Where did my YouTube go? An iOS/iPad user’s lament.

Many iPad users are now lamenting the fact that YouTube is no longer an iOS native application. If you are wondering what that means, the short answer is this: in previous versions of iOS, the operating system of the iPad allowed you to launch and view YouTube videos. Essentially, YouTube was an app built-in to your iPad. With the latest update from Apple, all the Google products (Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube) are no longer ‘embedded’ on the iPad’s iOS. This is part of Apple’s public ‘divorce’ from Google.

Many have asked, where did my YouTube go and how do I get it back? Well, it’s gone. From your iPad that is…but only for a moment. You will need to add it back manually if YouTube is important in using your iPad fully. Trust me – in my house, not having ready access to Berenstain Bears and Spongebob clips might have been a deal-breaker – which is where this solution comes from.

At any rate, help is here. The best solution is to make a ‘shortcut’ to YouTube’s mobile website. This is the best short-term solution. There is an iPhone app that is less-good, is too small, and doesn’t rotate properly on the iPad. It is compatible with iPad, but is not highly recommended.

The mobile version of YouTube’s website is very good, and presents very well on the iPad in both portrait and landscape orientations. You also have access to the previously accessible buttons to get to your account, favorites, playlists, history and more.

Take a look at this short video to learn how to bring YouTube back to your iPad. YouTube has said that a native iPad app is in the works, and will be available in the next few months, but in the mean time, go with the mobile web version.

httpv://youtu.be/6ZNgSQEFzcM

About Jonathan Jarc

Jon is the Educational Technologist at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland. Jon's specialty is working with teachers to solve classroom problems with technology. He has been teaching technology, art and design for 13 years. Subscribe to the posts on this site or follow us on Twitter @trendingedtech.