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How to Import YouTube Videos to CapCut (Mobile and PC)

Importing YouTube videos to the CapCut video editor can be tricky if you've never done it before.

In this quick guide, I'll show you the easiest ways to import videos into CapCut for video editing for both mobile and PC.

It's a great way to give a boost to your content, so let's dive in.

Quick answer

PC: the easiest way is the screen recorder in CapCut's browser editor.

  1. Log in at capcut.com and start a project.
  2. Click "Media", then the "Record" icon, and choose "Record tab".
  3. Pick your YouTube tab, turn on "Also share tab audio" and click "Share".
  4. Press "Record", switch to your YouTube tab and play the video.
  5. Click "Stop", then "Save and edit".

Mobile: screen record the video, then import the recording.

  1. Start your screen recorder (Control Center on iOS, Quick Settings on Android).
  2. Play the YouTube video in full screen, then stop the recording.
  3. Import the recording into CapCut like any other media.

Only record videos you made yourself or have permission to use. Reusing someone else's video without permission can get your edit a copyright claim or strike.

In This Article

How to Import YouTube Videos to CapCut for PC? (2 Ways)

There are two ways to do this on your PC. The first method works well if you've already got a CapCut account, and you don't mind giving CapCut access to your camera and mic.

The second option requires downloading and installing OBS Studio, but is preferred by some.

1. Using the CapCut Browser Based Editor

The easiest way to import YouTube content into your CapCut edit on PC is to use the CapCut browser based video editor. Here's how:

  1. Go to capcut.com and login (you have to make an account and login, skip to option 2 if you don't want to do this)
  2. Start a project
  3. Click "Media", and then click the "Record" icon as seen below
Screen recording in the web based CapCut video editor
  1. From the dropdown menu, click "Record tab" (you'll have to allow CapCut access to your mic and camera)
  2. Select your YouTube tab and make sure "Also share tab audio" is enabled if you want to capture sound and background music too. Click "Share"
  3. Now, press "Record" and move over to your YouTube tab, press play and record the shot you need
  4. Once you've captured the content you need from YouTube click "stop" then "Save and edit"

That's it! The captured content will be added to the media tab. If you want to resume editing in the desktop app, simply export the YouTube content from the CapCut web editor, then re-import it to the desktop app.

2. Use OBS Studio

This is my preferred method for importing YouTube videos into CapCut. Here's how to import YouTube content into CapCut using OBS Studio:

  1. Head over to obsproject.com/download and download the relevant package for your machine
  2. Once installed, open OBS and locate the "Sources" panel in the bottom row
Location of the Sources panel in the OBS Studio desktop app
  1. Click the ➕ icon then click "Window capture" and choose the display you want to record
  2. If you want to record sound as well, click the ➕ icon again and click "Audio output capture", click "Ok"

That's it! You're now ready to record using OBS Studio. Click "Start Recording" in the bottom right side to start and "Stop Recording" when you're finished.

Important: To locate where your OBS video saved go to File → Settings → Output → Recording → Recording Path.

This is where your screen records will be saved by default. You can change the path here too if you want to!

What about YouTube Premium? Premium's Download button only saves videos for offline viewing inside the YouTube app, so you can't import them into CapCut. Use one of the two recorders above instead.

How to Import YouTube Videos to CapCut for Mobile?

There aren't as many options for importing YouTube content to the CapCut video editor on mobile. The simplest and easiest way is to use your device's screen capture features. Here's how:

1. iOS Users

  1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and tap the Screen Record button (circle inside a circle)
  2. Wait for the 3-second countdown before recording starts
  3. Play your YouTube video in full screen
  4. When finished, tap the red time indicator at the top and select "Stop" to save the recording

Your recording will be saved to camera roll and can be imported to CapCut the same as any other media.

2. Android Devices

  1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to access Quick Settings and tap "Screen Record" (or "Screen Recorder")
  2. Select your desired recording settings (sound, show taps, etc.) and tap "Start"
  3. Play your YouTube video in full screen
  4. When done, pull down the notification shade and tap "Stop" on the screen recorder notification

Now import your screen recording into CapCut app the same way you would anything else!

Wrapping Up

Today we learned exactly how you can capture content from YouTube and import it to CapCut, using a bunch of different methods.

For desktop users, I covered two methods, each useful in their own way. For mobile users? Not as many options, but still super simple using screen record.

So get the CapCut app and have fun editing. 😎

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