Something that you probably have realized is that apps and desktop sites aren't the same. You probably would notice it immediately if you've used any banking app on your phone compared to logging into your account on a computer. But something that you likely use all the time but may not realize is completely different between a mobile app and a desktop site is YouTube. YouTube has a much better desktop site than the mobile version. That's because there are more features to use on the desktop site.
Just because you have the mobile app doesn't mean that you need to use it. You can easily visit the YouTube desktop site with Chrome, or any other browser, from your desktop computer and mobile device. If you're wondering why you should be using the desktop site for YouTube, we'll show you how easy it is and what special features you'll be enjoying.
Viewing YouTube desktop site on Android devices
First off, you're probably going to be sent to the app through a redirection most of the time when you're trying to watch a video. But you can open up a browser and watch it on the YouTube desktop site.
With Google Chrome
Click on your Google Chrome app
Image source: Toby Grey for BGR
Type "YouTube.com" into the address bar.
Image source: Toby Grey for BGR
After typing in the URL, click Enter. In the top right corner, the menu icon has three vertical dots. Click that and select "Desktop site" from the drop-down menu.
Note: The exact same steps can be used for Opera. You can also use Mozilla Firefox and do the same steps to get to the desktop YouTube site. The only difference is that the Menu icon is on the bottom right, rather than the top right. You select that and the drop-down menu delivers the Desktop Site.
Viewing YouTube desktop site on iOS devices
Visiting the YouTube desktop site on an iPhone or iPad is a bit different than on an Android device. Here is how to do it with different browsers.
With Chrome
Open the Chrome browser and type "YouTube.com" into the browser.
Chrome on iOS Image source: Chris Hachey for BGR
In the top right corner is the Share button. Click that.
YouTube share button Image source: Chris Hachey for BGR
A new menu will pop up and as you scroll down, you'll see "Request Desktop Site." Choose that and the browser will swap to the YouTube desktop site.
YouTube on Chrome Image source: Chris Hachey for BGR
Note: This process is the same for Firefox but the Share button is instead a three dot Menu button.
With Safari
If you use Safari, the Apple browser that comes with your
Open Safari browser and type in “YouTube.com” to the address bar. If you have the app on your phone, it will ask you to open up the mobile app. Ignore that and tap the "AA" icon at the upper left-hand corner of the address bar.
Text bar on YouTube Image source: Chris Hachey for BGR
The pull-down menu will have "Request Desktop Website" as one of the options. Click that and it will come up.
Request Desktop Website from YouTube Image source: Chris Hachey for BGR
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