphone.
Besides the basic recording mode, the app also supports a picture-in-picture mode, allowing you to record yourself and the on-screen YouTube streams at the same time. You can also take advantage of its Task Schedule feature to record a YouTube live streaming in real time or on a schedule so that you won't miss any important online YouTube live.
Step 1: Open the YouTube live stream and run Screen Recorder.
Multiple recording modes available on the home interface.
Step 2: Select Video Recorder and configure the record settings.
Make sure to turn on the System Sound, so it can capture the YouTube live stream with audio. You can select full screen or only the stream video to record. Enable the Webcam and Microphone if you'd like to record your face and voice with the live stream simultaneously.
If necessary, click the Task Schedule at the bottom to make it start recording at the scheduled time accordingly. Check the gear icon to adjust the video format and quality as you want.
Adjust the capturing settings for a perfect recording result.
Step 3: Click the REC button to start YouTube live stream recording.
It allows you to pause, annotate, or stop the recording when needed.
Step 4: Hit the red Stop square and save the YouTube live stream recording.
Once done, the preview window shows up, letting you play, trim and edit the recording result. You can access it on the location folder, or copy and paste it to anywhere you want.
You can access all the recording results in the History.
Record online live stream using VLC
VLC, short for VideoLan Client, is one of the most popular cross-platform media players. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, it's also an efficient online stream recorder that allows you to record live stream videos from your YouTube.
1. Open the target YouTube live stream and copy its URL.
2. Run VLC on your computer and select the Media / File option on the upper left corner.
3. Choose Open Network Stream from the menu list.
Open the network stream option on VLC.
4. Paste the URL in the box under Please enter a network URL option and click on Open.
Copy and paste the URL of the YouTube live stream into the Network box on VLC.
5. Press the Record button to start and end recording the YouTube stream.
When the recording stops, you can go to the Media > Open Recent Media to find the newest YouTube live stream recording you just added.
Read more: How to Record YouTube Videos on Mac
Part 3. How to capture YouTube live stream on iPhone, iPad and Android
Much like you record a live video on your computer, you can also record a YouTube live stream on your Android or iPhone. Typically, both iOS and Android devices have their own native screen recording tools that allow for creating new recordings of the YouTube live stream locally.
Whether you're watching a YouTube live streaming on your iPhone, iPad, or Android, you can simply enable the built-in screen recording tool to capture the specific activities on YouTube live:
Screen recording YouTube stream on iPhone / iPad:
- Head to Settings > Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.
- Find the Screen Recording option and tap the plus + icon next to it.
- Open the YouTube live streaming you'd like to record.
- Swipe down from the top right of your screen, and tap on the Record button in white circle.
- The video recording will start after three-second countdown.
- Press the Record button again when you want to stop recording.
After that, you can go the Photos app to view and edit the YouTube stream recording.
Record YouTube streaming video on Android
The process for capturing YouTube live stream on Android is largely the same across devices. Just find the screen recording widget and use it to record.
- Open the live stream on YouTube.
- Swipe down from your Android screen to access the Quick Settings.
- Tap the pencil icon to customize the settings.
- Add the screen recording widget to the Quick Settings.
- Press the Screen Recorder icon and allow it to start recording.
- When you need to end recording, tap on the Screen Recorder button again.
The captured video will be saved in the Photos or Gallery app on your Android phone. You can play or share the recording result as you want.
Related FAQs
Q1: How to save a YouTube live stream?
- To save a YouTube live stream, simply go the YouTube Studio and sign in to your channel.
- Select the Content option from the left options.
- Then click on the Live tab at the top to view all your live streams.
- Hover over the stream video you want to save and click on the three-dots option.
- Select Download from the list to save it.
However, you can only save live streams from your own channel this way. And YouTube doesn't archive live streams longer than 12 hours.
Q2: Can you record an online live stream?
Yes. The online live streaming can be recorded in various ways. You can use either the built-in tools on your computer or some advanced screen recorders to capture the streaming videos you want:
- Xbox Game Bar (Windows only)
- Screenshot Toolbar (macOS Mojave and later)
- QuickTime Player (macOS only)
- AppGeeker Screen Recorder (Windows & macOS)
Q3: How to download a live stream from YouTube?
Actually, you can only download live streams from your personal YouTube channel. If you want to download a live streaming video from other people's YouTube channel, you'll have to screen record it and save the video recording for later use. All the methods we mentioned in this guide are able to help you in recording live streaming on YouTube.
Q4: How to record a YouTube live streaming on Mac?
To record a HD YouTube live stream on Mac, simply install the Screen Recorder on your macOS and follow the quick steps below:
- Open the YouTube streaming live video.
- Launch the Screen Recorder app and select the Video Recorder mode.
- Use the Custom option to auto-select the YouTube player window for recording.
- Enable the System Sound and click on REC button to start capturing.
- Hit the Stop button to end recording and save the live stream on your Mac.
Once complete, you can edit, share, or upload the recording as desired.
