Following the launch of Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset in February 2024, users expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of a dedicated YouTube app. This was particularly disappointing given the device’s emphasis on video content and YouTube’s extensive library of immersive VR and 360-degree videos. Now, after a two-year wait, Google has introduced an official YouTube app on the Vision Pro’s app store.
This new app is not merely a port of the iPad version; it features a spatial arrangement of panels designed for the mixed reality environment. Users can enjoy 3D videos, as well as 360- and 180-degree content. According to YouTube’s App Store listing, the app allows users to access “every video on YouTube,” including a specialized interface for Shorts vertical videos. It also provides “the full signed-in experience,” which includes features like watch history.
Initially, after the Vision Pro’s release, many users reached out to YouTube regarding the lack of an app. They were directed to the web interface, which sufficed for most 2D videos but did not offer an optimal experience for mixed reality. Users were informed that a dedicated app was in development, but two years passed without updates. During this time, third-party applications emerged, such as the Juno app, which gained some popularity before being removed from the App Store due to alleged violations of API policies.
While Google is expanding its own XR (extended reality) initiatives, it remains unclear how the Vision Pro app was developed. Nonetheless, it is now available for users. As for future developments, speculation around a Netflix app for the Vision Pro seems unlikely, as Netflix has not made any announcements regarding such an application.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
