Your Apple Watch has a relatively small screen. But you can watch YouTube videos even on the smartwatch as long as you have a watchOS compatible app installed on it.
How to Get YouTube on Your Apple Watch
WatchTube is the best app for YouTube on Apple Watch. Alternatively, you can use a watchOS compatible web browser such as Watch Browser to bring YouTube experience to your wrist.
1. Download and Use WatchTube
Developed Hugo Mason, WatchTube is the only free third-party app that allows you to access YouTube and enjoy videos on your Apple Watch.
To get started:
- Open App Store on your Apple Watch.
- Search for WatchTube.
- Tap “Get” to download the app to your Apple Watch.
- Open the WatchTube once installed.
- Use the app to access YouTube on your wrist.
You can use WatchTube to:
- Subscribe to any YouTube channel, see a list of recommended videos, and access your watch history.
- Browse different categories or use the built-in search function to find any video on YouTube.
- Watch any video seamlessly after only 3 to 5 seconds of loading time, and like videos that you find interesting.
- Play the YouTube audio even if your wrist is away from the view angle and the watch’s screen is off.
Keep in mind WatchTube won’t play an audio if your Apple Watch is in silent mode. To fix this, swipe up to access the control center, and then tap the bell icon to turn off silent mode.
2. Get Watch Browser for Web and Internet
Another option is to use the Watch Browser for web and internet.
To get started:
- Open App Store on your Apple Watch.
- Search for Watch Browser.
- Tap “Get” to install the app.
- Open the Watch Browser.
- Tap Search and type YouTube.
- Use YouTube as you normally would on your smartphone or computer.
Is There a YouTube App for Apple Watch?
Unfortunately, there’s no YouTube app for Apple Watch and it’s unlikely the developer at Google have a plan to develop one. As of this writing, YouTube’s native app is compatible only with iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
Although the App Store doesn’t have a watchOS 10 version of the YouTube app, third-party apps, such as WatchTube and Watch Browser can get the video streaming service to work well on your Apple Watch.
Should I Even Watch YouTube on Apple Watch?
I don’t recommend you watch YouTube on your Apple Watch because the user experience is horrible. The screen is tiny, and therefore the videos will be typically smaller.
Since video playback consumes a lot of power, your Apple Watch’s battery will drain faster, hence requiring more frequent charging.
Is Netflix Available on Apple Watch?
There’s no official native app for Netflix on Apple Watch and, just like with YouTube, it’s unlikely that Netflix has a plan to develop one. However, it’s possible to watch Netflix videos on your Apple Watch via a web browser or by mirroring Netflix videos from your iPhone to the smartwatch.
I personally don’t recommend watching Netflix on any Apple Watch model in first place, mostly because Apple hasn’t gotten any closer to exceptional video streaming. Use your iPhone or Smart TV instead.
