Saving works slightly differently depending on your device. Here are instructions for every major platform:
Supports: youtube.com/watch, youtu.be, youtube.com/shorts
How to Save on Different Devices
🖥️ Windows PC
Click the download button and the thumbnail saves to your Downloads folder. Right-click the image to choose "Save image as..." for a custom location.
🍎 Mac
Click download to save to your Downloads folder. Use Option+click for a direct save without a dialog. Files save as JPEG by default.
📱 iPhone / iPad
Tap and hold the thumbnail image, then select "Save to Photos" or "Download Linked File." The image goes to your Photos app or the Files app.
🤖 Android
Tap the download button. The image saves to your Downloads folder automatically. Find it in the Gallery app or Files app under Downloads.
How to Save YouTube Thumbnails
- Copy the Video URL: Navigate to the YouTube video and copy the URL from your browser or the YouTube app's Share button
- Paste the URL: Paste into the input field above
- Click Save: Hit the "Save Thumbnail" button to retrieve the image
- Choose Quality and Save: Select your resolution and click the download
button to save to your device
💡 Pro tip: On mobile, if the download button opens the image in a new tab, tap and hold the image then select "Save Image"
Saving Tips for Different Use Cases
Saving for Social Media
Use the hqdefault (480×360) or sddefault (640×480) resolution. Social media platforms compress images anyway, so ultra-high resolution is unnecessary. The 16:9 aspect ratio works perfectly for most social platforms.
Saving for Presentations
Choose maxresdefault (1280×720) for the crispest image in slides. At this resolution, thumbnails look sharp even when projected on large screens.
Saving to Cloud Storage
After saving to your device, move the file to Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud for access from any device. Some browsers let you set a cloud folder as the default download destination.
Common Issues (and Fixes)
Issue: "Image opens in browser instead of saving"
Fix: Right-click (or long-press on mobile) the image and select "Save image as..." or "Save to Photos." Some browsers display images before saving.
Issue: "Can't find the saved file"
Fix: Check your browser's Downloads folder. On Windows, press Ctrl+J. On Mac, press Command+Option+L. On mobile, check the Downloads or Files app.
Issue: "File saves with a random name"
Fix: Thumbnails are named by their video ID by default. Use "Save as" to rename the file before saving, or rename it afterward in your file manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are saved thumbnails stored on my device?
On desktop, thumbnails save to your Downloads folder. On iPhone, they go to the Photos app. On Android, they save to the Downloads folder or Gallery.
Can I save thumbnails to my phone?
Yes. Our tool works on mobile browsers. On iPhone, tap and hold the image then select "Save to Photos." On Android, the download button saves directly to your device.
What file format are saved thumbnails?
YouTube thumbnails are saved as JPEG (.jpg) files. This format is universally compatible with all devices, operating systems, and image editing software.
Can I save thumbnails to cloud storage?
After saving to your device, you can move thumbnails to Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or any other cloud service. Some browsers let you set a cloud folder as download destination.
Are saved thumbnails watermarked?
No. You get the exact, clean image from YouTube with no watermarks, branding, or modifications of any kind.
Can I save multiple thumbnails at once?
Yes. Switch to Bulk Mode, paste multiple URLs, and save all thumbnails in one ZIP file. This is much faster than saving them one by one.
Last updated: