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:
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]
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker.
Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...
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.
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.
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!
