YouTubeYouTube has updated its iOS app with new support for continuous, touch-free playback of playlists as well as a new picture-in-picture mode that allows viewers to keep watching a video while still browsing through search results or the rest of the app.

More YouTube in your YouTube apps

With the swipe of a finger, you can watch a video at the bottom of your screen while you keep exploring. Think about it this way--you can watch a video about making the perfect fried chicken while searching for homemade salted caramel sauce recipes. You can always go back to full screen with a swipe up so you never lose your place, or swipe right or left to dismiss the video. Just try to not drop your phone in the sauce.

Play ALL the videos!!!

Want to sit back and watch all of Epic Rap Battles Season 2? You can now search and browse channels for playlists on mobile apps, and watch great collections of back-to-back videos. Finally, you and your friends can decide if Season 2 is better than Season 1.


The YouTube app also has a new logo. It's a free download for the iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

Cougarcat Avatar
163 months ago
No background audio sucks, but at least in iOS 7 youtube videos played in Safari can be played in the background now.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
John.B Avatar
163 months ago
But still no background audio? No ability to configure video quality based on connection speed or device video resolution? Fail.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Risco Avatar
163 months ago
No HD on 3G.......
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xdhd350 Avatar
163 months ago


<rant mode on>
Yup I got the new POS flat icon that plagues the rest of IOS7. Must be cheaper to use child labor for this new look.

And for the record, I have really loved IOS through the current version 6. I own a lot of company stock. I'm not just an all around Apple basher, just one who thinks they went the wrong way with the 'new flat look'. Hell, I had a really flat look on my ancient Atari 800 and subsequent PC systems because that's all they could do.

I want immersive UI elements that you can't take your eyes off of even when you want to.

<rant mode off>
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
befrank4444 Avatar
163 months ago
Why is everyone asking for background audio? Isn't that what Pandora, Spotify, or MP3 versions of your latest podcasts are for?

!!!!!!!

Suck a RIDICULOUS request to be crying over...YouTube is about VIDEO...why would they make the video play in the background...they want you to WATCH...
I get it, but it's not logical.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Prodo123 Avatar
163 months ago
!!!!!!!

Suck a RIDICULOUS request to be crying over...YouTube is about VIDEO...why would they make the video play in the background...they want you to WATCH...
I get it, but it's not logical.
Maybe you want to listen to an audio podcast on YouTube while jogging, or a specific song, audiobook or video. The moment you lock your phone the video stops. When you move to another app the video stops.

For example, you would not be "watching" this podcast. The main focus of it would be what they are talking about, not what they are doing in the video. Then why keep the screen on, waste battery and have to deal with accidental presses that may stop the video?



It's very logical for many of us. YouTube is more than video, it's multimedia.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
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...
maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
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 ...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
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...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
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...