Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
The YouTube Kids mobile app is getting a redesign that both makes it look and behave more like the standard YouTube app and lets kids browse through videos in portrait mode for the first time. It’s rolling out over the next few weeks on iOS and Android, while the web and smart TV experiences stay the same.
YouTube Kids launched nearly a decade ago, and its look hasn’t changed much since its last major redesign in 2017. As the company said last year, this is a hefty visual and functional refresh that looks less toy-like, with elements from the recent design changes in the main YouTube app.
Screenshot: Google
The YouTube Kids update looks a bit more like the main YouTube app.
At the top, you’ll notice a newly designed carousel for familiar content filters. They’re clearly labeled by topic, whether you’re looking for gaming, shows, music, or the educationally inclined “Explore” tab. Those buttons will occupy less horizontal space.
Screenshot: The Verge
Here’s how the YouTube Kids app looks now, before the new update rolls out.
Some of the other shortcuts that used to live at the top — such as Home, Search, and Profile — will be moved to a new navigation bar at the bottom. A new “Your Stuff” page will also live in that bar and serve as a dedicated portal to find content that you’ve downloaded, shared, or previously watched. Parental controls and other settings will remain in dedicated views, with shortcuts for those always accessible in the upper right corner, next to the Cast button.
