Google Launches Native YouTube App for iPhone

As promised, Google has introduced a native YouTube app for iPhone. We had previously reported that Apple will be removing the dedicated YouTube app from iOS 6 which is due to be released in the near future. At the time, Google promised that a native iOS app was in the works. YouTube had previously been one of the built-in iOS apps since the original iPhone launch.

The app just appeared in the App Store as a free download:

youtube ios2
The YouTube blog outlines some of the new features:

- Tens of thousands more videos: Watch official music videos like Taylor’s latest hit.
- New YouTube channel guide: Swipe your finger from the left edge of the screen to reveal a guide with your subscribed channels on YouTube, giving you instant access to everything from Alli Sports to YOMYOMF.
- Find awesome videos faster: Get to videos like “Gangnam Style” faster with new search tools that give suggestions while you type, and let you sort through videos or channels. Flip through related videos, comments and more info, all while watching a video.
- More ways to share with the people you love: Share that incredible video you found on YouTube on Google+, Facebook or text message in the app, as well as from Twitter and email.

The app does not yet natively support the iPad, but the NY Times reports that a native iPad app is in the works.

In order to provide mobile users with the "tens of thousands" of new videos, the app now supports display of ads with videos. Previously, these videos were unavailable on iOS due to the previous lack of support for ads.

For the first time in a native iOS experience, YouTube will show pre-roll adds ahead of its mobile videos. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that with more monetization comes more content. Thanks to mobile ad capabilities baked into its own app, YouTube will unlock tens of thousands of music videos from VEVO and others that were not viewable on the old app.

YouTube is now available as a free download. [App Store]

Top Rated Comments

Cod3rror Avatar
152 months ago
That is awesome!

This is the brilliance of modulated apps, Apple did the right thing removing the native app, let Google manage it and let it be independent of the OS, more apps should be like that(Newsstand for example)

This app is MUCH better than the Apple's YouTube app...

I like the UI.

I really like how you can play videos in portrait straight from the page, like you can in the Android app, I wish it had a scrubbing feature though when seeking video.

Also you can finally copy video link to clipboard. Without having to use the "send email" workaround.

Hopefully they release standalone Google Maps soon too.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThE.MeSsEnGeR Avatar
152 months ago
Finally!

I just downloaded it... and it's amazing! fast, sleek, and very polished.
I can't wait for google to release their own Maps App, just for the sake of everyone shutting up.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iBreatheApple Avatar
152 months ago
Very nice, indeed! I was skeptical at first but am now extremely happy that development is in the hands of Google. And we can share directly via SMS now!
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WeegieMac Avatar
152 months ago
It's not a universal binary. LAME! Runs as iPhone size on my iPad :(

If you'd read the story you'd know that it's iPhone only at present and Google are working on the iPad native version.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
haruhiko Avatar
152 months ago
I just need Google Maps app for iPhone/iPad before upgrading to iOS 6 next week :(
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SoldOutMatinee Avatar
152 months ago
praise the lord!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS 18 Siri Integrated Feature

iOS 18 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Friday April 12, 2024 11:11 am PDT by
iOS 18 is expected to be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more...