How to Watch YouTube Videos on an iPhone

Last Updated: May 6, 2022

The YouTube application for the iPhone is a fast and easy way to access videos on YouTube without having to use your iPhone internet browser that is super slow. Follow these steps to access YouTube on your iPhone.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

via the Youtube for iPhone app

1
Download the YouTube app.
- Open the App Store and type "YouTube the app" into the search box.
- Find the YouTube app by Google, Inc and tap the "Install" button. Your application should start downloading immediately.
2
Launch the YouTube app after it has downloaded.
- Tap the "YouTube" icon from the main screen of your iPhone. Tapping this application directs you to YouTube's main page.
- Once you're on the main page of YouTube, find the "Search" button to get started. The "Search" button might look like a symbol of a magnifying glass on the top right of your screen. Click on this symbol to start your search.
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3
Start searching.
- Use your keypad to type in your desired search. This can be either specific or broad keywords to find any videos on YouTube's site.
- Press the "Search" button on the bottom right of your keypad. Your search results should appear immediately.
4
Select your favorite YouTube video.
- Now that you are on the "Search Results" page, highlight the icon labeled "Video" of a YouTube result that may work for your search query. To access the video, use your index finger to press down on the icon. This will display any accompanying information for the video.
- Begin the quick play options by tapping the "Play" icon for the selected video. After you have selected the video you want by tapping on it, it should begin playing.
5
Navigate through a video.
- Tap the screen while the video is playing. By touching the main video screen of the iPhone, you can access YouTube and iPhone video tools.
- Click the button with the four diagonal arrows on the bottom right of the video to make the video fullscreen.
- Tools, such as "Rewind" and "Fast Forward," allow you to watch the video at your own pace and appear near the "Play" symbol.
6
Personalizing your YouTube account. The iPhone also allows to you to create your own YouTube icons and video tool bar with the "Edit" tool. This feature is found by clicking on the "More" icon at the top of the phone.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

via Mobile Safari Browser

1
Open the Safari mobile browser and navigate to YouTube. Type in "www.youtube.com" into your search box.
- Select the first search result, which should be the YouTube website.
- Tap the magnifying glass on the upper right corner of the page to begin your search.
2
Search for a video you would like to watch using keywords.
3
Select your video.

Community Q&A

Question

How do we pay for the video?

Community Answer

You do not need to pay for watching YouTube videos.
Question

What does the "Error Loading Video" message mean?

Community Answer

Either the video is corrupted or your internet has some issues. Try playing some other videos to check whether the issue is video-specific.
Question

How do I cancel a YouTube video from my phone? (I can't find an "X" to stop it and take me back to the YouTube homepage.)

Community Answer

Just tap directly in the center of the video. This should bring up a surrounding menu where you can close it out by clicking "Done."