Download any YouTube Short as a clean, watermark-free MP4 and get a direct download link in seconds — no API key, no login, no cookies or account required. Paste a single Short, a whole channel's /shorts tab, or a plain search query and grab every clip at scale. Get a video ID, filename, resolution, duration, and file size with every download. Export scraped data to JSON, CSV, Excel, or XML, schedule runs via API, and integrate with your tools and AI workflows.
Built for AI agents: call this actor from Claude, ChatGPT / Codex, and Cursor through the Apify MCP server to download YouTube Shorts as part of any automated workflow.
What it does • AI agents (MCP) • How to use • Output data • Limits • Output example • Pricing • Integrations • FAQ • More YouTube actors
*** ### What can YouTube Shorts Downloader do? {#what-can-youtube-shorts-downloader-do} **YouTube Shorts Downloader** lets you **download YouTube Shorts** as ready-to-use MP4 files with a direct download link — **no API key, no login, no cookies or account required**. Paste one or many Shorts URLs, pick a quality, and run: you get back a clean video with no watermark, no on-screen branding, and nothing to install. It is the fastest way to download YouTube Shorts for offline viewing, reposting, archiving, editing, or feeding into an AI content pipeline. Beyond single links, you can **download YouTube Shorts at scale**: the actor also accepts channel URLs (including the **/shorts** tab), profile URLs, and YouTube search-result URLs — each is expanded automatically so you can grab many Shorts at once. You can even pass plain search queries and let the actor find matching Shorts for you. **Get your first Shorts free in under 2 minutes.** #### ✅ Download Shorts as clean, watermark-free MP4 Every Short is downloaded and merged into a standard `.mp4` file that plays anywhere — phones, desktops, editors, and social schedulers. No watermark, no overlay, no re-encoding surprises. #### 🗂️ Download YouTube Shorts in bulk — links, channels, and search Feed a mix of individual Shorts URLs, channel/profile URLs, the channel `/shorts` tab, or YouTube search-result URLs. The actor expands each source and downloads every Short it finds, up to your chosen limit. **No limitations on the number of links you queue.** #### 📊 Pick your quality Choose exactly how sharp you want the output: **360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p (Full HD),** or **Best available**. The actor downloads and merges up to the resolution you select. #### 🔎 Search YouTube directly Skip the browser. Enter plain search terms like `best places of england` and the actor pulls matching Shorts from YouTube's results and downloads them alongside any links you provided — going **beyond the limitations of the official YouTube API**. #### ⚡ Direct, ready-to-use download links Each result includes a direct download URL plus useful metadata — video ID, filename, resolution, duration, and file size — so you or your automation can grab the file immediately. **Fast response times deliver your files in seconds. 🚀** #### 🔄 No login, no API key, no setup There is nothing to install and nothing to authenticate. No cookies, no YouTube account, no API key. The actor handles everything for you and returns structured, machine-readable results from **publicly available data**. #### 💬 Structured output for automation Results come back as clean JSON and can be exported to **JSON, CSV, Excel, or XML**, so downstream tools — spreadsheets, editors, agents — can consume them without any parsing gymnastics. *** ### Use YouTube Shorts Downloader with AI agents — Claude, ChatGPT & Cursor (MCP) {#use-with-ai-agents-mcp} This actor is fully compatible with the **Model Context Protocol (MCP)**, which means AI assistants can call it directly as a tool to **download YouTube Shorts** on demand. - **Claude** (Desktop or via the Anthropic API) can run the downloader and hand you a link inside a conversation. - **ChatGPT / Codex** can trigger it as part of a task or coding workflow. - **Cursor** and other MCP-aware IDEs can invoke it while you build content pipelines. Connect through the [Apify MCP server](https://apify.com/apify/actors-mcp-server) and your agent can request "download this Short in 1080p" and receive the finished MP4 link automatically. Because the output is clean JSON, it flows naturally into the wider automation ecosystem. Combine it with MCP and no-code connectors for **Make, Zapier, n8n, Slack, Airbyte, Gumloop, CrewAI, IFTTT, Lindy, GitHub, Google Sheets,** and **Google Drive** to build hands-off workflows — for example, "watch a channel's Shorts, download new ones, and drop the links into a Notion database." *** ### How to download YouTube Shorts {#how-to-download-youtube-shorts} 1. Open the [YouTube Shorts Downloader](https://apify.com/myagizm/youtube-shorts-downloader) on Apify. 2. Paste one or more Shorts URLs into **Shorts URLs** (`startUrls`). You can also add channel, profile, `/shorts` tab, or search-result URLs. 3. (Optional) Add plain **Search terms** (`searchTerms`) to have the actor find matching Shorts for you. 4. Pick a **Quality** (`quality`) — from 360p up to Best available. 5. Set **Max shorts** (`maxItems`) to cap how many Shorts a run downloads. 6. Click **Start** and wait a few moments. 7. Open the **Output/Dataset** tab and use the direct download links, or export the results to JSON, CSV, Excel, or XML. That's it — no account, no API key, no software. **Get your first results free in under 2 minutes.** *** ### What data can I get when I download YouTube Shorts? {#what-data-can-i-get-when-i-download-youtube-shorts} Each downloaded Short is returned as a structured item. The table below lists the fields you get for every result. | Field | Type | Description | |-------|------|-------------| | `url` | string | Direct download link for the MP4 file. | | `filename` | string | Human-readable file name (video title + `.mp4`). | | `videoId` | string | YouTube video ID of the Short. | | `sourceUrl` | string | Original YouTube URL the Short was taken from. | | `resolution` | string | Actual output resolution, e.g. `720p`. | | `height` | integer | Video height in pixels. | | `sizeMB` | number | File size in megabytes. | | `contentType` | string | MIME type of the file, e.g. `video/mp4`. | | `durationText` | string | Human-readable duration, e.g. `0:32`. | | `durationSeconds` | integer | Duration in seconds. | | `token` | string | Internal reference for the merged output stream. | | `storage` | string | Where the file is temporarily hosted for download. | | `expiresAt` | string (ISO) | Timestamp when the download link expires. | | `deleteAfter` | string | Retention window before the file is removed, e.g. `24h`. | | `retentionHours` | integer | Retention window in hours. | | `driveFileId` | string | Identifier of the stored file for direct retrieval. | > Fields may vary slightly depending on the Short and the quality you request. *** ### Use cases — why download YouTube Shorts? - **Content creators & editors** — grab Shorts to remix, subtitle, or repurpose across platforms. - **Social media managers** — archive and reschedule Shorts without screen recording. - **Marketers & agencies** — build swipe files of high-performing Shorts in your niche for competitor analysis and content auditing. - **Researchers & analysts** — collect Shorts in bulk for review and annotation. - **AI content pipelines** — feed downloaded MP4s into transcription, summarization, or clipping tools. - **Offline viewing** — save Shorts to watch later without an internet connection. - **Backups & archiving** — preserve your own Shorts before they are edited or removed. *** ### Download a single Short Provide one URL and a quality. This is the simplest possible run. ```json { "startUrls": [ { "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Df5Y-2ndQyU" } ], "quality": "1080" } ``` ### Download multiple YouTube Shorts at once Pass several links and raise the limit to download YouTube Shorts in bulk. ```json { "startUrls": [ { "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Df5Y-2ndQyU" }, { "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/abcd1234EFG" }, { "url": "https://youtu.be/hijk5678LMN" } ], "quality": "720", "maxItems": 10 } ``` ### Download all Shorts from a channel Point the actor at a channel's `/shorts` tab and it expands the list automatically. ```json { "startUrls": [ { "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@MrBeast/shorts" } ], "quality": "1080", "maxItems": 25 } ``` ### Find and download YouTube Shorts by search Use plain queries — no URL building required. Only Shorts among the results are kept. ```json { "searchTerms": [ "best places of england", "quick pasta recipe" ], "quality": "720", "maxItems": 20 } ``` ### Mix links and search in one run Combine everything: individual Shorts, a search-result URL, and plain search terms. ```json { "startUrls": [ { "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Df5Y-2ndQyU" }, { "url": "https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=travel+shorts" } ], "searchTerms": [ "morning routine" ], "quality": "best", "maxItems": 30 } ``` *** ### Limiting results {#limits} Control run size and duration with **Max shorts** (`maxItems`): - **Default:** `1` - **Minimum:** `1` - **Maximum:** `100` A single run lasts at most about **10 minutes**, so set `maxItems` to a value your quality choice can comfortably finish inside that window. Higher resolutions produce larger files and take longer per Short — if you need many high-quality downloads, split them across several runs. *** ### Output example {#output-example} A real result item for a single downloaded Short: ```json { "url": "https://short.link/AWLVB3", "token": "merged:360", "height": 256, "sizeMB": 0.9, "storage": "drive", "videoId": "Df5Y-2ndQyU", "filename": "Read My Book, You Could Win $1,000,000.mp4", "expiresAt": "2026-07-20T21:13:24.955Z", "sourceUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df5Y-2ndQyU", "resolution": "256p", "contentType": "video/mp4", "deleteAfter": "24h", "driveFileId": "1DCj-lOt3NM2vctr16juMt1vWTM4Gs41S", "durationText": "0:32", "retentionHours": 24, "durationSeconds": 32 } ``` Download the file directly from the `url` field, or use `driveFileId` for programmatic retrieval before the link expires. *** ### How much does it cost to download YouTube Shorts? {#how-much-does-it-cost-to-download-youtube-shorts} This actor is **pay-per-result**: you are billed for the Shorts you actually download, not for idle time. Because it handles everything for you and returns a direct link, runs are fast and efficient — most single downloads finish in seconds. **Get your first results free in under 2 minutes** with Apify's free monthly usage. To keep costs predictable, cap runs with `maxItems` and choose only the resolution you need. Lower resolutions download faster and cost less per file. See the [Apify pricing page](https://apify.com/pricing) for platform details and free monthly usage. *** ### Integrate with n8n, Zapier, and Make {#integrations} You can run this actor from any tool that speaks HTTP. Trigger it from **Make, Zapier, n8n, Slack, Airbyte, Gumloop, CrewAI, IFTTT, Lindy, GitHub, Google Sheets,** or your own code, and read results straight from the dataset. **Run synchronously and get the download results in one call:** ```bash curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/myagizm~youtube-shorts-downloader/run-sync-get-dataset-items?token=YOUR_API_TOKEN" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{ "startUrls": [ { "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Df5Y-2ndQyU" } ], "quality": "1080", "maxItems": 5 }' ``` **Start a run asynchronously:** ```bash curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/myagizm~youtube-shorts-downloader/runs?token=YOUR_API_TOKEN" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{ "startUrls": [ { "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@MrBeast/shorts" } ], "quality": "720", "maxItems": 20 }' ``` **Fetch the dataset items later:** ```bash curl "https://api.apify.com/v2/datasets/DATASET_ID/items?token=YOUR_API_TOKEN&format=json" ``` You can also connect through the [Apify MCP server](https://apify.com/apify/actors-mcp-server) so AI agents and MCP-aware apps can call the actor as a native tool. Native integrations for Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable, Zapier, and Make are available in the Apify Console under the actor's **Integrations** tab. *** ### Support {#support} Questions, feature requests, or a Short that won't download? Open an issue on the actor's **Issues** tab in the Apify Console and we'll take a look. We actively maintain this actor to keep pace with YouTube changes, so if something stops working, let us know and we'll fix it fast. *** ### FAQ {#faq} #### Is it legal to download YouTube Shorts? This actor only works with **publicly available data**. Downloading videos may still be subject to YouTube's Terms of Service and to copyright and data-protection law (such as GDPR) in your country. Use it for content you own, content you have permission to use, or where local law allows (for example, personal or fair-use purposes). You are responsible for how you use the downloaded files. #### Do I need a YouTube account or API key to download YouTube Shorts? No. There is **no login, no cookies, and no API key**. Paste a link and run — the actor handles everything for you. #### Can I use YouTube Shorts Downloader with the Apify API? Yes. Start runs and fetch results through the [Apify API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2) using the path `myagizm~youtube-shorts-downloader`. See the synchronous and asynchronous snippets above. #### Can I download YouTube Shorts through an MCP server (AI agents)? Yes. Through the Apify MCP server, AI agents like **Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor** can call this actor as a tool and receive the download link directly. #### Do I need proxies to download YouTube Shorts? No. Proxying and all networking are handled for you — there is nothing to configure. #### Can I integrate downloaded Shorts with other apps? Yes. Connect the actor to **Make, Zapier, n8n, Slack, Google Sheets, Airtable,** and more via the Integrations tab, webhooks, or the API. #### Can I export the results to CSV, Excel, or JSON? Yes. Every run's dataset can be exported to **JSON, CSV, Excel, or XML** from the Apify Console, or fetched via the API in any of those formats. #### Can I download multiple YouTube Shorts at once? Yes. Pass many links (or a channel `/shorts` tab, or search terms) and download **up to 100 Shorts per run**. Every Short becomes its own dataset item with its own download link and metadata. #### Can I schedule the downloader? Yes. Use Apify Schedules to run the actor on a recurring basis — for example, to grab a channel's new Shorts every day. #### Can I download Shorts from private accounts? No. This actor only accesses **publicly available** Shorts. Private, unlisted-without-link, or removed videos cannot be downloaded. #### Are the downloads watermark-free? Yes. Output is a clean MP4 with no watermark and no injected overlays. #### What quality can I download? You can choose 360p, 480p, 720p, 1080p (Full HD), or Best available. The actor downloads and merges up to the resolution you pick. #### Can I download an entire channel's Shorts? Yes. Pass the channel's `/shorts` tab URL (or a profile URL) and the actor expands it automatically, downloading Shorts up to your `maxItems` limit. #### Can I search for Shorts instead of pasting links? Yes. Enter plain queries in `searchTerms` and the actor finds and downloads matching Shorts. You can also pass a YouTube search-result URL in `startUrls`. #### How long do the download links stay valid? Each result includes an `expiresAt` timestamp and a retention window (`deleteAfter` / `retentionHours`). Download the file before it expires, or re-run the actor to generate a fresh link. #### Does it work with regular YouTube video links too? The actor is optimized for Shorts. You can pass standard `youtube.com/watch` or `youtu.be` links to a Short, and it will process them. For full-length videos, use the [YouTube Video Downloader](https://apify.com/myagizm/youtube-video-downloader) listed below. #### Why did a Short fail to download? Some Shorts are private, region-locked, age-restricted, or removed. Try another link, or lower the requested quality if a specific resolution is unavailable. *** ### Want other YouTube data? {#want-other-youtube-data} Downloading Shorts is one piece of the puzzle. Explore the rest of the **myagizm** YouTube toolkit to pull audio, transcripts, metadata, and more at scale: - [YouTube Video Downloader](https://apify.com/myagizm/youtube-video-downloader) — download full-length YouTube videos as MP4. - [YouTube to MP3 Downloader](https://apify.com/myagizm/youtube-mp3-downloader) — extract audio from any YouTube video as an MP3. - [YouTube Transcript Scraper](https://apify.com/myagizm/youtube-transcript-scraper) — pull full transcripts and captions from videos. - [YouTube Video Info Scraper](https://apify.com/myagizm/youtube-video-info) — get titles, stats, and metadata for any video. - [YouTube Channel Scraper](https://apify.com/myagizm/youtube-channel-scraper) — list videos, Shorts, and details from any channel. - [YouTube Comment Scraper](https://apify.com/myagizm/youtube-comment-scraper) — collect comments and replies at scale. *** ### Related searches {#related-searches} youtube shorts downloader · download youtube shorts · bulk shorts download · shorts video download api · save youtube shorts hd · shorts content repurposing · youtube shorts mp4 · x402 actor · ai agent scraper no account · pay with usdc api · mcp scraper for agents *** ### Run it from an AI agent — no Apify account needed (x402) {#x402} This actor accepts **agentic payments** over the open [x402 protocol](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/x402). An AI agent can pay for a run in **USDC on Base** and get the data without an Apify account, a credit card, or an API key: ```bash ## one-time: wallet + prepaid token (agent side) npx -y awal auth loginyoutu.be/… link). You can also pass channel/profile URLs (incl. the /shorts tab, e.g. https://www.youtube.com/@MrBeast/shorts) and YouTube search-result URLs; each is expanded automatically.
## `quality` (type: `string`):
Maximum resolution to download and merge to MP4. For example, choose 1080 for Full HD or best to grab the highest resolution available for that Short. Higher resolutions produce larger files and take longer per download.
## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):
Maximum number of Shorts to download in one run. For example, set 10 to cap a bulk channel or search job at ten downloads. A run lasts at most ~10 minutes.
## `searchTerms` (type: `array`):
Plain YouTube search queries (e.g. "best places of england" or "quick pasta recipe"). Matching videos are downloaded alongside any links above. For Shorts, only Shorts among the results are kept.
## Actor input object example
```json
{
"startUrls": [
{
"url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Df5Y-2ndQyU"
}
],
"quality": "1080",
"maxItems": 1,
"searchTerms": []
}
```
# Actor output Schema
## `results` (type: `string`):
All scraped items as structured JSON.
# API
You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.
## JavaScript example
```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';
// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '