Vidmate has stopped downloading YouTube videos, and you're staring at error messages instead of your favorite content. Before you try another sketchy APK or give up entirely, you need to understand what's actually happening—and whether fixing it is even worth the legal and security risks.
Vidmate is a third-party Android application that allows users to download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and over 1,000 other platforms. The app gained massive popularity because it offered something YouTube's official platform doesn't: the ability to save videos directly to your device in various resolutions from 144p to 4K.
But here's the reality check you need: YouTube's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit downloading videos through third-party services, stating users may not "access content through any technology or means other than the video playback pages of the Service itself". When Vidmate stops working with YouTube, it's often because YouTube has updated its platform to block these unauthorized downloads.
Why Vidmate Keeps Breaking with YouTube
YouTube and third-party downloaders exist in a perpetual cat-and-mouse game. Google's policy on video downloading apps restricts Vidmate's availability on the Play Store, which is why you can only get it from third-party websites. This creates several recurring problems:
Platform Updates: YouTube regularly modifies its API and security protocols to prevent unauthorized downloads. What worked last month might be blocked today.
Legal Pressure: In 2017, YouTube-MP3.org shut down after Sony Music and Warner Bros launched a copyright infringement lawsuit. This constant legal pressure forces downloader apps to constantly update—or disappear entirely.
Regional Restrictions: In some countries, Vidmate is blocked by networks, requiring VPN access to bypass restrictions.
9 Fixes When Vidmate Won't Download YouTube Videos
If you've decided to proceed despite the legal risks, here are the technical fixes that actually work:
1. Update to the Latest Vidmate Version
Old versions may stop working due to bugs or compatibility issues with newer YouTube updates. Since Vidmate isn't on the Play Store, you won't receive automatic updates.
How to do it:
- Visit a trusted Vidmate download website (be extremely cautious of malware)
- Download the latest APK version
- Uninstall the old version first
- Install the new APK after enabling "Unknown Sources" in your Android settings
- Restart your device
2. Clear Vidmate's Cache and Data
An overloaded cache can become corrupted and cause the app to crash or freeze.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Vidmate
- Tap Storage
- Select "Clear Cache" first
- If issues persist, select "Clear Data" (this will reset your app settings)
- Reopen Vidmate and try downloading again
3. Check Your Internet Connection
Vidmate relies heavily on stable network connectivity, and weak signals cause failed downloads or buffering.
Quick tests:
- Switch between WiFi and mobile data
- Run a speed test (you need at least 2-3 Mbps for reliable downloads)
- Restart your router if using WiFi
- Move closer to your WiFi source or find a stronger signal area
4. Verify Storage Permissions
Vidmate needs access to storage, media, and network permissions to function properly.
Permission checklist:
- Settings > Apps > Vidmate > Permissions
- Ensure Storage permission is enabled
- Grant Media access if prompted
- Enable any other permissions the app requests
- Restart the app after changing permissions
5. Free Up Device Storage
Running low on storage is a common but overlooked problem. If your device has less than 1GB of free space, downloads will fail.
Storage cleanup:
- Delete unnecessary apps, photos, and videos
- Clear cache from all apps (Settings > Storage > Cached data)
- Move files to an SD card or cloud storage
- Uninstall old APK files you no longer need
- Aim for at least 2-3GB of free space for smooth operation
6. Perform a Complete Reinstall
If none of the basic methods work, the app itself might be corrupted, and uninstalling and reinstalling is often an effective fix.
Complete reinstall process:
- Uninstall Vidmate completely from your device
- Restart your phone
- Clear any residual files from your download folder
- Download the latest version from a reputable source
- Install and configure from scratch
7. Try Using a VPN
In some countries, Vidmate is blocked by networks, and VPN apps can help bypass restrictions.
VPN considerations:
- Download a reputable VPN app (ProtonVPN, Windscribe offer free tiers)
- Connect to a server in a different country
- Open Vidmate and attempt your download
- Note: VPNs can slow down download speeds
- Some VPNs may interfere with Vidmate's servers rather than help
8. Check for Android Compatibility
Some newer phones may not support older Vidmate versions, especially if you're running Android 13 or newer.
Compatibility fixes:
- Verify your Android version (Settings > About Phone)
- Look for Vidmate versions specifically built for your Android version
- Consider whether your phone manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi) has additional restrictions
- Some custom ROMs may block certain sideloaded apps
9. Restart Your Device
Many times, apps start working fine after a simple restart, which refreshes your phone system and clears background issues.
Why this works:
- Clears temporary system files
- Resets network connections
- Closes conflicting background processes
- Refreshes app permissions
- Takes only 1-2 minutes
The Legitimate Alternatives You Should Consider Instead
Rather than fighting with Vidmate's constant breaking and risking legal issues, consider these legitimate options:
YouTube Premium ($13.99/month): YouTube Premium offers a legal way to download videos for offline viewing on mobile devices and select desktop browsers, with features including ad-free viewing and background play. Downloads stay in the YouTube app and refresh every 30 days.
Creative Commons Content: YouTube offers a search filter for videos licensed under Creative Commons, making it easier to find content that can be legally downloaded and reused. Use YouTube's filter: Upload date > Creative Commons.
Ask for Permission: For educational or professional use, contact content creators directly. Many will provide download links or grant permission for specific uses.
Official Download Features: Some creators enable YouTube's built-in download button for their videos. Look for the download icon under the video player.
The Legal Reality You Can't Ignore
Before attempting any fixes, understand what you're getting into. Using third-party download services can lead to account termination and potential legal consequences, as it often infringes on copyright laws.
Here's what the law actually says:
YouTube's Terms: YouTube's Terms of Service clearly state that you shall not download any Content unless YouTube provides a 'download' or similar link for that specific content. Every time you use Vidmate to download a YouTube video, you're violating these terms.
Copyright Law: Downloading copyrighted content without permission is illegal in most jurisdictions. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including videos, music, and other creative content, and downloading or distributing copyrighted material without permission is illegal.
The Gray Areas: There are legitimate exceptions like Creative Commons-licensed videos, public domain content, or using YouTube Premium's official download feature. But for mainstream content—music videos, TV shows, popular YouTuber content—downloading violates both terms of service and copyright law.
Why YouTube Doesn't Sue Individual Users: YouTube has never sued anyone for downloading content, though the company considered legal action against large downloader services. The platform generally focuses on shutting down the services rather than prosecuting individual users.
The Bottom Line
Vidmate's repeated failures with YouTube aren't bugs—they're features of a system working as designed. YouTube actively prevents unauthorized downloads to protect creators and its business model. While the fixes above may temporarily restore functionality, you're signing up for a perpetual cycle of breaks and repairs.
More importantly, using Vidmate for YouTube downloads violates terms of service, likely infringes copyright, exposes you to security risks, and hurts content creators. The legitimate alternatives—YouTube Premium, Creative Commons content, and creator permissions—provide legal, safe, and ethical ways to access videos offline.
The choice ultimately rests with you, but make it with full awareness of what you're risking and who you're affecting. Sometimes the thing that's "not working" is doing exactly what it should be.