How to deal with Youtube asking to sign in for age restricted?

[abrogard]

I wish to download this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMUcrtBGX5w

and I get this:

PS C:\ytdlp> .\yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMUcrtBGX5w"
[youtube] Extracting URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMUcrtBGX5w
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading webpage
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading ios player API JSON
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading tv embedded player API JSON
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading android player API JSON
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading web embedded client config
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading player a62d836d
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading web embedded player API JSON
ERROR: [youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Sign in to confirm your age. This video may be inappropriate for some users.
PS C:\ytdlp>

is it necessary to sign in to youtube? i don't know if I could even do it. not sure if i have any sort of account there....

[CrymanChen]

Use cookies from browsers.
For example:

--cookies-from-browser firefox

[abrogard]

It worked. Is working now. Thank you very much It's bloody wonderful this ytdlp isn't it... bloody marvellous....

[whs912km]

Use cookies from browsers.
For example:

--cookies-from-browser firefox

in the past i've used an extension to do this, but browser cookies with yt-dlp are the easiest way!
but if i don't have a browser installed on my system, but a portable version how can load my cookies?
Cookies file is stored on \Data\Default\Network

[abacaxi]

how is it possible to get this one video, yt-dlp doesn't work even with this -cookies...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdI6dQRuoig

i would like to get it in 720p

[Lupine Assassin]

how is it possible to get this one video, yt-dlp doesn't work even with this -cookies...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdI6dQRuoig

i would like to get it in 720p

https://sendgb.com/ImZF8lUJQHy
Link expires March 4, 2025.

[abacaxi]

how is it possible to get this one video, yt-dlp doesn't work even with this -cookies...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdI6dQRuoig

i would like to get it in 720p

https://sendgb.com/ImZF8lUJQHy
Link expires March 4, 2025.

thanks a lot lupine

[Lupine Assassin]

I wish to download this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMUcrtBGX5w

and I get this:

PS C:\ytdlp> .\yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMUcrtBGX5w"
[youtube] Extracting URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMUcrtBGX5w
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading webpage
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading ios player API JSON
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading tv embedded player API JSON
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading android player API JSON
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading web embedded client config
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading player a62d836d
[youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Downloading web embedded player API JSON
ERROR: [youtube] pMUcrtBGX5w: Sign in to confirm your age. This video may be inappropriate for some users.
PS C:\ytdlp>

is it necessary to sign in to youtube? i don't know if I could even do it. not sure if i have any sort of account there....

https://sendgb.com/M79zDsj41R6
Link expires March 5, 2025.

[ridibunda]

Use cookies from browsers.
For example:

--cookies-from-browser firefox

It doesn't work.

It says "unable to copy cookies".

[Obo]

There is no such error message within the yt-dlp code. Show complete verbose output of your yt-dlp command (i.e. something like

yt-dlp -v --cookies-from-browser firefox https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxx

), if you want help.

[cholla]

My problem is I only use portable browsers.
I mainly use Firefox portable.
So when I use either of these codes:

yt-dlp -f bv* --cookies-from-browser firefox "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmKS9WCTuZg&t=4492s"

yt-dlp -f bestvideo+bestaudio  --cookies-from-browser firefox "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmKS9WCTuZg&t=4492s"

I get this error:

ERROR: [youtube] JmKS9WCTuZg: Sign in to confirm your age. The video you have requested has been rated R and may contain content intended for mature audiences.

If I substitute mozilla for firefox I get this message:

yt-dlp: error: unsupported browser specified for cookies: "mozilla". Supported browsers are: brave, chrome, chromium, edge, firefox, opera, safari, vivaldi, whale

I believe the problem is yt-dlp does not know where to locate the cookies in Firefox Portable.
Is there a way to get yt-dlp with a portable browser?

Most of the time yt-dlp works fine on unrestricted videos.
With those there is no need to add the " --cookies-from-browser firefox" .

[loadtheCD]

My problem is I only use portable browsers.
I mainly use Firefox portable.
So when I use either of these codes:

yt-dlp -f bv* --cookies-from-browser firefox "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmKS9WCTuZg&t=4492s"

yt-dlp -f bestvideo+bestaudio  --cookies-from-browser firefox "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmKS9WCTuZg&t=4492s"

I get this error:

ERROR: [youtube] JmKS9WCTuZg: Sign in to confirm your age. The video you have requested has been rated R and may contain content intended for mature audiences.

If I substitute mozilla for firefox I get this message:

yt-dlp: error: unsupported browser specified for cookies: "mozilla". Supported browsers are: brave, chrome, chromium, edge, firefox, opera, safari, vivaldi, whale

I believe the problem is yt-dlp does not know where to locate the cookies in Firefox Portable.
Is there a way to get yt-dlp with a portable browser?

Most of the time yt-dlp works fine on unrestricted videos.
With those there is no need to add the " --cookies-from-browser firefox" .

Normally, yt-dlp uses the --cookies-from-browser option when a supported browser is installed. Since that's not the case here, you'll need to export your cookies manually using a browser extension.

Export your cookies in Netscape format and then run:

yt-dlp --cookies cookies.txt "VIDEO_URL"

This allows yt-dlp to use your saved login session to access and download the video.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/cookies-txt/

If you encounter any further issues, I recommend trying Perplexity.ai or ChatGPT for additional help.

[Obo]

From one of the issues of the yt-dlp repo at github:

You'll need to follow some extra steps to for firefox forks:

Visit about:profiles in the firefox fork
Copy the "Root Directory"
When you want to use cookies from that browser, you'll need to use --cookies-from-browser "firefox:path" (eg --cookies-from-browser "firefox:C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla \Firefox\Profiles\12345678.default-release")

[cholla]

@ loadtheCD,
Where should the "cookies.txt" be located ?
I tried this:Found using Perplexity.ai

yt-dlp --cookies /path/to/cookies.txt "https://www.example.com/video"

I added my locations in this. C:\Users\USERS\Desktop\Vedit\yt-dlp\cookies.txt
This still did not work.

@ Obo,
The directory in you example was already is the :C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla \Firefox\Profiles\12345678.default-release".
Unless I need to copy the root directory from C:\FirefoxPortable to the above location.
The directory in AppData has the 12345678.default-release.
The directory in C:\FirefoxPortable does not.

I was able to find this video on another site & downloaded it with no problem.

I tried all the suggestions but none worked.
I'm certain I put the paths to the recommended directories correct.
I would still like to fine a way to do this as I'm certain I will run into an age restricted video again.
It was just an R rated movie.It has been a long time since I watched it & I do not believe there is any nudity in it.
So it is other content that gets the R rating.

[loadtheCD]

@ loadtheCD,
Where should the "cookies.txt" be located ?
I tried this:Found using Perplexity.ai

yt-dlp --cookies /path/to/cookies.txt "https://www.example.com/video"

I added my locations in this. C:\Users\USERS\Desktop\Vedit\yt-dlp\cookies.txt
This still did not work.

@ Obo,
The directory in you example was already is the :C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla \Firefox\Profiles\12345678.default-release".
Unless I need to copy the root directory from C:\FirefoxPortable to the above location.
The directory in AppData has the 12345678.default-release.
The directory in C:\FirefoxPortable does not.

I was able to find this video on another site & downloaded it with no problem.

I tried all the suggestions but none worked.
I'm certain I put the paths to the recommended directories correct.
I would still like to fine a way to do this as I'm certain I will run into an age restricted video again.
It was just an R rated movie.It has been a long time since I watched it & I do not believe there is any nudity in it.
So it is other content that gets the R rating.

My question to you is: were you able to successfully export your cookies from YouTube in Netscape format to a cookies.txt file?

If so, simply navigate (cd) to the directory where you saved the cookies.txt file and run the following command:

yt-dlp --cookies cookies.txt "VIDEO_URL"

Passing the cookies file will bypass the "Sign in to confirm your age" prompt.

If you're still running into issues or unable to figure it out, consider performing a full browser installation and using the --cookies-from-browser firefox option once the browser is installed.

If you continue to have problems, please be more specific about what you're experiencing. Providing screenshots is extremely helpful.

[cholla]

My question to you is: were you able to successfully export your cookies from YouTube in Netscape format to a cookies.txt file?

Yes

If so, simply navigate (cd) to the directory where you saved the cookies.txt file and run the following command:

yt-dlp --cookies cookies.txt "VIDEO_URL"

I did this above.

Passing the cookies file will bypass the "Sign in to confirm your age" prompt.

It has not so far.

If you're still running into issues or unable to figure it out, consider performing a full browser installation and using the --cookies-from-browser firefox option once the browser is installed.

I do not want a full browser installation, If I did I would have one.

If you continue to have problems, please be more specific about what you're experiencing. Providing screenshots is extremely helpful.

Here is a screenshot. If you want a different one please tell me what you want & I will try to post it.
IThe screenshot also has other suggestions I have tried for doing this.

[Attachment 87110 - Click to enlarge]

[pram0dm]

First, sign in to YouTube and export the cookies from that tab using the Mozilla extension in Netscape format. Then, direct the program to this cookies.txt file and attempt to run your command.

Did you do it this way, or tried something else?

[cholla]

@ pram0dm,
I believe I have tried every way suggested.
I do get a different Error from the yt-dlp command when logged into YouTube with the movie up.

This content can't be played on your mobile browser

I believe that means the problem is Firefox Portable but it does the same with Opera Portable.
The thing is I can play this movie in my browser with no problem.
I just cannot download it.
This is the relevant part in command:

[Attachment 87116 - Click to enlarge]

This is what a non age restricted video has & it downloads with no problem.
I usually do not need to use the "cookies" method for non age restricted movies but I did this time for the test.


[Attachment 87118 - Click to enlarge]

[pram0dm]

Check if including the following in your yt-dlp command resolves the issue.

--user-agent "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/136.0.0.0 Safari/537.36"

[G.T.X.R]

If you have no luck, try this free online service that bypasses age restrictions, then search for the best quality available and remux separate audio and video with ffmpeg.

[cholla]

Check if including the following in your yt-dlp command resolves the issue.

--user-agent "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/136.0.0.0 Safari/537.36"

This did not work either. I hope I put the code in the correct location of the code.
I did check for & use the user-agent for my PC & browser.
I believe this should be correct instead of using the user-agent posted by pram0dm.
My user-agent is:

--user-agent Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:109.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/115.0

If you have no luck, try this free online service that bypasses age restrictions, then search for the best quality available and remux separate audio and video with ffmpeg.

This site did not work for me.Thanks for trying.
The URL without me logged into YouTube got this message:

Something went Wrong.Please try again.

The URL me logged into YouTube got this message:

The uploader has not made this video available in your country.

[pram0dm]

You'll definitely need those cookies to download this age-restricted video. It works for me after I extract and use the cookies from a complete browser installation.
At this stage, since the forum is running out of ideas, I suggest you to install a full browser and call it a day.

You could also raise it as an issue over at yt-dlp's GitHub page and see if you can garner any responses.

[davexnet]

There is a Firefox extension called "cookies.txt". It's purpose is to
save the cookies related to the open tab as a text file.
This text file can be referenced in yt-dlp using --cookies
For example:
--cookies c:\ytcookies.txt

[cholla]

There is a Firefox extension called "cookies.txt". It's purpose is to
save the cookies related to the open tab as a text file.
This text file can be referenced in yt-dlp using --cookies
For example:
--cookies c:\ytcookies.txt

The firefox add on was already suggested in post #12 by loadtheCD.
I installed in in my firefox browser.
That is how I got the cookies.txt I used,
I put it in the yt-dlp folder.

This Error pretty much says it:
This is in one of the command images I posted.

ERROR: [youtube] JmKSSWCTuZo: This content can't be played on your mobile browser. Get the YouTube app to start watching.

Funny my Firefox Portable browser plays it fine.
It sure will not download it.

If another movie comes up that is restricted I will give it another try.
I was able to get a good copy from another website.

[davexnet]

There is a Firefox extension called "cookies.txt". It's purpose is to
save the cookies related to the open tab as a text file.
This text file can be referenced in yt-dlp using --cookies
For example:
--cookies c:\ytcookies.txt

The firefox add on was already suggested in post #12 by loadtheCD.
I installed in in my firefox browser.
That is how I got the cookies.txt I used,
I put it in the yt-dlp folder.

This Error pretty much says it:
This is in one of the command images I posted.

ERROR: [youtube] JmKSSWCTuZo: This content can't be played on your mobile browser. Get the YouTube app to start watching.

Funny my Firefox Portable browser plays it fine.
It sure will not download it.

If another movie comes up that is restricted I will give it another try.
I was able to get a good copy from another website.

Are you running a portable Firefox on your PC? Possibly it behaves differently. Install the regular version to test.
I downloaded the video wthout any issues.
The path can be specified, eg. if cookies.txt is on your desktop, you can specify
--cookies c:\users\your_userid\desktop\cookies.txt

[cholla]

Are you running a portable Firefox on your PC? Possibly it behaves differently. Install the regular version to test.

I only run portable browsers on my PS.
I have done this for many years.
I keep a spare of each portable on a different partition.
If something gets corrupted or I otherwise want to completely eliminate the portable .
I delete it & everything about it is gone.
Then I just replace copy the spare to my C: drive.

The only browser I have installed is Internet Explorer & it con not be completely remover from Windows.
At least without serious problems.
I know because I tried with previous Windows versions.
So I disable it.

This means I am not going to install a regular version even for a test.

I downloaded the video without any issues.

I believe that you & others have been able to download an age restricted movie.Including this one.
With some of the methods posted.

The path can be specified, eg. if cookies.txt is on your desktop, you can specify
--cookies c:\users\your_userid\desktop\cookies.txt[/QUOTE]

This is the code I used Mainly but I did try all the suggested variations:

cd  C:\Users\users\Desktop\Vedit\yt-dlp
yt-dlp  -f bv*+ba* --cookies cookies.txt C:/Users/users/Desktop/Vedit/yt-dlp/cookies.txt "https://youtu.be/JmKS9WCTuZg?t=10"

Like adding this:

--user-agent Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; rv:109.0) Gecko/20100101

Or these:

yt-dlp -f bv*+ba* --cookies-from-browser firefox:C:\Users\users\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\llzydrdl.default-release "https://youtu.be/JmKS9WCTuZg?t=10"

yt-dlp -f bv*+ba* --cookies-from-browser firefox "https://youtu.be/JmKS9WCTuZg?t=10"

yt-dlp -f bv*+ba* --cookies-from-browser \firefox:C:\FirefoxPortable\Data\profile "https://youtu.be/JmKS9WCTuZg?t=10"

NONE WORKED.
My conclusion is yt-dlp can not download an age restricted with Firefox Portable or Opera Portable.

[Obo]

See #10: show verbose output of your command.

Preferably both: with exported cookies file and cookies-from-browser option.

[pram0dm]

Also, modify your first command as below and retry. Ensure that the cookies.txt file exists in the same location.

cd C:\Users\users\Desktop\Vedit\yt-dlp
yt-dlp -f bv*+ba* --cookies cookies.txt "https://youtu.be/JmKS9WCTuZg?t=10"

[cholla]

See #10: show verbose output of your command.
Preferably both: with exported cookies file and cookies-from-browser option.

I believe these are what you asked for.
I copied them from the Command window & pasted the information into Notepad.
I believe these will be easier to read than a screenshot.

I'm also posting the cookies.txt.
This is the one the Firefox add on generates.
I selected "Current Container" .

[Obo]

You should delete the cookies file, it contains sensitive data (I've never asked you to upload it anyway).

You are using a quite outdated version of yt-dlp, and not using the latest version of yt-dlp might be one of the reasons you fail to download (seeing all the changes YT made in half a year...)
That might as well be the reason why the log contains these messages: "WARNING: [youtube] YouTube said: ERROR - Request contains an invalid argument."

The lines

Extracting cookies from firefox
[debug] Extracting cookies from: "C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\wyuf8etg.default-esr\cookies.sqlite"
Extracted 0 cookies from firefox

suggest that this is not the profile you are using with your Firefox application. (See #13 or ask ChatGPT on how to use yt-dlp with portable firefox.)