YouTube for Android Archives

AppWizard

December 27, 2024

YouTube for Android testing ‘Play something’ FAB

YouTube has introduced a floating action button (FAB) labeled “Play something” in its mobile app, which leads users to content in the Shorts player and regular videos in a portrait interface. The layout includes buttons for liking, disliking, commenting, and sharing, with a timeline scrubber at the bottom. When the miniplayer is activated, the “Play something” button disappears. This feature has been tested since last year and is available in version 19.50 for Android devices.

AppWizard

October 8, 2024

YouTube for Android TV is rolling out a Netflix-like account switcher

Google is introducing a streamlined account switching feature in the YouTube app for Android TV, similar to that of Netflix, to simplify managing multiple accounts on shared devices. Over 270 million devices running Google TV and Android TV are actively engaged in video consumption. The previous method of switching accounts was cumbersome, requiring multiple steps and app reloads. The new update prompts users to select their account upon launching the app, enhancing convenience and addressing security concerns. Users now see a prompt asking, "Who's watching?" for quick access to personalized content. Early adopters have reported positive feedback regarding this update, which positions YouTube more competitively alongside platforms like Netflix and Prime Video.

AppWizard

September 18, 2024

YouTube for Android TV frustratingly fuses the ‘like’ and ‘dislike’ buttons

Google has updated the YouTube app for Android TV, introducing a new dual-purpose button that combines the 'like' and 'dislike' functionalities into a single interface. This change replaces the previous separate buttons and allows users to express their sentiments through a mini pop-up menu. The update has been rolled out across various Android TV and Chromecast with Google TV devices. The new button design features enhanced animations, but raises usability concerns as it complicates the feedback process for users accustomed to immediate options.

AppWizard

August 16, 2024

YouTube for Android testing a blurred bottom bar

YouTube is experimenting with a blurred bottom navigation bar on Android devices, featuring a compact design with text labels and simplified icons for key functions. The circular white outline around the plus button has been removed, and the design has transitioned from solid to translucent, allowing the background feed to show through. The navigation bar has increased in height to accommodate three buttons, enhancing visual impact. The blurred effect is less noticeable in the You tab with its dark background. This update follows a redesign of the miniplayer, and the rollout of the blurred bottom bar is still in early stages, not yet available on all devices.

AppWizard

July 25, 2024

YouTube Miniplayer on Android App Gets Redesign, Similar to Picture-in-Picture?

YouTube for Android is testing a redesigned miniplayer feature that now appears in a bigger video view with controls directly underneath it. The new miniplayer is similar to Picture-in-picture and users can resize it and place it in different areas of the screen by dragging it.

AppWizard

July 25, 2024

Google tests picture-in-picture mode for Android users watching videos in the YouTube app

YouTube for Android has updated to bring PiP mode instead of the minibar when minimizing a video. This update is currently being rolled out to some users with version 19.29.37 of the YouTube for Android app in the U.S. The update allows viewers to move and resize the miniplayer while watching a video.

AppWizard

July 1, 2024

YouTube May Soon Let Users Set Custom Thumbnails for Playlists

YouTube may soon allow users to upload custom thumbnails for playlists they create, giving them more control over the appearance of their playlists.

AppWizard

June 24, 2024

YouTube app for Android may be adding a sleep timer

YouTube for Android may be adding support for a sleep timer on mobile, as indicated by the latest app update. This feature would allow users to end playback after a certain period of time has passed, preventing videos from playing too long after someone has fallen asleep. The latest version of YouTube for Android includes new background work on sleep timer functionality, with strings to start, reset, and set the length of a sleep timer. This feature is already available on YouTube Music but has been missing in the video app. The exact availability of the sleep timer on YouTube for Android is currently unknown.