Quick answer
YouTube is Google's official app for watching videos, Shorts, live streams and music videos on Android phones and tablets. Google Play lists the YouTube APK version as "Varies with device", updated November 4, 2026. It's free with ads, and YouTube Premium removes ads and adds background play and downloads.
| App name | YouTube |
|---|---|
| Developer | Google LLC |
| Latest version | Varies with device |
| Updated | Nov 4, 2026 |
| Package name | com.google.android.youtube |
| Category | Entertainment |
| Price | Free |
| Contains ads | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes |
On this page
What is YouTube?
YouTube is the world's biggest video platform, owned by Google. The Android app lets you watch videos from creators, news outlets, musicians and brands, scroll short vertical videos in Shorts, join live streams, subscribe to channels and comment. You can also upload your own videos and Shorts, edit them with basic tools, and go live from your phone.
YouTube comes preinstalled on almost every Android phone and has passed 10 billion downloads on Google Play. It's one of the entertainment apps we list, alongside Netflix.
What's new in the latest YouTube update
Google Play lists the YouTube APK version as "Varies with device", with the latest update on November 4, 2026. Google's release note on Play simply says to look for in-app tips and notifications that introduce new features.
YouTube updates roughly weekly and tests features on small groups of users first, so the app on your phone may look slightly different from a friend's even on the same version.
Key features
Home, subscriptions and search
Your Home feed recommends videos based on what you watch. The Subscriptions tab shows new uploads from channels you follow. Search finds videos, channels, playlists and specific moments inside long videos.
Shorts
Shorts are vertical videos up to three minutes long. Swipe through them like other short-video apps, or create your own with music, effects, timers and remix tools.
Live and premieres
Watch live streams with live chat, and join premieres where creators release a new video and chat with viewers at the same time.
Library and playlists
Save videos to Watch Later, build playlists, and see your history. You can pause or delete watch history to change what YouTube recommends.
Premium features
YouTube Premium removes ads, lets you download videos for offline viewing, plays in the background and with your screen off, and includes YouTube Music Premium.
How to install YouTube APK on Android
YouTube is usually preinstalled. If it's missing or disabled, install YouTube from Google Play.
- Open Google Play, search for YouTube, and check the developer is Google LLC.
- Tap Install or Update. If it shows Enable, YouTube was disabled on your phone; tap it to turn it back on.
- Open YouTube and sign in with your Google account to see your subscriptions and history.
YouTube needs Google Play services to sign in. Without Google Play, use YouTube in your browser at youtube.com. APKPeer doesn't host a YouTube APK.
Settings that save data and battery
- Video quality on mobile. In Settings → Video quality preferences, choose "Data saver" on mobile networks and "Higher picture quality" on Wi-Fi.
- Autoplay. Turn off autoplay so the next video doesn't start on its own.
- Uploads on Wi-Fi only. In Settings → Background & downloads, upload only over Wi-Fi.
- Take a break and bedtime reminders. In Settings → General, YouTube can remind you to stop after a set time or at bedtime.
- Restricted Mode. Turn this on to hide potentially mature videos. It isn't perfect, but helps on shared devices.
Is YouTube APK safe?
The official YouTube app from Google Play is safe. It's published by Google LLC, rated Teen, contains ads, and lists in-app purchases from $0.05 to $999.99 per item for things like Premium, channel memberships and Super Chat.
Be careful with modified YouTube apps that promise to block ads or enable background play for free. They aren't from Google, they need your Google login to work, and some versions have carried malware. They can also stop working without warning when YouTube changes its systems. If you want an ad-free experience, YouTube Premium or Premium Lite is the official route.
For children, use YouTube Kids or a supervised account through Google Family Link rather than the main app.
YouTube for families
YouTube's main app is rated Teen, so set things up before handing a phone to a child. For under-13s, Google Family Link lets parents create a supervised YouTube account with three content levels: Explore, Explore More and Most of YouTube. For young children, the separate YouTube Kids app offers an even more limited catalogue, timers, and the option to approve every video or channel. On a shared family phone, sign out of your own account or use a separate Google profile, so your recommendations and history stay yours and your child's viewing doesn't shape your feed. Turning on Restricted Mode adds another layer, though no filter catches everything.
YouTube vs alternatives
- YouTube Music is the better app for listening to songs, albums and playlists.
- TikTok is focused entirely on short vertical videos and has a different creator community.
- Netflix offers professionally produced series and films with a subscription.
For almost any topic, from repair guides to music to news, YouTube is where the video is. Set your data and autoplay preferences on day one, and it'll be kinder to your mobile plan and battery.
Version history
YouTube Varies with deviceLatest
What changed (1)
- Bug fixes and improvements (Play shows no detailed notes for this release).
Source: play.google.com
Frequently asked questions
How do I install YouTube on Android?
Open Google Play, search for YouTube and check the developer is Google LLC before tapping Install. Google Play only shows the Install button if your phone is compatible. It's free to install, and Play keeps it updated automatically. Avoid copies from other sites: they aren't from Google LLC and may be altered, so the safest way to use YouTube is the official listing.
Is YouTube free?
Yes. YouTube is free to watch, with ads. YouTube Premium is a paid subscription that removes ads, plays videos in the background and with the screen off, allows downloads for offline viewing, and includes YouTube Music Premium. YouTube Premium Lite, available in some countries, removes most ads only.
How do I play YouTube in the background?
Background play is a YouTube Premium feature in the official app. Without Premium, videos pause when you leave the app or turn off the screen, though picture-in-picture works for some content in some countries.
Why does Google Play say "Varies with device" for YouTube?
Google builds YouTube in several versions for different processors, screen densities and Android versions, and Google Play sends each phone the build that fits it. That's why there's no single version number on the listing.
Is YouTube safe for kids?
YouTube is rated Teen on Google Play. For younger children, use the separate YouTube Kids app or a supervised YouTube experience set up through Google Family Link, which limits content by age and lets parents block channels.
