It took two years, but Google released a YouTube app on Vision Pro
Source: Ars Technica
Background
When Apple’s Vision Pro mixed‑reality headset launched in February 2024, users were frustrated by the lack of a proper YouTube app—a significant disappointment given the device’s focus on video‑content consumption1 and YouTube’s extensive library of immersive VR and 360° videos. The complaint persisted through the release of the second‑generation Vision Pro last year, as noted in our review2.
Official YouTube App Launch
Two years after the headset’s debut, Google released an official YouTube app on the Vision Pro App Store. It is not merely a port of the iPad app; the interface arranges panels spatially in front of the user and supports 3D videos as well as 360‑ and 180‑degree content.
The app’s App Store listing3 states that users can watch “every video on YouTube,” includes a special interface for Shorts (vertical videos), and provides “the full signed‑in experience” with watch history and other personalized features.
History of Workarounds
Shortly after the Vision Pro launched, many users complained to YouTube about the missing app. They were directed to the web interface, which worked for most 2D videos but was far from ideal, and were told that a Vision Pro app was on the roadmap.
During the two‑year gap, third‑party solutions appeared, most notably the Juno app. Juno gained some popularity before being removed from the App Store after Google claimed it violated API policies. Other third‑party apps either remained available or surfaced later.
Outlook
Google’s broader XR ambitions may have helped accelerate the Vision Pro app’s development, though the exact path remains unclear. The app is now available, and the next anticipated native streaming service would be Netflix—though, unlike Google, Netflix has not announced any plans to release a Vision Pro app.