How to Use YouTube Connect on iPhone and Android

You can install and watch YouTube on your smart TV. Be it Android TV, Apple TV, or Fire TV Stick, you can install the YouTube app and watch videos up to 4K resolution. Depending on your smart TV specs, you can also watch 8K resolution videos on YouTube.

You can also use the Screen Sharing functionality depending on your mobile device to watch YouTube videos on your TV. However, you can control YouTube playback on your smart TV using the YouTube Connect feature. Here’s how to use YouTube Connect on your iPhone and Android.

What Is YouTube Connect

A YouTube-conducted survey suggests that over 80% of people use another digital device like a mobile or tablet while watching YouTube on their smart TV. It must have happened to you as well. You are watching a YouTube video on your Smart TV and simultaneously using the YouTube mobile app to subscribe or engage with that video or channel.

So instead of fitting all these functions for the YouTube app on a smart TV, you get to use use the Connect feature in the YouTube app on iPhone and Android to interact with the video you are watching. It means that you like the video, share the video, subscribe to the channel, and read the description and comments while watching the same video on your smart TV.

You only need to fulfill two out of these three requirements –

• Your smart TV and your iPhone or Android needs to have the same Google account for YouTube.
• Your smart TV and iPhone or Android needs to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Use the latest version of YouTube on your smart TV and mobile device.

How to Use YouTube Connect

Here’s how to use this feature to connect your smart TV to your Android or iPhone.

Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your smart TV (Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick).

Step 2: Open the YouTube app on your iPhone or Android.

Step 3: Start playing a video in YouTube on your smart TV.

Step 4: Tap on Connect in the prompt at the bottom.

The video playback window will appear in the YouTube app. You can control its playback and interact with the app without using it on your smart TV.

Do note that you won’t be able to change the video resolution from the YouTube app on your mobile. You need to do that from your smart TV itself.

How to Start Video Playback Using YouTube Connect

If you want to continue video playback using the YouTube Connect feature, here’s how to do it on your iPhone or Android.

Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your smart TV (Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick).

Step 2: Open the YouTube app on your iPhone or Android.

Step 3: Start playing a video in YouTube on your smart TV.

Step 4: Tap on Connect in the prompt at the bottom.

Step 5: When the video from your smart TV starts playing, tap on a different video from the YouTube app on your mobile.

Step 6: Tap on Play.

You can also add the video to a queue.

The new video will start playback on your smart TV while you control it on your Android or iPhone.

To stop using YouTube Connect, minimize the playback window on your mobile and tap the ‘X’ icon in the bottom-right corner. Then, tap on Close Player.

When the playback stops, you can use the Connect feature again using the same steps mentioned above.

Use YouTube Connect

The YouTube Connect feature will make it easier for users to interact with the platform while enjoying their favorite content. If you have not subscribed to YouTube Premium, you will see ads every time you play a video on any device.

Some of those ads are skippable, but some of them have been watched entirely. However, sometimes you might be subjected to unsuitable ads, especially for a younger audience. If this happens too often refer to our post on how to report YouTube ads on mobile and desktop. Keep reporting ads regularly to improve the suggestions and over time, you’ll get to see more friendly and less unsuitable ads.