YouTube Go Is Shutting Down: Here’s Everything You Need to Know | TechBuzz

YouTube Go once gave users limited access to the YouTube platform in some countries, as they couldn’t use the main app like people in the US and other areas. But YouTube is retiring the lite version in August 2022. So, what does this mean for you, and what should you do next? Keep reading to find out.

YouTube Go Is Shutting Down

YouTube Go will shut down at the beginning of August 2022. The announcement was made in a YouTube blog post, where the company stated it would be sunsetting the app.

Launched in 2016, YouTube Go is a lightweight version of the YouTube app, mainly available on Android devices. It was introduced as a solution in areas like India and Indonesia, where users typically struggle with slow networks, high data prices, and low-storage or low-end phones. This prevented YouTube from giving those users the best experience in the main app.

While most of us were trying to figure out how to download YouTube videos, YouTube Go users had it all figured out. Instead of streaming, users could download videos for offline viewing. YouTube Go users could also control video quality by changing MB usage. However, they couldn’t create videos or leave comments using the YouTube Go app.

Why Is YouTube Go Going Away?

Simply put, YouTube is canning Go because it is no longer necessary, thanks to performance improvements that YouTube has made to the main app over the years.

As mentioned in YouTube’s blog post:

When we launched YouTube Go in 2016, it was designed for viewers in locations where connectivity, data prices, and low-end devices prevented us from delivering the best experience in the main YouTube app. Since then, YouTube has invested in improvements to the main YouTube app that make it perform better in these environments, while also delivering a better user experience which is inclusive of our entire community.

Some of those improvements include better performance on entry-level devices, as well as the ability to run the app more efficiently on slower networks—thereby addressing the main challenges faced by YouTube in those locations.

Overall, the company wants its entire community to enjoy the best that its platform has to offer without leaving anyone out.

YouTube also says it is working on controls that would help people with limited data, though it didn’t say when those controls will be available.

What to Do Now That YouTube Go Is Shutting Down

If you’ve been using Go, YouTube has advised that you download the main app or use the platform’s web version, YouTube.com, to get the full experience.

That’s because the main YouTube app provides a better user experience across the board. It includes features YouTube Go users have been missing over the years, like the ability to comment on videos, create and post your own content, and switch to a dark theme.

By moving over to the main app, you can transition from merely consuming content to having a career as a YouTuber if that’s what you want. Essentially, you’re able to enjoy a more immersive experience on the platform like other users. Additionally, you get to be a part of the larger YouTube community, which is a priority for YouTube, and you can even take advantage of YouTube Premium if you think it’s worth the cost.

YouTube Is Giving Users the Full Experience

It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that some countries still have challenges with internet connections and access to devices that are compatible with everyday apps like YouTube.

But the onus is upon those companies to improve their apps so users can get an equal experience, regardless of their location.

Sure, the YouTube app isn’t perfect, and you’ll still find issues with audio or video. But thanks to upgrades made by YouTube, though, its users across the world can now get the whole experience and be part of the larger community of YouTubers who are not limited in their ability to both consume and create content.

Read Next

About The Author