IT Pro is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

YouTube Go to be shut down from August

Google says improvements made to its main YouTube app mean its Go service is no longer required

A person holding a smartphone with the YouTube Go app download page displayed

Google has announced that it will be shutting down its YouTube Go service from August as the company looks to shift users over to the main YouTube app.

Launched back in 2016, YouTube Go was created as a lightweight alternative to the main app for users contending with connectivity issues, data prices, or low-end devices. The app allows users to watch videos offline to work around these issues, as well as offering features such as nearby sharing.

From August, however, the service is coming to an end, with YouTube encouraging users to move across to its main app or access the platform via its website instead.

With the widespread improvement of lower end devices, Google said its main app now provides users with a “better overall experience” with features that can’t be accessed via the Go service – such as the ability to comment, post, create content, as well as the dark theme.

“When we launched YouTube Go in 2016, it was designed for viewers in locations where connectivity, data prices, and low-end devices prevented us from delivering the best experience in the main YouTube app,” Google said in a blog post.

“Since then, YouTube has invested in improvements to the main YouTube app that make it perform better in these environments, while also delivering a better user experience which is inclusive of our entire community.”

Related Resource

Enabling the future of work with embedded real-time communication

A new dimension of human interaction is coming to digital work

Blue whitepaper cover with graphic image of a computer screen and video conference head shots of four colleaguesFree Download

To solve these user issues in YouTube Go’s wake, the main app now includes improved performance for entry-level devices, as well as those that watch videos on slower networks. Additionally, Google said it is providing extra user controls that help to decrease mobile data usage for viewers with limited data.

The YouTube app does support offline video viewing, but users must pay for YouTube’s Premium membership which is currently priced at $11.99/£11.99 per month.

“Using the main YouTube app, YouTube Go users will be able to participate in creation and community and have access to an overall improved user experience,” Google said.

Featured Resources

IT best practices for accelerating the journey to carbon neutrality

Considerations and pragmatic solutions for IT executives driving sustainable IT

Free Download

The Total Economic Impact™ of IBM Spectrum Virtualize

Cost savings and business benefits enabled by storage built with IBMSpectrum Virtualize

Free download

Using application migration and modernisation to supercharge business agility and resiliency

Modernisation can propel your digital transformation to the next generation

Free Download

The strategic CFO

Why finance transformation propels business value

Free Download

Recommended

How to use Chromecast without Wi-Fi
Mobile

How to use Chromecast without Wi-Fi

9 Mar 2023
What you need to know about Gmail's new client-side encryption feature
Security

What you need to know about Gmail's new client-side encryption feature

28 Feb 2023
Google pays largest-ever bug bounty worth £500,000
Security

Google pays largest-ever bug bounty worth £500,000

23 Feb 2023
Google knows ChatGPT has it cornered
artificial intelligence (AI)

Google knows ChatGPT has it cornered

14 Feb 2023

Most Popular

The big PSTN switch off: What’s happening between now and 2025?
Sponsored

The big PSTN switch off: What’s happening between now and 2025?

13 Mar 2023
HMRC lost nearly 50% more devices in 2022
Hardware

HMRC lost nearly 50% more devices in 2022

17 Mar 2023
Why – and how – IP can be the hero in your digital transformation success story
Sponsored

Why – and how – IP can be the hero in your digital transformation success story

6 Mar 2023