This guide documents the complete process for downloading YouTube membership-restricted videos using AWS EC2, Docker containers, yt-dlp, and various anti-bot bypass techniques. This method is necessary because YouTube membership videos have strict protections including geo-restrictions, bot detection, SABR streaming protocol enforcement, and JavaScript challenges.
YouTube Membership Video Download Guide
Overview
This guide documents the complete process for downloading YouTube membership-restricted videos using AWS EC2, Docker containers, yt-dlp, and various anti-bot bypass techniques. This method is necessary because YouTube membership videos have strict protections including geo-restrictions, bot detection, SABR streaming protocol enforcement, and JavaScript challenges.
Success Requirements:
- EC2 instance in a region where the video is available (Hong Kong worked for Chinese content)
- Fresh browser cookies from authenticated YouTube session
- PO (Proof of Origin) token generation via bgutil