How to Back Up a YouTube Playlist
YouTube playlists are vulnerable to video deletions, account issues, and platform changes. Backing up your playlists means you always have a record of what was in them — even after videos disappear. This guide covers your options from manual exports to automated sync tools.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Export using Google Takeout
Go to takeout.google.com and select 'YouTube and YouTube Music'. Choose to include 'Playlists' in the export. Google will email you a download link containing your playlist data as a JSON file. This is a point-in-time snapshot, not an ongoing backup.
Save a manual list of video URLs
Open the playlist on YouTube and copy all visible video links. Paste them into a spreadsheet. This works for small playlists but is impractical for anything over 20–30 videos.
Connect Wipelist for a living backup
Wipelist maintains a synchronized copy of your playlist data in its database, updated every time you sync. If a video disappears from YouTube, Wipelist retains the video ID and last-known metadata — giving you a record even after YouTube loses the original.
Review your backup after each sync
After each Wipelist sync, newly unavailable videos are flagged. Before removing them, note their IDs — these can help you find re-uploads of the same content on YouTube or other platforms.
Keep a living backup of all your playlists
Wipelist syncs your playlists automatically and retains metadata for unavailable videos — so you always have a record even after content disappears.
Try Wipelist Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Google Takeout include private playlists?
Yes. Google Takeout exports all your playlists including private and unlisted ones, as long as you are signed in to the correct Google account when you request the export.
Can I restore a deleted YouTube playlist?
YouTube does not offer playlist restoration. However, if you have a backup of the video IDs (from Wipelist or a Takeout export), you can create a new playlist and re-add the videos that are still available.
How long does Wipelist retain playlist backup data?
Wipelist retains synced playlist data as long as your account is active. If you disconnect a YouTube channel, the associated playlist data is removed from Wipelist's records.