YouTube lands native app on Apple Vision Pro

• YouTube has released a native app for the Apple Vision Pro, filling a major gap in the headset’s app lineup.
• The app was one of the biggest absences when Vision Pro launched in February 2024, and its arrival increases the device’s appeal for media consumption.
• Native support should improve performance, discoverability and user experience compared with running non‑native or web-based players.

What happened

YouTube has launched a native application for the Apple Vision Pro, addressing one of the most visible omissions from the headset’s initial app roster when Apple released Vision Pro in February 2024.

Why this matters

At launch, the absence of a first‑party YouTube app weakened the Vision Pro’s position as a media and entertainment device. YouTube is a primary destination for video, music and creator content, and a native app brings easier access, an interface tuned for visionOS, and potentially better performance than relying on web or mirrored playback.

Implications for users and creators

For users, a native YouTube app means smoother browsing of subscriptions, recommendations and playlists inside the Vision Pro environment. That makes the headset more compelling for long‑form viewing and casual video discovery.

For creators and publishers, wider native app availability on Apple’s spatial computing headset could increase watch time from Vision Pro owners and encourage creators to optimize formats for the device. That could include larger virtual screens and, over time, experiments with immersive or spatialized content.

Platform signal: visionOS gaining traction

The arrival of a high‑profile app like YouTube is a signal that more major platforms and developers are investing in visionOS. Native apps from key services help demonstrate to potential buyers that the ecosystem is maturing beyond niche or bundled apps.

What to expect next

Expect Google and YouTube to refine the app with updates as they gather user feedback from Vision Pro owners. Features commonly requested for headset viewing—such as improved spatial playback, integration with Apple’s system gestures, or tailored UI for 3D spaces—may arrive over time if demand justifies development.

For now, the native YouTube app closes a prominent gap in the Vision Pro experience and makes Apple’s spatial computing platform more attractive to people who view video as a primary use case.