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Save a YouTube Thumbnail on iPhone
Save any YouTube thumbnail on iPhone or iPad — no app required. Use the download button, or press and hold to Save to Photos.
Save a YouTube Thumbnail on iPhone tool
Why iPhone Needs an Extra Tap Sometimes
Safari on iOS is cautious about automatically downloading images from another website. If the Download button does not immediately drop the file into your Files or Photos, the reliable fallback is the press-and-hold gesture, which every iPhone supports.
Step by Step
Copy the YouTube link
In the YouTube app or Safari, tap Share on the video and choose Copy Link.
Open this tool in Safari
Paste the link into the box at the top of this page and tap Download Thumbnail.
Download or press-and-hold
Tap Download on the size you want. If nothing saves, press and hold the thumbnail image instead.
Save to Photos
In the menu that appears, choose Save to Photos (or Add to Photos). The full-resolution image is now in your camera roll.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't the thumbnail download on my iPhone?
Safari sometimes blocks automatic cross-site image downloads. Press and hold the thumbnail and choose Save to Photos instead.
Do I need an app to save YouTube thumbnails on iPhone?
No. This works entirely in the Safari browser with no app to install.
Where does the saved image go?
Into your Photos app (camera roll), or the Files app if you chose to save it there.