YouTube Go Android App Is Being Retired
YouTube will shutter its data-friendly Go Android app in August.
Aimed at emerging markets, YouTube Go invites users to preview videos before consuming the data needed to watch them in full.
When the project launched in India in 2017 (later rolling out to more than 140 countries worldwide), 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," according to an announcement.
The lightweight alternative lets folks choose a streaming resolution and save clips for offline viewing. Users can also share videos with nearby friends who don't have a mobile internet connection. Last updated in October, YouTube Go currently boasts a 4.1-star rating in the Android app store.
As the Google-owned video platform introduced improvements to its main app—boosting performance for entry-level devices and those running on slower networks—Go became redundant. The primary platform now provides a "better overall user experience," YouTube said, as well as oft-requested features like the ability to comment, post, create content, and use a dark theme. Viewers can also tap into recent additions like free TV show streaming and more personalized content.
"We're also building out additional user controls that help to decrease mobile data usage for viewers with limited data," the company added, urging the community to "stay tuned for more updates."
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