Explore YouTube’s player redesign: a unified interface with clearer controls across web, Android, iOS, and smart TVs for faster actions and smoother navigation.
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YouTube is rolling out a sweeping update to its player interface worldwide. This isn’t a cosmetic touch-up but a full redesign of the controls, and it’s arriving across the web, the Android and iOS apps, and smart TVs.
The aim is a cleaner, clearer, more approachable experience, with controls arranged more logically and kept consistent across devices. The result should reduce clutter and make everyday actions faster.
On TVs, video details move to the top-left corner, while all playback controls sit beneath the progress bar. On the left are the channel avatar plus Description and Subscribe; in the center, the familiar Play button; on the right, Subtitles and Settings. Like, Dislike, Comments, and Save are grouped into a single block, which makes the layout feel more intentional.
On mobile in landscape, most buttons now live in a unified panel on the left, which makes navigation more intuitive. The icon style has been refreshed to echo YouTube Music. Tapping Like may trigger a short animation—think a musical note for music videos or a sports flourish for match highlights—adding a small bit of personality without getting in the way.
Double-tap seeking has been refined to be less intrusive, and adding videos to Watch Later or playlists looks smoother. Comments now feature more structured replies, making longer threads easier to follow.
YouTube is also introducing new animations when switching tabs on mobile, leaning on motion design for a more fluid feel. The rollout has begun and will reach all users globally in the coming weeks.