Watch YouTube videos on your Smartwatch with the Google Video Player for YouTube
YouTube is one of the most popular video streaming platforms in the world, and for good reason. It offers a wide variety of content, from music videos and TV shows to educational videos and vlogs. And now, you can watch YouTube videos on your smartwatch. Learn how to watch YouTube on smartwatch.
Setting up your watch
To watch YouTube videos on your watch, you will need to set up a YouTube Video app on your watch. This process will vary depending on the make and model of your smartwatch.
There are many video players developed by third party developers.
Comparison chart of video apps for smartwatch:
| Feature | YouTube | Amazon Prime Video | Hulu | Netflix | Google Video Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible smartwatches | Wear OS, Apple Watch, Samsung Tizen | Wear OS, Apple Watch | Wear OS, Apple Watch | Wear OS, Apple Watch | Wear OS |
| Offline viewing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Subscription required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Free content | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Original content | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Live TV | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Sports | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Kids’ content | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price | $11.99/month | $8.99/month | $6.99/month | $9.99/month | Free |
Google Video Player for Smartwatch
The Google Video Player for YouTube for Wear OS watches provides these features
Google Video Player for Smartwatch is a free app that allows you to watch videos from your Google Play library on your Wear OS smartwatch. It does not require a subscription and offers a variety of features, including:
- Offline viewing: Download videos to your smartwatch so you can watch them even when you don’t have an internet connection.
- Background playback: Continue listening to videos while you’re using other apps on your smartwatch.
- Chromecast support: Cast videos from your smartwatch to your TV or other Chromecast-enabled device.
- Voice control: Use voice commands to control playback, search for videos, and more.
Google Video Player for Smartwatch is a good option for users who want a free and comprehensive video player for their Wear OS smartwatch.
These video apps allow you to search to find the video you want to watch. Since smartwatches have very small speakers, you’ll want to connect a headset to your smartwatch (not the phone) to be able to listen to the sound in good quality. (Connect Bluetooth headphones to Smartwatch)
Your smartwatch must be connected to the internet to watch YouTube. You can sign into YouTube from a smartphone or a PC using the same Gmail account as your smartwatch. Using your smartphone or PC, activate subscriptions to make it easier for your smartwatch to find desired videos. When you access YouTube from your watch, the watch will automatically sign into YouTube using the default Gmail account on the watch and be able to see the subscriptions you activated from your smartphone or PC.
Playing and controlling videos
Once you are logged in, you can start browsing and playing YouTube videos on your smartwatch. The controls for playing and controlling videos will vary depending on your smartwatch.
On most smartwatches, you can play and pause videos using the buttons on the side of the watch. You can also scroll through videos using the touchscreen.
How to download a YouTube video to your watch to view offline?
To download a YouTube video to your watch to view offline, you will need to use a third-party app. There are a number of different apps available, but some of the most popular include:
- SmartTube: This app is available for smartwatches running Wear OS and Tizen. It allows you to download videos in a variety of resolutions and formats.
- Video Downloader for Wear OS: This app is also available for smartwatches running Wear OS. It allows you to download videos in a variety of resolutions and formats, and it also includes a built-in video player.
- YouTube Downloader for Tizen: This app is available for smartwatches running Tizen. It allows you to download videos in a variety of resolutions and formats.
Once you have installed a third-party YouTube downloader app on your watch, you can follow these steps to download a video to view offline:
- Open the YouTube downloader app.
- Search for the video you want to download.
- Select the video and tap the download button.
- Choose the resolution and format you want to download the video in.
- Touch the download button again to start downloading the video.
Once the video has been downloaded, you can watch it offline using the built-in video player in the YouTube downloader app, or you can transfer the video to your smartwatch’s storage and watch it using another video player app.
Additional tips for downloading YouTube videos to your smartwatch to view offline:
- Make sure that your smartwatch has enough storage space to download the video.
- If you are downloading a long video, it may take some time to download.
- If you are downloading the video in a high resolution, it will take more storage space and may take longer to download.
- If you are having trouble downloading the video, try restarting your smartwatch and checking your internet connection.
Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble watching YouTube videos on your smartwatch, there are a few things you can try:
- Make sure that your smartwatch is connected to the internet.
- Make sure that the YouTube app is up to date.
- Try restarting your smartwatch.
Tips and tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks for watching YouTube videos on your smartwatch:
- To save battery life, you can watch videos in low resolution.
- To avoid buffering, you can download videos to watch offline.
- You can use your smartwatch to control YouTube videos that are playing on your phone.
- You can also use your smartwatch to search for and discover new YouTube videos.
Common problems and solutions for how to watch YouTube:
Problem: Video won’t play.
Solution:
Make sure that your smartwatch is connected to the internet.
Make sure that the YouTube app is up to date.
Try restarting your smartwatch.
Problem: Video is buffering.
Solution:
- Try watching the video in a lower resolution.
- Move to an area with a stronger internet connection.
- Try downloading the video to watch offline.
Problem: Video is stuttering or lagging.
Solution:
- Try restarting your smartwatch.
- Make sure that the YouTube app is up to date.
- Try watching the video in a lower resolution.
- Move to an area with a stronger internet connection.
Problem: Audio is not working.
Solution:
- Make sure that the volume is turned up on your smartwatch.
- Make sure that your smartwatch is not connected to Bluetooth headphones.
- Try restarting your smartwatch.
Problem: YouTube app is not available on my smartwatch.
Solution:
- Check the app store for your smartwatch to see if the YouTube app is available.
- If the YouTube app is not available, you may be able to use a third-party app to view YouTube videos on your smartwatch.
Problem: I can’t log in to my YouTube account.
Solution:
- Make sure that you are entering the correct username and password.
- Try restarting your smartwatch.
Frequently asked questions and answers for how to watch YouTube:
Q: What smartwatches can I watch YouTube on?
A: You can watch YouTube on most smartwatches that have an app store, including popular models from Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, and Garmin.
Q: How do I set up my watch to watch YouTube?
A: To set up your watch to watch YouTube, you will need to download the YouTube app from the watch’s app store. Once the app is installed, you will need to log in to your YouTube account.
Q: How do I play and control YouTube videos on my smartwatch?
A: Once you are logged in, you can start browsing and playing YouTube videos on your smartwatch. The controls for playing and controlling videos will vary depending on your smartwatch.
On most smartwatches, you can play and pause videos using the buttons on the side of the watch. You can also scroll through videos using the touchscreen.
Q: Can I view YouTube videos on my smartwatch without my phone?
A: Yes, you can view YouTube videos on your smartwatch without your phone. However, you will need to make sure that your smartwatch is connected to the internet.
Q: Can I download YouTube videos to my smartwatch to view offline?
A: Yes, you can download YouTube videos to your smartwatch to watch offline. This is a great way to save battery life and watch videos in areas with poor internet reception.
Q: What are some tips and tricks for watching YouTube on my smartwatch?
A: Here are a few tips and tricks for watching YouTube on your smartwatch:
- To save battery life, watch videos in low resolution.
- To avoid buffering, download videos to watch offline.
- Use your smartwatch to control YouTube videos that are playing on your phone.
- Use your smartwatch to search for and discover new YouTube videos.
Q: What are some common problems that people experience when watching YouTube on a smartwatch?
A: Some common problems that people experience when watching YouTube on a smartwatch include:
- Videos not playing.
- Videos buffering.
- Videos stuttering or lagging.
- Audio not working.
- YouTube app not available on the smartwatch.
- Not able to log in to YouTube account.
If you are experiencing any of these problems, try restarting your smartwatch, checking for updates to the YouTube app, and ensuring that your smartwatch is connected to the internet. If you are still having trouble, contact the manufacturer of your smartwatch or YouTube support for assistance.
Conclusion
Watching YouTube videos on your smartwatch is a great way to stay entertained and informed on the go. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily set up your watch and start watching your favorite videos.
Additional helpful information:
YouTube is one of the best apps for Smartwatch – Best Video Apps for Smartwatch
Another popular thing to do with smartwatches is to listen to music. (How to listen to music on your smartwatch?)
Use your smartwatch to remote control media on your phone How to remote control media on your Phone with Smartwatch?
