Club Benefits
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Daily (Mon-Sun)
Tom's Guide Daily
Sign up to get the latest updates on all of your favorite content! From cutting-edge tech news and the hottest streaming buzz to unbeatable deals on the best products and in-depth reviews, we’ve got you covered.
Weekly on Thursday
Tom's AI Guide
Be AI savvy with your weekly newsletter summing up all the biggest AI news you need to know. Plus, analysis from our AI editor and tips on how to use the latest AI tools!
Weekly on Friday
Tom's iGuide
Unlock the vast world of Apple news straight to your inbox. With coverage on everything from exciting product launches to essential software updates, this is your go-to source for the latest updates on all the best Apple content.
Weekly on Monday
Tom's Streaming Guide
Our weekly newsletter is expertly crafted to immerse you in the world of streaming. Stay updated on the latest releases and our top recommendations across your favorite streaming platforms.
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
YouTube is testing a new UI design for the Android app that resembles the current Smart TV UI.
While YouTube is one of the best streaming apps available on smartphones, that doesn't mean Google is done changing it. A recent report by 9to5 Google Mishaal Rahman says that Google is currently A/B testing a new UI for the Android version of the app, and some of the testers have been very vocal about the changes. For instance, two users named DefinitionIcy4835 and Lumpy-Firefighter155 have taken to Reddit to voice their dislike.
Another change is that the forward and back buttons have been removed while in fullscreen, and the video is playing, appearing if you pause the video. The audience interaction buttons (likes, dislikes, comment and share) have all been moved to above the progress bar on the right side and the likes/dislikes numbers are below the symbols.
Meanwhile, the bookmark button is now hidden under the menu, while the remix button is shown by default. You can also see the video chapters on the bottom left of the screen, next to the pause button.
It isn't just the visuals that could change, as a recent server-side update has also made it possible to swipe up and down to move videos in a playlist. Users can also swipe down to minimize a video if it is either not part of a playlist or is only the first video in one.
YouTube has been seeing a fair few changes in recent months, for instance, the inclusion of AI for Premium users on Android devices that allows users to ask questions about the current video. YouTube has also started to roll out new ads that appear when a video is paused.
To get the best YouTube experience, we recommend subscribing to YouTube Premium to ensure you aren't bombarded with ads.
More from Tom's Guide
- Android 16 tipped for huge multitasking upgrade that beats the iPhone
- OnePlus Open 2 may launch early next year — but without this big upgrade
- Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra revealed in new leak — here’s your first look
