Google Launches Native YouTube App for Apple Vision Pro

Google has officially launched a dedicated YouTube app for Apple Vision Pro, delivering a fully native experience for users of Apple’s mixed-reality headset. The new app allows users to watch standard YouTube videos and YouTube Shorts inside an immersive environment while unlocking spatial video formats optimised for visionOS.

The release marks a major upgrade from browser-based access, which had been the only way to use YouTube on Vision Pro since the headset’s debut.

YouTube App for Apple Vision Pro: Key Features Explained

Native visionOS Experience With Spatial Video Support

One of the standout features of the YouTube app for visionOS is a dedicated Spatial tab. This section helps users discover immersive content, including:

• 3D videos

• VR180 videos

• 360-degree videos

These formats are specifically designed for mixed-reality viewing and make better use of the Apple Vision Pro’s advanced displays and sensors.

8K Playback Support on M5-Powered Vision Pro

For users of the newer Apple Vision Pro model powered by the M5 chip, the YouTube app supports high-resolution playback of up to 8K, offering sharper visuals and improved clarity for compatible content.

This enhancement positions the Vision Pro as one of the few consumer devices capable of delivering ultra-high-resolution streaming in a mixed-reality environment.

Access to Core YouTube Features

Subscriptions, Playlists and Shorts Included

The native YouTube app includes full access to familiar platform features, including:

• Subscriptions

• Watch history

• Playlists

• YouTube Shorts

This ensures continuity for users transitioning from traditional screens to Apple’s spatial computing platform.

visionOS Gesture Controls and Interface Design

Hands-Free Navigation Without Controllers

The app is designed to work seamlessly with visionOS gesture controls. Users can:

• Resize video windows

• Scrub through timelines

• Navigate menus using hand movements

No physical controllers are required, aligning with Apple’s hands-free interaction philosophy for Vision Pro.

App Availability, System Requirements and Language Support

The YouTube app is now available on the visionOS App Store and supports:

• Both M2 and M5 chip models of Apple Vision Pro

• visionOS 26 or later

According to the App Store listing, the app is available in 77 languages, including:
Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Marathi, and several others.

YouTube’s Delayed Entry Into Apple’s Mixed-Reality Ecosystem

Since the launch of the first-generation Apple Vision Pro in 2024, YouTube had only been accessible via web browsers. While Google confirmed in February 2024 that a dedicated visionOS app was on its roadmap, no timeline had been shared at the time.

The arrival of the native app comes as Google continues to expand its own Android XR platform for mixed-reality headsets and smart glasses, with early devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset entering the market.

Streaming Competition on Apple Vision Pro

In contrast to YouTube’s delayed rollout, several major streaming platforms had already launched native Vision Pro apps, including:

• Disney+

• Amazon Prime Video

• Paramount+

• Peacock

Google’s move helps close a significant gap in the Vision Pro app ecosystem.

Final Takeaway

The launch of the native YouTube app for Apple Vision Pro delivers a long-awaited upgrade for visionOS users, bringing spatial videos, gesture-based controls, and high-resolution playback into a dedicated mixed-reality experience. As competition heats up in the XR space, the move strengthens YouTube’s presence on Apple’s spatial computing platform while reflecting the broader industry shift toward immersive video consumption.