YouTube is the largest video streaming service in the world offered by Google. However, the iPhone iOS app is somewhat traditional that Google downplay the features. For example, many video apps allow you to swipe left or right to backward / forward the play. Unfortunately, you can’t do that in YouTube app. If you are using the app on your iPhone every day, here are some YouTube tricks to watch videos without hassle.
YouTube iPhone App Settings
There are two types of tricks you can do with YouTube iOS app. One is at the app level settings and other is at video level settings.
App Level Setting
When you are in YouTube app, tap on the profile icon that is available on the bottom right corner. Now, tap on gear “Settings” icon showing on top right corner.
Here you will have many options that you can configure as per your need.
Video Level Settings
When you are playing a video, tap on the video and then tap on the gear settings icon. On Shorts, tap on three vertical dots icon (however, only limited options will be there for Shorts).
1. Setup Custom Break
iPhone has Screen Time option to monitor and control your time on phone. Watching videos for long time will strain your eyes and create health problems. In order to avoid sitting in front of YouTube app endless, you can setup custom breaks. This will help you to change the focus of your eyes and take sufficient break from watching videos. Go to app “Settings > General” section and enable the option “Remind me to take a break”.
On the pop-up, setup your break time frequency of every 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 1 hour. Otherwise, tap on the “Customize” option and set a custom timer for taking a break.
After the set time, YouTube app will prompt with you a pop-up to take a break.
Similar to break, you can also setup bedtime to avoid watching videos during sleeping time.
2. Change to Darm Mode
Earlier, YouTube app did not follow the dark or light mode setting from your iPhone. However, this has Benn changed in the latest version and you can change the theme to dark or light or to use device setting by going to “Settings > General > Appearance” section and selecting the required option. Dark mode will help you to reduce the strain on eyes especially during nighttime or when you are in the bright environment.
3. Delete and Disable History
YouTube will show recommended video feed based on the history of videos you watch. If you do not want to keep the history, go to app “Settings > History & privacy” section and tap on “Clear watch history” and “Clear search history” options. In addition, you can also disable watch/search history by enabling “Pause watch history” and “Pause search history” options.
This works for the logged out users only. If you are logged in to the app, history is stored in your Google account. Learn more on how to delete history from your Google account.
4. Setup Siri Shortcuts
Go to app “Settings > General” and tap on “Siri Shortcuts” option. Here you can view find all recommended Siri shortcuts created based on your usage. Tap on the “Edit” link against “Search YouTube with voice” option to change phrase to search YouTube.
If you do not see any suggestions, open iPhone Settings app and go to “Apps > YouTube > Siri” section. Turn on “Learn from this App” option and wait for sometime for Siri to learn how you use the app and suggest shortcuts.
5. Restricted Mode
Sometimes it will be annoying to see adult content in video feed without your knowledge and permission. Similar to Google search results, you can also restrict YouTube feed and search results from showing adult and mature content. Go to app “Settings > General” and enable “Restricted Mode” option. This will be useful if you are sharing iPhone with your family members who also watch videos in YouTube app.
6. Disable Inappropriate Ads
If you frequently see a particular ad below the video that is inappropriate, YouTube allows you to report and block that ad.
- Tap on the three dots button that shows just below the image of the ad.
- Choose “Stop seeing this ad” option.
- Tap on “Repetitive” or “Irrelevant” or “Inappropriate” to block the ad.
Remember, this will only disable the specific ad from showing. YouTube will continue to show other advertisements below the video. If you want to have ads free experience, then go for YouTube Premium.
7. Forward and Rewind
As mentioned, YouTube does not offer swipe feature to drag the time bar. It is embarrassing to move the time bar to forward or rewind the video you are watching. However, you can double tap on the right side of the video to move 10 seconds forward and double tap on the left side of the video to rewind 10 seconds. By default, the app will move 10 seconds forward or back. If you want to change the time, go to “Settings > Playback” and tap on “Skip forward and back” option. You can choose 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 or 60 seconds. However, it is not possible to setup a custom time for forward and rewind.
From this settings page, you can also disable autoplaying videos and playback in feeds.
Note: You can also long press and move right or left or forward or rewind the video.
8. Change Video Quality
By default, YouTube will automatically adjust the video quality to 360p or 720p depending upon your network and internet connection speed. You can change the video quality for a single video or all videos.
- For Single Video – Tap on the video setting and tap again on “Quality” option and go to “Advanced” section. Here you can change the video quality to higher or lower level as per your need.
- For All Videos – Go to app “Settings > Video quality preferences” section. Tap “On mobile networks” or “On Wi-Fi” option and select your preferred option. Here, you can only choose auto, higher picture quality or data saver option and it is not possible to set a custom quality like 720p.
9. Watch Video in Slow Motion
Sometimes the video may play very fast that you can’t follow the step-by-step instructions. Instead of moving the time bar or rewinding by double tapping left of the video, you can play the video in slow motion mode. Tap on the gear icon on the video and choose “Playback speed” option. Tap 0.25 button for slow motion and 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 or 2 for fast playing. Alternatively, use the slider or the plus / minus icons at the end of slider to adjust the video speed. You can anytime tap on the 1.0 (Normal) button to return to normal speed.
10. Ads Free Videos
If you need to use YouTube for many hours a day, the best option is to upgrade to premium version for $13.99 per month with one month free trial. It will allow you to remove the ads, try experimental features, download videos and play the videos in playback mode even when you minimize the app. In addition, you can also download YouTube Music app and listen without disturbances.
Final Words
We hope you learned at least one new setting in your YouTube iOS app. We recommend you to setup break time and use dark theme if you are using YouTube app for many hours in iPhone. Also, next time when want to move forward or rewind use double tap or slow/fast motion.
