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I'm using linux mint without problems except the yt-dlp app in the package manager repository is old and doesn't work when I use it. The yt-dlp devs said I need a newer version and to install it myself, except I can't find a straight answer as to how to do that.

I tried using pip and tried apt but neither works because the path is all wrong.

The linux mint forum website is a nightmare for newbs.

Thanks

I'm using linux mint without problems except the yt-dlp app in the package manager repository is old and doesn't work when I use it. The yt-dlp devs said I need a newer version and to install it myself, except I can't find a straight answer as to how to do that. I tried using pip and tried apt but neither works because the path is all wrong. The linux mint forum website is a nightmare for newbs. Thanks

(post is archived)

[–] • 3 pts (edited )

Mint is based on Ubuntu, so I tried to install it like that in Ubuntu. If some step fails tell us what the output in the terminal is.

Honestly installation instructions often suck and assume you know basics such as that every binary must have execute permissions with added with chmod +x. Anyway this is how you do it, hopefully it is identical on Mint:

Check if you have python installed run this in terminal (python is required):

python3 --version

Download the binary:

https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp

Check if the yt-dlp is now in your Downloads folder:

ls -la ~/Downloads

Copy yt-dlp into /usr/local/bin folder. This is the location where one usually places binaries that one want to be available on the terminal globally so to speak. sudo is needed to make changes at that path:

sudo cp ~/Downloads/yt-dlp /usr/local/bin

Verify that yt-dlp is there:

sudo ls -la /usr/local/bin

Add executable permission to yt-dlp otherwise you will not be able to execute it:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp

Now it should work, to test run:

yt-dlp

[–] • 1 pt

Oh, and ffmpeg seems to be good to have too to get higher resolution of the downloaded video (yt-dlp might complain otherwise):

sudo apt install ffmpeg

[–] • 1 pt

Thanks, I did use pip and it worked. Thanks for this tutorial I'll archive this and use it as I learn.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

@JeffersonHairpie This is the correct/best suggestion so far. I was about to go write up basically the same thing.

Also @quit_google this would actually work on almost any of the "mainstream" distros. Nothing distro specific in here at all.

[–] • 1 pt

I use their Pip install instructions (github.com).

With those you can update it by re‐running the package install command.

python3 -m pip install -U "yt-dlp[default]"

You could put that in a cron job to make sure your version is up to date.

You could automate re‐downloading the latest release binary, but it would waste bandwidth unless you found a way to check the new release’s version.

[–] • 2 pts

If your on mint, by chance, have you checked if anyone maintains a PPA that keeps a newer version?

[–] • 2 pts

First, uninstall whatever yt-dlp package you have installed (apt, or snap etc). Download the source code and follow the instructions to compile & install it. Usually found in either "README" or "INSTALL".

[–] • 2 pts (edited )

So package installers, just extract various files to locations and create links. Most packages are an archive. You can usually use an archive program to access them. File roller, 7zip, archive manager, whatever its called on Mint these days.

You just need to figure out the proper locations for all of the files and links that should be made.

Yeah that sounds over the top right this second. But the reality is if you manage to place the files in the right locations, and create the correct links (sym or hard depending on the app) the app will function.

One way to accomplish this is to install the too old package, find all the files pull down the new dev package (use this new package to make sure you have all the files found - if anything new, you'll have to figure out where that file goes), and then compare and replace files as needed from the new dev package.

[–] • 1 pt

Sounds a bit complicated but it's the sort of thing I like to do and learn from. Thanks!

[–] • 2 pts

I wish I could help you, I too run Mint.

Every time I try to do anything at all it is just a stumble fest of fiddle fucking around to try to get it done.

[–] • 2 pts

That's the true Linux experience.

[–] • 2 pts

i forget the exact command sudo apt-get? anyways just use software repositories and the command line.

[–] • 2 pts

What do you mean by the path is wrong? Your currently installed version of yt-dlp is not in the expected path?

If not, purge it using the package manager and clone the repository: https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/wiki/Installation

It's just a set of python programs, so you should be able to dump it somewhere your path command knows about and run it.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

A .deb package is just an archive with smarts. Extract into a temp dir. You'll get a control and data folder.

Unpack each into their own temp dirs.

In the data folder you find all the files that would be installed under the paths specified by the packager. All paths relative to /. You can manually copy them where they go or change as you see fit.

Study the scripts extracted in the control folder. These are maintainer scripts that specify what actions are performed 1) pre-install, 2) post- install, 3) pre-upgrade, and/or 4) post-remove. They usually set ownerships, permissions, or init directories.

Manually do 1 & 2 adjusted for whatever changes you manually make to the recommended install pathing.

Not rocket appliances, just some manual work, but the scripts are your guide.