Have you ever saved a YouTube video because you wanted to watch it later and then completely forgot where it went?
You’re not alone. I have done this myself, especially when saving videos from different channels, courses, recipes, and music playlists.
The good news is that finding your saved YouTube videos is simple once you know where to look.
YouTube’s current app uses the You tab for your playlists and Watch Later videos. On a computer, you can also find Watch Later from the You section. The exact layout can vary slightly depending on your device and YouTube version.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to find YouTube saved videos on Android, iPhone, iPad, and desktop. I’ll also explain the difference between Watch Later, playlists, downloads, and videos you’ve liked.
You may also be interested in How to Fix Snapchat Can’t Find Matching Credentials Error.
Table of Contents
How to Find YouTube Saved Videos on Android
If you saved a video to Watch Later, you can find it from the You tab in the YouTube app.
Here are the steps:
- Open the YouTube app on your Android phone.
- Make sure you’re signed in to the Google account where you saved the video.
- Tap your profile picture to open the You tab.
- Look under Playlists.
- Tap Watch Later.
- You will see the videos you have saved there.
YouTube’s current Android instructions place Watch Later under the You tab.
What if you saved the video to another playlist?
Watch Later is not the only place where saved videos can be stored.
If you selected a custom playlist when saving the video, open the You tab and look through your playlists.
For example, you might have playlists called:
- Study Videos
- Cooking
- Music
- Travel
- Web Development
- Fitness
YouTube lets you view playlists you created or saved from the You tab.
So if a video is missing from Watch Later, check your other playlists before assuming it has disappeared.
How to Find YouTube Saved Videos on iPhone or iPad
The steps are almost the same on an iPhone or iPad.
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap your profile picture to open the You tab.
- Find the Playlists section.
- Tap Watch Later.
- Look through the list for the video you saved.
YouTube’s current iPhone and iPad instructions also use the You tab to access playlists and Watch Later.
If you saved the video to a custom playlist, open that playlist instead.
One thing to remember
Your saved videos are connected to your YouTube account. They are not simply stored inside your phone.
So if you saved a video using one Google account, make sure you’re signed into that same account when looking for it.
This is one of the first things I check when a saved video seems to have disappeared.
How to Find YouTube Saved Videos on Desktop or PC
Finding saved videos on a computer is also straightforward.
- Open YouTube in your browser.
- Sign in to the Google account you used when saving the video.
- Click You in the left-side navigation.
- Find Watch Later.
- Click it to open your saved videos.
YouTube’s current desktop instructions place Watch Later under the You section.
You can also open any custom playlists you’ve created or saved.
Don’t use the wrong Google account
If you cannot find your saved videos on your computer, check the account first.
For example, if you saved a video on your phone while signed into one Google account but opened YouTube on your computer with another account, your Watch Later list will be different.
You don’t need to save the video separately on your computer. Your YouTube playlists are connected to your account.
Where Are YouTube Watch Later Videos?
Watch Later is a YouTube playlist designed for videos you don’t want to watch immediately.
To find it:
YouTube app:
Profile picture → You → Playlists → Watch Later
Desktop:
You → Watch Later
YouTube describes Watch Later as a playlist where you can keep videos so you can easily find them again.
This is usually the first place to check when someone asks, “Where are my saved YouTube videos?”
But remember, not every saved video will necessarily be in Watch Later. You may have saved it to another playlist.
How to Find Videos Saved to a Playlist
YouTube lets you save videos to different playlists.
For example, instead of choosing Watch Later, you may have selected an existing playlist or created a new one.
To find those videos:
- Open YouTube.
- Go to the You tab.
- Scroll to Playlists.
- Select the playlist you used.
- Look for the saved video.
YouTube also lets you save playlists created by other creators. Saved and created playlists can be accessed through the You tab.
So don’t assume that every video you saved is inside Watch Later.
How to Save a YouTube Video for Later
If you want to save a video now, YouTube gives you the option to add it to Watch Later or another playlist.
On Android
- Open the video.
- Tap More.
- Tap Save.
- Choose Watch Later or another playlist.
You can also tap the More option next to a video while browsing and choose Save to Watch Later.
On iPhone or iPad
The process is similar:
- Open the video.
- Tap More.
- Tap Save.
- Choose Watch Later or another playlist.
YouTube’s current iOS instructions support saving videos to Watch Later or other playlists.
On a computer
- Open the video.
- Click More.
- Click Save.
- Choose Watch Later or another playlist.
You can also hover over a video’s thumbnail and select the Watch Later option.
How to Save a YouTube Short
You can save Shorts too.
While watching a Short:
- Tap or click More.
- Select Save to playlist.
- Choose Watch Later or another playlist.
YouTube’s current help documentation specifically includes Shorts in its Watch Later instructions.
So if you saved a Short and can’t find it, check Watch Later and your other playlists.
How to Find Downloaded YouTube Videos
Saved videos and downloaded videos are two different things.
When you select Save, the video is added to Watch Later or another playlist.
When you select Download, YouTube stores the video for offline viewing inside the YouTube app.
If you have YouTube Premium, downloaded videos can be watched offline on supported devices. YouTube says downloaded videos are found through the You tab on mobile.
Important: downloads are not normal video files
Downloaded YouTube videos are not normally placed in your phone’s Gallery or Photos app.
YouTube says downloaded videos are stored in an encrypted form on the device and can only be watched through the YouTube app.
So if you download a YouTube video and then check your phone’s Gallery, don’t be surprised if you can’t find it there.
What about YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium allows eligible users to download videos for offline viewing.
Download quality can be changed from YouTube’s download settings. Higher-quality downloads use more storage and may take longer to download.
The old statement that YouTube only allows low or medium quality unless you pay for Premium is too broad, so I would remove it from this article.
Download availability also varies by location and video. Some videos may not be available for offline playback.
Why Can’t I Find My Saved YouTube Videos?
There are several reasons a saved video may seem to be missing.
1. You’re using the wrong Google account
This is the first thing to check.
Open your YouTube profile and confirm that you’re signed into the account you used when saving the video.
2. You saved it to another playlist
The Save button can send a video to Watch Later or another playlist.
Check your other playlists if it isn’t in Watch Later.
3. The video was removed or made unavailable
A creator can delete a video or change its availability.
If that happens, the saved entry may no longer work.
4. You removed the video from Watch Later
If you accidentally removed the video, it will no longer appear in your Watch Later list.
5. The video is marked Made for Kids
YouTube restricts certain features on content marked as Made for Kids.
One of those restrictions is the ability to save the video to a playlist or Watch Later.
So if you don’t see the Save option on a particular video, this may be the reason.
6. You’re confusing downloads with saved videos
A downloaded video is for offline viewing.
A saved video is normally placed in Watch Later or another playlist.
They are separate features.
YouTube Saved Videos vs Downloads
This is a simple difference, but it causes a lot of confusion.
| Feature | Saved Video | Downloaded Video |
| Main purpose | Watch later | Watch offline |
| Where it is stored | Watch Later or playlist | YouTube app |
| Needs internet | Usually yes | No, during eligible offline period |
| Appears in phone Gallery | No | No |
| Works with YouTube playlists | Yes | Separate from playlists |
| YouTube Premium required | Not generally | Depends on location and video |
YouTube says offline downloads are available through Premium where supported, while some mobile downloads are also available in selected countries and for selected videos.
Can I Find My Saved Videos on Another Device?
Yes, if you sign into the same YouTube account, you will find the YouTube saved videos on another device.
For example, if you save a video on your Android phone, you can later open YouTube on your computer and find it through your You section and playlists.
The same applies when moving between a phone, tablet, and other supported devices.
The important part is using the same account.
What Happened to the YouTube Library Tab?
This is worth mentioning because many older tutorials still tell users to tap Library on their phone.
YouTube’s current mobile instructions use the You tab to access Watch Later and playlists.
So if you’re following an older guide and cannot find the Library tab, don’t worry. Look for your profile picture and open the You tab instead.
The interface can change over time, and YouTube may show different navigation depending on the device.
What Is the Difference Between Watch Later and a Queue?
Watch Later and Queue are not the same thing.
A Queue is mainly for videos you want to watch next. It is not the same as permanently saving videos to your account.
If you want to keep a video so you can return to it later, save it to Watch Later or a playlist.
This is especially useful if you close your browser or leave YouTube and want to find the video again later.
Video Guide: How Do I Find My YouTube Saved Videos?
If you prefer watching rather than reading, you can also add a short video guide here showing the current steps for Android and iPhone.
A simple screen recording is best because YouTube’s menus can change over time.
Final Words
Finding saved YouTube videos is easier once you know the difference between Watch Later, playlists, and downloads.
On the current YouTube app, start by opening your You tab and checking Playlists → Watch Later. If the video isn’t there, check your other playlists and make sure you’re signed into the correct Google account.
If you downloaded the video instead of saving it, look in YouTube’s Downloads area rather than Watch Later.
And if you’re following an older tutorial that tells you to open the Library tab on your phone, the interface has changed. The current YouTube app uses the You tab for playlists and Watch Later.
I hope this guide saves you some time. I know how annoying it is to remember a video but have no idea where you saved it.
If you still can’t find the video, check your Watch Later playlist first. That’s usually the easiest place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find my saved videos on YouTube?
Open YouTube, go to the You tab, and look under Playlists for Watch Later. If you saved the video to another playlist, open that playlist instead.
Where is Watch Later on YouTube?
On the current YouTube mobile app, open your profile and go to the You tab. Under Playlists, select Watch Later. On desktop, click You in the left navigation and open Watch Later.
Why can’t I find my saved YouTube videos?
First, check that you’re using the correct Google account. Then check Watch Later and your other playlists. The video may also have been removed, made unavailable, or saved somewhere other than Watch Later.
Did YouTube remove the Library tab?
YouTube’s current mobile instructions use the You tab to access Watch Later and playlists. Older guides may still refer to Library, which can make the current app confusing.
Are saved YouTube videos stored on my phone?
No. Videos saved to Watch Later or playlists are associated with your YouTube account. They are different from videos downloaded for offline viewing.
Where are downloaded YouTube videos stored?
Downloaded videos are available inside the YouTube app rather than your normal phone Gallery. YouTube says downloaded videos are stored in an encrypted form and can only be watched through the YouTube app.