YouTube Members-only videos are reserved for paid subscribers. But is there a way to watch them for free—and legally?

What You’ll Learn in This Article:

• Legal Workarounds: Learn about legitimate methods like free membership trials and creator giveaways that offer temporary access to Members-only content.
• Risky & Unreliable Methods: Understand how common internet tricks (e.g., “Inspect Element,” VPNs) actually work—and why they’re not recommended.
• Bonus Tip: If you're simply looking to watch regular YouTube videos offline, we’ll also introduce a safe, efficient tool to help you save content for later viewing on your device.

Part 1: What are "Members-only Videos" on YouTube?

Launched in 2018, YouTube Channel Memberships allow creators to offer exclusive content — such as members-only videos — to fans who pay a monthly fee. These videos appear with a lock icon, meaning they’re only visible to active channel members.

Part 2: Can you watch YouTube Members-Only Videos for Free?

Yes, but only under certain conditions. YouTube does not offer free access by default, and bypassing its paywall violates its Terms of Service. That said, there are legal and safe methods to access select content without paying.

Part 3: Legal Ways to Access Members-Only Videos

While Members-only videos are typically locked behind a paywall, YouTube does offer a few official and legal methods to access them—at least temporarily. These options don’t violate YouTube’s Terms of Service and can give you a taste of exclusive content without immediate cost. Let’s explore the most reliable legal way first: using a YouTube membership free trial.

Method 1: Use a YouTube Membership Free Trial

Some YouTube channels offer a free trial membership, typically lasting from 1 to 7 days. 

Step 1: Go to the creator's YouTube channel and click the Join button.

Step 2: If a free trial is available, you’ll see it before confirming payment.

Step 3: Enter your payment info (you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends).

Enjoy your free viewing period.

Pros:

• This method is 100% legal.
• Members get full access to content during the trial period.

Cons:

• Not all channels offer free trials.
• Requires canceling manually to avoid charges

Method 2: Check for Public Reuploads

Here is an unofficial method that works only for some members. It allows viewers to watch content reposted by others.

Step 1: Search Google/YouTube for

• Channel Name + Members Only Video Title
• Channel Name + Members Archive

Step 2: Look for reuploads. You can often find them on Dailymotion, Vimeo, or shady sites.

Warning – Reuploads might be of low quality. They could be incomplete videos. Some might even be taken down.

Method 2: Get Access via a Friend (With Consent)

If someone you know already has a membership, you can ask to watch with them.

Options include:

• Watching together on their device
• Logging into their account with permission

Caution: Never share or request login details without trust and consent.

Method 4: Try Archive Sites (Risky and Unreliable)

Here is a method that can be unreliable. It works for archived versions of deleted/members-only videos:

Step 1: Try Archive.org (Wayback Machine) or Rentry.co/membersvids. Please note that it is a community-driven website and may be outdated.

Step 2: Search the video URL or channel name.

Warning: This method rarely works for new videos. Besides, some archives can be incomplete.

Method 5. Look for Creator Giveaways

Occasionally, creators offer gift memberships or temporary access via:

• YouTube’s Community tab
• Discord or Patreon pages
• YouTube Live streams

Be sure to follow your favorite creators for such perks.

Methods You Should Avoid

While you may find tips online promising free access, these are unsafe or ineffective:

• Inspect Element or Developer Tools: These don’t unlock video content.
• VPN or Proxy Tricks: Memberships are account-based, not region-based.
• Free Membership Generators: These are scams and often install malware.

Part 4: Want to Record YouTube Videos to Watch Offline?

While members-only videos can't be legally downloaded without proper access, public YouTube videos can be saved for offline use with the help of desktop tools. Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video Downloader—StreamFox for Video is one such reliable option that works across Windows and macOS. It supports top platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and more, and allows users to customize video quality, add subtitles, and enjoy faster records. Whether you're traveling or want to back up your favorite content, StreamFox offers a smooth and flexible way to keep videos accessible offline.

Step-by-step Process

The Preliminary Steps:

Step 1: Open the StreamFox for Video and choose YouTube

Step 2: Sign into your YouTube account (optional for full access). Search or paste the video link

Step 3: Click the + button to add it to the queue. If you want to download multiple videos, select them and add them to the queue.

Step 4: Select your preferred video resolution depending on your device's storage. The higher the resolution, the more the space required. By default, StreamFox offers 1080p. However, you can change it manually.

Step 5: From the dropdown menu, select your preferred video output format. The options available are MP4, MKV, and MOV. Click Convert to start downloading YouTube audio and videos.

Step 6: The downloaded videos are saved in the Finished section. Open the video by clicking the “View Output File” option.

Part 5: Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. Is there a 100% free way to watch Members-Only videos?

Only if the creator offers a free trial or gift membership. Otherwise, membership is required.

Q2. How can you download YouTube membership videos for free?

YouTube does not allow free users to download videos. However, third-party tools like StreamFox allow you to download YouTube membership videos for free.

Q3. How do you join Members-Only content on YouTube?

You must purchase a channel membership (paid monthly) account. Here’s the step-by-step process.

Method 1: Join via YouTube

Step 1: Access the channel that offers memberships. Look for the “Join” button.

Step 2: Click “Join.” Choose a tier.

Step 3: Enter your payment information.

Step 4: Confirm your membership.

Method 2: Accept free gift membership.

Some creators give free trials. You can check “Community Tab” or “Discord” for giveaways.

Method 3: Use YouTube Premium Perks (A Rare Option)

A few creators offer exclusive perks for Premium users. You can check under “Benefits” in the channel’s membership section.

Conclusion

Members-only videos are a great way for creators to reward supporters. While full access requires payment, free trials and giveaways may offer temporary access. For offline viewing of public YouTube videos, tools like StreamFox offer a legal and reliable solution. Always respect creators' rights — support their work if you enjoy their content.