-
01 Copy the YouTube video URL
Open YouTube and find the video, music, podcast, or lecture you want. Copy the full URL from your browser's address bar, or tap Share → Copy Link on the YouTube mobile app.
-
02 Paste into rawlink and click GET
Open rawlink's YouTube downloader. Paste the URL into the input field and press GET. rawlink will fetch all available streams for the video, including audio-only options, in about 3–5 seconds.
-
03 Select the MP3 or audio option
After the results load, look for the audio-only options — labeled 'MP3' or 'Audio Only'. These contain the sound track with no video data, keeping the file size much smaller than the full video.
// tip Choose the highest available bitrate for best audio quality — 320 kbps for music, 128 kbps is fine for podcasts and speech. -
04 Download the MP3 to your device
Click the download button. Your browser saves the .mp3 file to your Downloads folder. On iPhone, tap the link and select 'Download' or use a download manager app like Documents by Readdle to save to your device.
What Audio Quality Does the Extracted MP3 Have?
rawlink extracts the highest audio stream YouTube has encoded for the video. For most videos this is 128 kbps AAC (equivalent to a good quality MP3). Music videos uploaded by official music channels often have 256 kbps or 320 kbps audio streams available. The quality is entirely determined by what YouTube originally encoded — rawlink never re-encodes or degrades the audio. If you're downloading music, look for the highest bitrate option in the download list. For speech content like podcasts and lectures, 128 kbps is more than sufficient and keeps file sizes small.
Does YouTube to MP3 Conversion Work for YouTube Music?
Yes. YouTube Music URLs — those starting with music.youtube.com/watch?v= — are fully supported and work exactly like regular YouTube links. Paste the YouTube Music URL into rawlink, click GET, and select the audio option. This is especially useful for downloading full albums or playlists from YouTube Music for offline listening. Note that YouTube Music Premium subscribers have an in-app download feature; this rawlink method works for free users accessing public YouTube Music content.
How to Save YouTube MP3 to iPhone Music / Apple Music
Once you've downloaded the MP3 via rawlink, you can add it to the Apple Music library: on Mac, drag the .mp3 file into the Apple Music app and it will appear in your library, then sync to your iPhone. On iPhone directly: use the Documents by Readdle app to download the MP3 via rawlink's built-in browser, then use the Share menu to open it in the Files app. From Files, you can add it to the Music app using the share sheet. For the most reliable method, transfer via iTunes or Finder on Mac: connect your iPhone, go to the Files tab, and drag the MP3 under 'On My Device'.
Can I Extract Audio from YouTube Shorts and Live Streams?
YouTube Shorts are fully supported — paste the /shorts/ URL and select the MP3 option just like a regular video. The extracted audio is the full sound track of the Short. YouTube live streams in progress cannot be downloaded (they're not stored as a permanent file yet), but completed live streams that YouTube has archived as a replay video are fully supported. Past live streams work just like regular YouTube videos — copy the video URL after the stream ends and use rawlink normally.
Is Converting YouTube to MP3 Legal?
Converting YouTube videos to MP3 for personal offline use is widely practiced and generally accepted for content you have the right to access. However, redistributing downloaded audio, using it in your own videos without permission, or monetizing it violates copyright law and YouTube's Terms of Service. Music tracks are particularly protected — downloading an official music video's audio for personal listening is a grey area, while using it in a public or monetized video is clearly an infringement. Always respect creators' rights, and when in doubt, support artists by using licensed streaming services.