YouTube’s biggest redesign goes live on Android and iPhone: What’s new for users
YouTube has rolled out a major redesign for its mobile app, introducing a cleaner video player, larger icons and improved navigation on Android and iOS. The update also brings threaded comments and interactive animations to enhance user experience. The rollout has begun globally and will reach all users soon.
New Delhi: YouTube users on Android and iOS are beginning to experience one of the platform’s biggest visual upgrades in years, as Google rolls out a refreshed video player interface that aims to make watching, reacting and navigating smoother than before. I saw the update on my phone this morning, and the first thing that stood out was how much cleaner everything felt. The buttons are larger, easier to tap and grouped in a way that feels logical, not rushed or experimental.
According to 9to5Google, the redesign started rolling out with version 20.42 of YouTube and is gradually reaching users worldwide. Google is describing it as a significant UI shift, one that brings YouTube’s look closer to the company’s wider design language across Android devices.
What is changing in the new YouTube interface
YouTube has not changed the basic layout of its app, but the update makes subtle cosmetic tweaks that change how the app feels during use. Icons inside the video player are now larger and rounded, creating a softer visual style. Even the landscape mode, which was cluttered in earlier versions, now has a pill-shaped container at the bottom-left that holds all engagement buttons like thumbs up, thumbs down, comments, save and share.
The most noticeable difference appears when pausing a video. Previously the background would dim to draw attention to the controls. Now, the dimming effect has been removed, allowing thumbnails and other visual details to stay visible.
Major interface updates
- Bigger rounded icons that align with Google’s current design style
- Cleaner landscape mode with grouped controls in one area
- Dynamic like animations based on content type
- Threaded comments for better conversation flow
- Refined skip-forward and rewind animations for smoother viewing
New animations and reactions bring a playful layer
One of the new additions that caught my eye is the dynamic like animation. When you tap the thumbs-up button on a music video, small music notes float across the screen. For gaming clips, viewers may see different themed animations. These additions could boost engagement, especially among younger users who enjoy interactive UI elements.
The skip animations have been redesigned to be less abrupt. This was a common complaint among users who found the previous jumps disruptive when binge-watching videos.
Landscape mode finally gets cleaner
Switching to landscape mode used to feel messy, especially for those watching long-form content. Now everything sits in a single neat cluster. Instead of floating icons scattered around the screen, the new design groups them in one pill-shaped area, making it easier to access without blocking the video.
This change also helps creators, as engagement buttons are more naturally placed near each other, potentially leading to more interaction without overwhelming viewers.
Comment section gets a long overdue fix
YouTube comments have been notorious for being chaotic. Replies were easy to miss, and it was often unclear who was responding to whom. The platform has now added threaded comments, finally aligning with what most social platforms already offer. It is a quality-of-life improvement that could change how viewers engage in discussions.
Global rollout underway
The update is already reaching users globally across Android and iOS. If you have not received it yet, simply closing and reopening the app may trigger the refresh. Full visibility is expected by early November.