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
159 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
159 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
159 months ago
No HD on 3G.......
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xdhd350 Avatar
159 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
159 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
159 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

Apple Logo Spotlight

Report: Apple to Launch These New Products in 2026

Sunday November 2, 2025 5:34 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch at least 15 new products in 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman outlined what to expect from Apple in 2026 in the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter. He said the company is heading "into one of its most pivotal years in recent memory," with the rollout of major new Apple Intelligence features, intense regulatory pressure on the App Store,...
ios 26 1 slide to stop

iOS 26.1 Brings Back 2007 Feature in New Way

Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important. Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped. The new ...
Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

New Version of Siri to 'Lean' on Google Gemini

Sunday November 2, 2025 6:06 am PST by
In his "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today provided an update on the status of Apple Intelligence and the plans for it in 2026. Apple is still planning to roll out its revamped version of Siri around March of next year. The release should be accompanied by the release of a new smart home display product with speaker-base and wall-mount options. A new Apple TV and HomePod...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Likely Launching Soon

Sunday November 2, 2025 5:49 am PST by
A new Apple TV and HomePod mini could launch as soon as this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple retail stores are planning an overnight refresh on the evening of November 11, where changes will be made after closing, such as refreshing displays and placing new products for the following day. The timing of the overnight...
Apple Foldable Thumb

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Friday October 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far. Ove...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.1 With Liquid Glass Toggle, Slide to Stop Alarm, New Apple Intelligence Languages and More

Monday November 3, 2025 1:11 pm PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.1, the first major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.1 comes over a month after iOS 26 launched. ‌iOS 26‌.1 is compatible with the ‌iPhone‌ 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General >...
M5 MacBook Pro

Waiting for New Macs? Apple Just Shared Bad News

Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year. Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
iOS 26

6 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.1

Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below. Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
Early Black Friday Deals 2

The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals

Sunday November 2, 2025 10:04 am PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...