The Knowledge Base
Comprehensive FAQ Archive
Every technical detail, troubleshooting step, and format explanation you need. Explore 100 curated answers regarding our 4K, MP3, and MP4 extraction engines.
01 General Usage
Is theytb. truly free? ▼
Yes, our service is 100% free with no hidden fees or premium paywalls for basic features.
Do I need an account? ▼
No registration is needed. Simply paste your link and download anonymously.
Are there download limits? ▼
Currently, we allow unlimited downloads for all users to build their local media libraries.
How fast are the downloads? ▼
Our 10Gbps backbone ensures conversion speeds are limited only by your own internet connection.
Does it work on tablet? ▼
Yes, our responsive design works perfectly on iPad, Galaxy Tab, and other tablet devices.
Is there a browser extension? ▼
We are currently developing a Chrome and Firefox extension for late 2026.
Does theytb support other sites? ▼
Currently, we are optimized specifically for YouTube, including Shorts and Live archives.
What language is the site in? ▼
We support English, Spanish, and French, with more languages arriving soon.
Is the site safe for kids? ▼
Yes, we maintain a clean environment, though we recommend parental supervision for any internet use.
How can I support theytb? ▼
Share our link with friends and colleagues to help us grow our community!
02 YouTube to MP3
What is the max MP3 bitrate? ▼
We support high-fidelity extraction up to 320kbps.
Are ID3 tags included? ▼
Yes, our engine automatically embeds the title and thumbnail art into the MP3.
Is there an audio-only M4A option? ▼
Yes, M4A is available for Apple users who want native iOS compatibility.
Can I convert 1-hour music mixes? ▼
Absolutely. Long-form videos are supported by our high-performance servers.
Does the quality drop during conversion? ▼
We extract the original digital audio stream to ensure zero loss in fidelity.
How small are the MP3 files? ▼
A typical 4-minute song at 320kbps is roughly 9MB.
Can I choose 128kbps to save space? ▼
Yes, we offer multiple bitrate options including 128kbps and 192kbps.
Do you support stereo sound? ▼
Yes, the full stereo imaging of the original video is preserved.
Will it play on my old MP3 player? ▼
Yes, our MP3 format is universally compatible with all hardware players.
Can I convert YouTube music videos? ▼
Yes, as long as the video is public, our tool can extract the audio.
03 YouTube to MP4
What is the best resolution for mobile? ▼
720p or 1080p is recommended for the best balance of size and clarity.
Do MP4 files include audio? ▼
Yes, our MP4 extraction remuxes audio and video into a single file.
Can I download subtitles? ▼
Currently, we only extract the hardcoded video/audio streams.
What codec do you use? ▼
We use H.264 (AVC) for maximum compatibility across all devices.
Are the downloads watermarked? ▼
Never. You get the original video exactly as it appears on the platform.
Is MP4 better than WebM? ▼
MP4 is universally supported, while WebM is better for 4K/8K efficiency.
Can I play MP4 files on my TV? ▼
Yes, virtually all Smart TVs support MP4 playback via USB.
What is the file size of a 1080p video? ▼
Approximately 50-100MB per minute depending on the complexity of the scene.
Is 60FPS supported? ▼
Yes, if the original video was uploaded in 60FPS, our tool will capture it.
Can I edit the downloaded MP4? ▼
Yes, MP4 files are compatible with Premiere Pro, Final Cut, and CapCut.
04 4K YouTube Downloader
Is 4K always an option? ▼
Only if the original video was uploaded in 2160p (4K) resolution.
Why is the 4K file so large? ▼
4K contains 4x the pixel data of 1080p, requiring significantly more storage space.
Does it support 8K? ▼
Yes, our engine can extract 8K resolution where available.
What format is 4K in? ▼
Usually WebM or high-profile MP4 to handle the heavy bitrate.
Do I need a 4K screen to watch? ▼
No, but the visual quality is only fully appreciated on a 4K display.
Is HDR preserved? ▼
Yes, our tool attempts to preserve High Dynamic Range data.
Why does 4K take longer to analyze? ▼
Large resolution files have complex metadata that takes more time to process.
Will 4K work on my smartphone? ▼
Modern flagships can play 4K, but it may drain battery quickly.
Can I download 4K at 60FPS? ▼
Yes, if provided by the source, we support the 4K 60FPS stream.
Does 4K include high-res audio? ▼
Yes, we pair 4K video with the highest available bitrate audio track.
05 YouTube Shorts
Can I download YouTube Shorts? ▼
Yes, we have a dedicated engine for saving vertical 9:16 Shorts.
Is there a watermark on Shorts? ▼
No, our downloads are clean and logo-free.
How do I get the Shorts link? ▼
Tap 'Share' on the Short and select 'Copy Link'.
Can I convert Shorts to MP3? ▼
Yes, the audio from any Short can be extracted as an MP3.
What is the max resolution for Shorts? ▼
Typically 1080p, which is the standard for vertical HD video.
Can I save Shorts to my iPhone gallery? ▼
Yes, use Safari and save the file to your 'Files' app, then move to Photos.
Are Shorts downloads fast? ▼
Extremely fast. Most Shorts are processed in under 2 seconds.
Can I download my own Shorts? ▼
Yes, it's a great way to archive your own content for other platforms.
Do you support private Shorts? ▼
No, the Short must be set to 'Public' or 'Unlisted' to be accessed.
Can I save the Short's description? ▼
We only capture the video and audio data at this time.
06 Mobile & Desktop
Does it work on Android? ▼
Yes, use Chrome or Brave on Android for a smooth experience.
Is it compatible with Mac? ▼
Yes, works flawlessly on macOS using Safari or Chrome.
Can I use it on a Linux PC? ▼
Yes, our web-based tool is platform-agnostic and works on all distros.
Does it drain phone battery? ▼
Conversion happens on our servers, so your battery usage is minimal.
What about Chromebooks? ▼
Yes, it works perfectly on ChromeOS.
Can I download directly to an SD card? ▼
If your mobile browser allows changing the download path, yes.
Is there a Windows 11 app? ▼
No app required. Use our web tool for better security and speed.
Do you support Smart TVs? ▼
You can use the TV browser, but downloading files is easier on a PC/Mobile.
Can I use a VPN? ▼
Yes, VPNs are fully supported and often help with geo-blocked content.
What is the best browser for theytb? ▼
Google Chrome and Safari provide the most stable performance.
07 Technical Data
What is Cloud Remuxing? ▼
It's merging separate audio and video streams on our server so you get one file.
Do you use FFmpeg? ▼
Yes, we use customized FFmpeg cores for high-speed transcoding.
What is DASH? ▼
Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP—it's how YouTube delivers chunks of video.
Is your backend server-side? ▼
Yes, 100% of the processing happens on our cloud clusters.
Do you support AV1? ▼
Yes, our system identifies and extracts AV1 streams for 4K/8K.
What is VBR vs CBR? ▼
We use Constant Bitrate (CBR) for MP3s to ensure maximum device compatibility.
Is the source code open? ▼
The theytb. core engine is a proprietary, secure architecture.
Do you use proxy servers? ▼
Yes, to provide high-speed access to regionally blocked content.
What is the API response time? ▼
On average, our engine returns formats in under 400ms.
How many nodes do you have? ▼
We use a global network of over 50 conversion nodes.
08 Troubleshooting
Why did the download fail? ▼
Usually due to a private video link or temporary server congestion.
"Analysis Failed" Error? ▼
Try refreshing the page or ensuring the URL is correct.
No sound in my MP4? ▼
Ensure you didn't accidentally select a 'Video Only' stream.
Download is very slow? ▼
Check your local connection or disable your VPN temporarily.
Link won't paste? ▼
Ensure you have copied the full https:// link from the address bar.
"Video is Private"? ▼
We cannot download videos that are set to private by the owner.
Does ad-block affect usage? ▼
Sometimes. If buttons are missing, try whitelisting theytb.com.
Can't open the file? ▼
Try using the free VLC Media Player for all our file types.
File is corrupted? ▼
Usually caused by a signal drop during the final download. Try again.
"Server busy" message? ▼
We are experiencing peak traffic. Please wait 1 minute and retry.
09 Privacy & Safety
Is theytb.com safe? ▼
Yes, our site is monitored 24/7 and free of malicious code.
Do you track my IP? ▼
IPs are used only for rate-limiting and are scrubbed daily.
Do you store my files? ▼
No, files are ephemeral and deleted after 1 hour.
Do you sell user data? ▼
Never. We don't even collect names or emails to sell.
Is the connection encrypted? ▼
Yes, the entire site is secured with 256-bit SSL encryption.
Are the ads safe? ▼
We strictly vet our ad partners to ensure no malicious redirects.
Can Google see what I download? ▼
No, your session with theytb is private.
Do you use cookies? ▼
Only essential session cookies for UI preferences.
Is it safe for my smartphone? ▼
Yes, everything happens within the secure browser sandbox.
Where is your server located? ▼
We use a globally distributed network for privacy and speed.
10 Legal Matters
Is downloading legal? ▼
Personal offline use (time-shifting) is generally considered fair use.
What is "Time-Shifting"? ▼
Viewing/listening to content at a later time on a different device.
Can I monetize these files? ▼
No, distributing copyrighted content for profit is strictly prohibited.
Do you have a DMCA policy? ▼
Yes, please see our dedicated DMCA page for removal requests.
Is it okay for education? ▼
Yes, many educators use our tool for classroom archival purposes.
Are you affiliated with YouTube? ▼
No, theytb is an independent service provider.
Is redistribution allowed? ▼
No, files are for personal, private, offline use only.
What about CC videos? ▼
Creative Commons videos are intended for sharing and are 100% safe to save.
Is theytb legal in the EU? ▼
Yes, our services are generally compliant with EU digital utility laws.
Who is responsible for the file? ▼
The end user is responsible for ensuring their usage complies with local laws.
Still have questions?
Our support team is happy to help with any technical difficulties you might face.
Contact Support