Google has released the official YouTube application for Apple Vision Pro, giving users the ability to watch videos on a giant, immersive virtual screen. The app, which became available after a two-year wait since the headset’s launch, is available on the App Store and supports all of the platform’s content types, including standard horizontal videos, 3D videos with 360-degree and VR180 views, and vertical YouTube Shorts.
A Long-Awaited Native Experience
Users can now access their subscriptions, playlists, viewing history, and other features associated with their YouTube account directly within a native visionOS environment. The application has a file size of 180 MB and is available in over 76 languages. This launch marks a significant step forward from previous workarounds, which required users to watch YouTube through the Safari browser or third-party apps like Juno. The latter was notably removed from the App Store in late 2024 for violating YouTube’s terms of service.
Hardware-Specific Features and Requirements
A key feature of the new application is its support for 8K UHD video, though this functionality is exclusively available on Vision Pro models equipped with the M5 chip, which were released last year. The original M2-powered Vision Pro is limited to 4K playback. To run the app, the device must be updated to visionOS version 26 or higher. This hardware-gated feature suggests a strategy to leverage the capabilities of the latest-generation devices for the most demanding content.
The Broader App Ecosystem
While the arrival of an official YouTube app is a major win for the Vision Pro platform, it also highlights the continued absence of other major media applications. Notably, streaming giants like Netflix and Spotify have not yet released native apps for the device, leaving a gap in the content landscape. Google’s investment in a native app could be seen as a vote of confidence in the future of spatial computing and may pressure other major developers to follow suit.
The Future of Immersive Content
The launch of a dedicated YouTube app on Vision Pro is more than just a convenience; it signals a growing commitment to immersive video formats. With native support for 360-degree and VR180 content on a premium headset, content creators have a greater incentive to produce high-quality immersive experiences. This move could accelerate the adoption of spatial video and solidify the Vision Pro’s role as a premier device for next-generation media consumption.
