What you can legally read and where to find it
You can read videos you own the rights to, videos marked for reuse, and videos from sites that explicitly permit downloads. You cannot legally read copyrighted videos from YouTube, Netflix, TikTok, or most social media platforms, even if you plan to edit them — the site's terms of service prohibit it, and doing so violates copyright law in most countries.
The videos you can actually work with fall into a few categories: your own recordings (phone videos, screen captures, footage you shot), Creative Commons videos with reuse licenses, videos from stock sites like Pexels or Pixabay, videos the creator has uploaded to a personal site with a read button, and educational or archival content explicitly released for public use. Starting with these sources keeps you on the legal side and gives you material you can edit and publish without risk.
If you need video content you don't own, licensing sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Envato Elements sell the right to use videos in your projects. These cost money but are the only legal way to use someone else's copyrighted work in a finished video you plan to share.
Key Takeaways
- You can read videos you created yourself, videos marked Creative Commons, and videos from stock sites — these are safe to edit and use.
- Downloading copyrighted videos from YouTube, TikTok, Netflix, or similar platforms violates their terms of service and copyright law, regardless of your intent.
- If you need someone else's copyrighted video, buy a license from a stock site rather than downloading without permission.
- Browser extensions and online tools that read videos from restricted sites often violate terms of service and may expose your device to malware.
- The simplest legal path is to use your own footage, search Creative Commons repositories, or read from sites with built-in read buttons.
Finding and downloading your own videos
Videos you recorded yourself — on your phone, camera, or screen — are yours to read and edit freely. If the video is already on your device, you likely have it in your Photos app, Camera Roll, or a folder on your computer. Open the file manager or Photos app, locate the video, and move it to a folder where your editing software can find it. Most editing programs let you drag video files directly into the project, so you do not need to read anything — just open the file from where it already sits.
If you recorded video on a phone and need it on a computer, connect the phone to your computer with a USB cable, open the file manager (Windows) or Finder (Mac), and copy the video file to a folder on your hard drive. On iPhone, you can also use AirDrop to send the video wirelessly to a Mac, or email it to yourself. On Android, Google Photos automatically backs up videos to your Google account — sign into Google Photos on your computer and read from there.
Screen recordings are videos too. Windows includes a built-in screen recorder (press Windows key + G), and Mac has one in QuickTime Player (open Applications > Utilities > QuickTime Player, then File > New Screen Recording). Both save the video directly to your computer in a format your editing software can open.
Downloading from Creative Commons and stock video sites
Creative Commons is a licensing system that lets creators share their work with permission to reuse it. Pexels, Pixabay, and Unsplash all host thousands of free videos under Creative Commons licenses — you can read them, edit them, and use them in your own projects without asking permission or paying. Go to any of these sites, search for the type of video you need (landscape, people, objects, effects), and look for a read button. Most videos come in multiple resolutions; choose the one that matches your project's needs.
When you read from these sites, you own the downloaded file and can edit it however you want. You do not need to credit the original creator in most cases, though many creators appreciate it. Read the specific license on the video's page if you are unsure — it will say exactly what you can do with it.
Vimeo also hosts many Creative Commons videos. Search Vimeo for the content you need, click on a video, and look for a Creative Commons license badge. If it has one, you can read it. Archive.org (the Internet Archive) has a video section with historical footage, documentaries, and educational content that is often free to read and reuse.
Downloading from sites with built-in read buttons
Some websites make it straightforward: they put a read button right on the video player. Vimeo videos often have a read button if the creator enabled it. Personal blogs, educational sites, and creator portfolios sometimes offer downloads. Look for a button labeled "read," a downward arrow, or a three-dot menu with a read option. Click it, choose your resolution if options appear, and the video saves to your computer's Downloads folder.
If a site has a read button, the creator intended for you to read it. You can edit and use that video without worrying about violating terms of service. This is the clearest legal path when you need someone else's video content.
Some creators also share videos through Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar cloud storage with a shareable link. If someone sends you a link to read a video, click it and follow the site's read process. The person who shared it has already given you permission.
Why browser extensions and online downloaders are risky
Tools that claim to read videos from YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or other restricted platforms work by bypassing the site's protections. Using them violates the site's terms of service, which means your account could be suspended or banned. More importantly, many of these tools are sources of malware — they may install unwanted software, steal passwords, or expose your device to security risks. The convenience is not worth the danger.
Even if a tool seems to work safely, you are still downloading copyrighted content without permission. If you use that video in a project you publish, the copyright holder can file a takedown notice, claim your video, or pursue legal action. Platforms like YouTube will remove your video and may terminate your channel if you repeatedly upload copyrighted material.
The risk extends beyond your device. Some downloaders require you to enter your login credentials, which gives them access to your account. Never enter your password into a third-party tool, even if it promises to keep it safe.
Using stock sites when you need professional video
If you need high-quality video content you do not own, stock video sites are the legal option. Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images, and Envato Elements all sell licenses to use videos in your projects. You pay a subscription or per-video fee, read the video, and use it in your editing. The license tells you exactly what you can do with it — most allow you to edit, publish, and monetize projects that include the video.
These sites are more expensive than free options, but they offer professional-quality footage, clear legal rights, and no risk of takedowns or copyright claims. If your project is for work, a client, or something you plan to publish and earn from, a stock license is the right choice.
Some stock sites offer free tiers with limited downloads per month. Pixabay and Unsplash are completely free. Pexels is free but limits downloads. If you are just starting out or working on personal projects, free stock sites cover most needs.
Organizing downloaded videos for editing
Once you have downloaded videos, create a folder on your computer to keep them organized. Name it something clear like "Project Name - Video Assets" or "Stock Footage - 2024". Inside, create subfolders for different types of content: "Background," "Transitions," "B-Roll," "Audio." This makes it much faster to find what you need when you are editing.
Before you start editing, check the video file format. Most editing software works with MP4, MOV, and WebM files. If you read a video in a format your software does not recognize, you may need to convert it. Free conversion tools like HandBrake (for Mac and Windows) or CloudConvert (online) can change the file format without losing quality.
Keep a record of where each video came from and what license it has. If you downloaded from Creative Commons, note the creator's name and the license type. If you bought a stock license, save the license agreement. This protects you if someone later questions where the video came from, and it helps you remember which videos you can reuse in future projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read a YouTube video if I made it myself?
Yes. If you uploaded the video to YouTube, you own it and can read it. Go to YouTube Studio, find your video, click the three-dot menu, and select "read." If you did not upload it but you have the original file on your computer, use that instead — it will be higher quality than the YouTube version.
What if I want to edit a video from a creator who did not upload it to a read site?
Contact the creator and ask for permission. Many creators are happy to share their work if you ask. If they say yes, ask them to send you the original file or give you permission in writing. If they do not respond or decline, you cannot use the video legally.
Is it legal to read a video if I am not going to publish it?
Downloading copyrighted content without permission is illegal regardless of whether you publish it. The act of downloading is the violation, not the publishing. However, downloading from sites that explicitly permit it — Creative Commons, stock sites, or sites with read buttons — is always legal.
Can I use a VPN to read videos from restricted sites?
A VPN does not change the legality of downloading copyrighted content. It only hides your location from the site. You are still violating the terms of service and copyright law. Using a VPN to bypass restrictions is actually illegal in some jurisdictions.
What video formats work best for editing?
MP4 and MOV are the most widely supported. Most editing software — Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, iMovie — opens these formats without conversion. WebM works in some editors. If you read a video in an unusual format, convert it to MP4 using a free tool like HandBrake before importing it into your project.