
Think back to earlier this year and you might recall a rumour that YouTube was finally on the way to the Nintendo Switch. As it turned out, this never happened. A few days after this, Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aimé said conversations to bring certain services to the Switch were on-going, but the primary short-term goal was to position the Switch as a game-playing device.
We're now nearly two years into the Switch's life, so what's the latest on YouTube coming to Switch? According to post on ResetEra, the popular video service has been spotted under the Switch game recommendations section on the official Nintendo website. It's even listed for release on 8th November, which happens to be next week. If you're still not convinced, a while ago the final name for Yoshi's Crafted World was leaked on the official website. Below is a tweet of the original discovery:
Do you think YouTube might finally be on the way to the Nintendo Switch? Would you be interested in having this video player on your hybrid device? Tell us below.
[source nintendosoup.com]
Comments 127
If it’s on the official site, it must be legit, right? Hope so!
Edit: Can’t find it on the site though. Anyone who does?
Press (Y) to Doubt. Shake the (| |) Joy-Con to Doubt faster.
Could be true, could be fake. I’m not affected either way.
I'll be glad of its arrival but I can't see it being any better than the Wii U app. I loved streaming videos on the TV whilst catching up with MiiVerse.
Oh I hope so! Turning on the Switch is a lot quicker than the PC!
Cool.
I couldn't care less.
Doubt it’ll be any better than on my tv or iPad or phone so pretty sure it won’t get much, if any use.
But why? Switch' WiFi is a joke, I can't even watch eShop trailers without hiccups. Also on TV through Ethernet adapter it's obsolete, as I've Wii U, Smart TV & mini PC (Intel NUC) attached already. All in all, at home I prefer PC or Wii U watch Youtube, and out of there my phone is best suited for this task.
I haven't really missed it, but I'll certainly use it if it's there!
I think if Youtube will be on Switch, so does with Google.
And Switch revision edition probably will have a Camera (Might be to read QR Code for Animal Crossing / take a picture) & Microphone (Nintendogs on Switch or Cooking Mama on Switch ???)
Cool. Another device I’ll not watch YouTube on.
Now we can watch Alex greeting those lovely people on the Switch!
(Now hurry up Netflix so we can greet those lovely people at a certain trailer park)
It’s cool another service is coming to Switch, but I’d prefer Netflix as, although I can use my iPad when away from home, I’d prefer to just have one device with me for gaming and films.
Nice, soon I'll be able to satisfy my youtube addiction in bed with a decent sized screen.
No way, you'd finally be able to watch Nintendo Directs live on Switch.
And there goes the battery....but only if you have wifi free public otherwise forget your YT days.
Finally, i can stop using my Wii U to watch youtube for directs and thegameawards.
@Grumblevolcano Funny, YT releasing on Switch a week after the 40 minute SSBU ND followed by hours of Trehouse Live on YT is the only reason I think this rumour is true, b/c Nitneod Logic.
If it is true, guess I'll finally stop turning my Wii U on.
So so happy about this. Now Netflix next please.
@Grumblevolcano I was just about to say that. I always enjoyed watching Directs through my Wii U on the TV while chatting on the live feed with the Gamepad. I won't be able to fully recreate that experience but I'll use my phone for live chat instead. Your phone is already part of the Switch experience anyway.
Well, there was that whole rumor about a direct happening between the 5th and 12th. Wonder if the 8th really is a more general direct to set us up for early 2019 then, and this was apart of that.
That being said, I expect nothing, and I'm not sure I'll even use it anyway.
Yeah I have this thing called a "smartphone" that has been magically accessing YouTube since forever.
Awesome! I'm definitely down for this!
@oji Videos often buffer on the Wii U eShop as well, yet videos on the Internet Browser run in high quality just fine for me. I would expect similar performance here.
I'll definitely download it and give it a try if it's real. However, now that I'm older I've been able to afford a smartphone with a beautiful display and a 4K smart TV... so I'll probably stick with those for my content. Nonetheless, I'm happy to finally see this coming. Back when I was in my later years of high school, I loved watching YouTube on my Vita as that was the best screen I owned at the time. I imagine this will be nice for a lot of younger folk in a similar situation as me at the time.
I welcome this and will use it for sure. I don't have a smart TV and Chromesticks are way overpriced in Thailand. I used the the YouTube app on Wii U a lot but I've rarely had it on since the Switch arrived. I've managed to rack up 50+ hours on the Nico Nico app just watching Beatles videos so yep, this will get a lot of use..... if it's true.
I hope that we can also access YouTube mid-game (particularly in order to access tutorials/walkthroughs) like we can on New 3DS and Wii U.
Ok. It’s a start. I may or may not use it. I already have it on my PS4, Xbox, Smart TV, computer and iPhone. Thanks? Let’s see what groundbreaking features the Switch support next..? Perhaps an Opera browser? Nintendo, I love ya and my Switch. I really do, but good lord you’re the king of late to the party.
I won't object to it but I can't see myself using it. I have a first generation Google Chromcast that serves that purpose.
@Silly_G I used to do that a lot on Wii U great feature. I don't remember it being possible with the Wii U app though, I think you could only do it through the browser. I imagine a Switch app will act in the same way as starting a game, like a Nico Nico does.
I'd take this with a grain of salt. I looked at a "You might like..." section and there's no colon. In the leak it says "Coming: Nov 08, 2018" but on multiple places on Nintendo's site for different games it says "Coming Aug 97, 1776" (random date) with no commas.
@oji completely untrue. I've had no problems at all with my wifi.
Maybe look into better equipment or learn how it actually works and you too can enjoy a better connection.
@OorWullie : Yes, that's what I meant. YouTube is accessible via the browser in both New 3DS and Wii U (I believe YouTube access on old 3DS models was limited to the app, however, it has been so long that my memory is fuzzy).
It would just be one more convenient way to watch my favorite subscribers on the app. I personally, am all for it. Bring it on if true!
@westman98
You cared enough to leave a comment. So caring less would have been saying nothing at all
I'm assuming it'll just be the typical tablet version of the app, considering it's an ARM processor. Hopefully Netflix is soon now. Can't help but notice this is exactly a year after Hulu debuted, exclusivity deal much?
Hopefully this alludes to a new Direct soon where this will be revealed!
Not too big of a deal to me
Netflix would be so sweet on the Switch!!! Make it so!!!
Finally! Only 20 months late....
Great! Being able to upload our gameplay clips directly to YouTube would be awesome!
This is the only reason id undock my switch.
That's cool for the people who use it, but I always have my phone on me so it was never really an issue.
@electrolite77 If you think that's long it took the 3DS 33 months to get YouTube.
So probably right after the next Direct?
I thought the Switch was for gaming, not for voicechat or watching videos? Did we request voicechat or YouTube earlier?
Now Netflix and im a happy man
Lol if it turns out to be YouTube music.
@oji dude, considering the majority of the good games from Wii U are now on Switch you might as well pack it up, buy an extra dock if you don't play on that TV. Turning Switch on and opening youtube will probably be faster than on Wii U for one.
@DancingPants I'm pretty sure if you find the resetera thread where it was mentioned, some users have stated that they have also seen the recommendations on Nintendos website.
I’d also be amazed if Netflix hadn’t been badgering Nintendo to let them release an app for the last year. Maybe ‘Video’ is all coming on one day: Amazon, Netflix, Youtube, NowTV
Why not. I've seen some negative comments on the other sites, and don't understand why shouldn't Switch have an YT app.
Would be cool actually. YouTube is basically all my Xbox One is used for nowadays. Viva la Switch!
Netflix please...
I wonder if the adds can be blocked as well... those can be very annoying
Less YouTube, more Netflix please. But this is good news and a step in the right direction.
Interesting but most likely won't download it. Space is a premium and my iPhone and iPad are already credible portable Youtube players.
It's good news, I haven't missed not having it as have just used the YouTube app on my tv but I will no doubt use this when on the Switch.
Yeaaaahhhhhh, but what about his cousin? Netflix? 🤔
Hey! It's ya boy GrailUK coming at ya with another comment and today it's going to be reacting to the news that YouTube is coming to Switch. So let's jump right into it.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?
Oh my God!!!
Excuse me?
What?
I can't even...
What is going on right now?
What am I looking at???
no...
NO...
No way!
Let's Go!
It's done.
Well that's it for another comment. Thanks for reading. I really love talking with you guys and don't forget to tap that like button like someone playing a mobile phone game. It really helps the comment out. And if you like my comment, you can consider joining my patreon.
Peace.
(Really have no interest in this dross being on my Switch but hey, happy for those who are in someway stimulated by it.)
Still, better to have it than not (It's saved me loads servicing my car!)
Just give us a web browser, for goodness sake. It was such a cool feature on WiiU.
YouTube wouldn’t be so great on the Switch but Netflix would. People can download episodes and have it on the go. I know 9/10 people would want that instead.
Not really for me but options are great
Meh why? Don't people have smart TVs/phones/tablets/computers with it on??? Do we really need another thing???
It'll be useful for me. Will be able to watch YouTube on a bigger screen at lunch in work.
I've made a habit out of watching silly videos on YouTube before going to bed, so this will be nice to have. Netflix will be cool someday but this is definitely better than nothing.
What I really want is streaming - me and my friends are really into the likes of Gungeon and Dead Cells and it’s almost just as entertaining watching runs on those games as it is playing them. Had a blast playing Super Mario Bros 3 online and taking turns, anyone think they’ll ever get streaming on the switch like they do on Xbox?
I'm not too bothered about YouTube on Switch, but give me Netflix and the ability to download episodes for offline viewing like on Android, and I'll be all over it.
@oji I've never had any problems I must say.
This would be great.
I'm hyped for it to come to the Switch but I hope it won't be as silver banana magazine as it was on the 3DS
Well, not that I really need this since I usually use my iPad for watching YouTube on the go but I guess it's a good thing. I'll be installing it on my Switch, certainly.
@liveswired Well, it’s true. So it isn’t the end of the world if it never shows up. And someone needs to get a grip. It’s a game system and a streaming service we’re discussing here. Not world peace
@Alucard83 Well, ads on YouTube are they only way they make money from the app, and it’s also the only way creators get payed (unlsss they do their own advertisements). If you want no ads, get YouTube Red/Premium.
Cool news if true. Doubt we would ever use it or even install in on our switch but great for those who are interested in it!
Not bothered, just use my phone or iPad for YouTube anyway
Makes no difference. Anyone who uses you tube has it on there TV or mobile.
I watch YouTube videos mainly on mobile and sometimes PC.
Would really like the option for Switch though because of the screen size and being able to play them on a normal TV. YouTube on Wii U was great.
Finally. Now my Vita can take a break.
Rip my Wii U then. With Smash Ultimate on the way and this happening it will be completely useless. (Still excited for this and Ultimate though.)
@oji you say the switchs wifi is a joke but i can honestly walk out my door with switch in one hand and my ipad pro in the other and the switch will hold the wifi connection better....and before anyone says must be router for some reasn i got the netgear orbi with 3 satelites
Well I’m happy about this. Now my kids can watch YouTube on their Switch instead of bothering me for my phone.
I just noticed you can downvote on here now
It would be nice to upload some game footage to youtube through the app, but I doubt that'll ever hsppen.
@Camel-Bird While I agree that the Wii U’s usefulness is limited, it’s still the most modern Nintendo console with a functioning Virtual Console, and since Nintendo doesn’t seem to want to harvest money anytime soon by releasing one on Switch, my Wii U is going to be useful for quite some time.
Not going to install it, I don't need it, but anyway...
It's so simple to use YouTube on my phone and cast it to either TV in my house that I doubt I'd ever use it to be completely honest
Just got myself a Switch and thought how nice If I could watch Youtube on the handheld big screen... Great new for me...
Will be nice for quickly looking up gameplay stuff while I'm playing, maybe watch a quick video after playing especially in handheld.
But by and large I use my surface or desktop or TV for watching videos. My consoles tend to be used to play games.
@Silly_G Amen brother!
Thank goodness
Pass the salt.
But I hope it's true. Watching YouTube on the Wii U GamePad and on TV with the Wii U was pretty cool.
Time for me to take a photo of my switch playing a video of Red Dead Redemption and blow up the internets!
Meh.
I can already watch YouTube videos on the TV using my Blu-Ray player, an app on the cable box, my Wii U, or simply through the smart TV feature on the TV itself (and that one is connected via Cat5 rather than wi-fi). I can also watch on my phone (or Chromecast to the TV), or my laptop (which can also Chromecast to the TV, or hook up to the TV via HDMI).
I'm sure I've probably missed a couple of options there. At any rate, most of us probably have more ways to watch YT or Netflix than we know what to do with.
It's good that the Switch will be getting it as well, but I'm hardly excited about it.
Awesome I can't wait to see what all the fuss is about with this YouTube, I only have a TV, Youview box, laptop, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, mobile phones, Wii U and Wii so have no way of ever watching it
At this point I take any video streaming service related announcements with a huge pinch of salt.
YT's probably the only app I'm bothered about on Switch. It'll look awesome on the display! Hope this is true...
about time.........................."Hmm, is that it? Can you think of something more to say"? .........about time.
There's no technical hurdle, just Nintendo being cowardly and draconian
@thesilverbrick Even better when modded
good.
now twich with an option to broadcast.
strange thing is nintendo never saw twitch as an promotional platform for their system.
@Not_Soos
has nothing to do with the switch system.
the switch has a N wifi protocol wich can handle 65mb/ps, the reason estore movies have hickups are the nintendo estore servers.
or internet interference in your home envirement.
Could be handy. If you're on a train/bus with free Wi-Fi and get a notification a Direct is going to start, you could possibly watch on your Switch if your phone's out of action or something.
@PALversusNTSC Give it another Nintendo generation or 2.
People dont actually care about YouTube being on switch do they? There's so many other things that the switch could benefit from. YouTube is probabaly last on that list.
@nintendobynature I would take folders over YouTube anyday.
@RevampedSpider NO! No they don't! You're a liar and a traitor!
Of course there are other options, everyone knows that, but why people like you are so dead set on keeping them off the Switch is beyond me.
@PALversusNTSC I hope you're right about that, all I know is Netflix and YouTube run fine on my chromecast but E-shop videos on the switch are an absolute dog's breakfast 8 times out of 10. Even e-shop browsing sometimes struggles. Certainly put me off signing up for online.
It's about time...
@UmbreonsPapa lol, yeah, looks like my comment was removed. I like to see if I can catch any easily wound up fanboys from time to time.
For what's it's worth I think the Switch lacks power to run any kind streaming service.
@PALversusNTSC Switch lacks the power to run streaming services. It's been proven by Nintendo eshop and the heavily simplified OS.
Also Switch has major bottlenecks running video - a hacker did a streaming test running a 240p @ 10fps video and the system overheated. All cores were maxed. On opening the melted Switch one of the Tegra X1 stickers on the PCB fell off revealing it was a Tegra 3.
@liveswired Funny that because every video I've watched on the eshop has been super sharp, hi res and smooth.
Please let it be true!
And please finally open the floodgates for more apps a gamer might want/need.
@DancingPants Well, it looks pretty legit to me:

As you can see, the other choices on that page have the exact same description, colon included, so what you stated about how the description should be formatted, doesn't seem to be the case at all.
And besides, it's all but certain that YouTube will come to the Switch, so it's probably best to save those grains of salt for something more unlikely than that...
I’m not even going to bother downloading it. I don’t use my Switch docked (I don’t even have the dock anymore) and I am always going to choose my iPad over my Switch for YouTube viewing.
@ThanosReXXX Good point! We’ll have to see what happens.
Everyone here whining about how it doesn't matter cause they already have a smartphone, this is not for you. Its for the millions of kids getting a switch for xmas who dont have smartphones and who's switch will be their main focus of entertainment
Although most people, myself included, have other devices to watch media like YouTube and Netflix, I’d be happy to have YouTube on my switch! It makes me feel like the switch is a more inclusive console
@liveswired
Not sure what kind of ridiculous source you're getting this from. The Wii U lags even worse with eShop video streaming and that console is streaming Netflix and YouTube at native 1080p just fine. Ninty's crappy servers are likely to blame for poor streaming in eShop/News.
Also I've been watching 1080p videos through the hidden browser on my Switch just fine as well. No problem at all.
Either you are trolling or the guy with his 240p10 bs was.
I have my laptop set up next to the monitor that my switch dock is connected to, so I don’t need this. Though, it would be nice. What would be even better is a picture in picture mide for YouTube.
Netflix please. With the ability to download content, like on phones and tablets, for offline viewing.
You want more people buying Switches and Switch content? Then don't make people choose between their tablet or their Switch. Just make the Switch the only device people feel they can bring with them. Right now, I'm bringing two devices with me at all times (3 if you count my phone), and I'd be more than happy to leave my tablet at home if I could use the Switch to watch Netflix on the train ride everyday.
The only way I'd ever use YouTube on the Switch is for looking at hints for when I'm stuck in some games, and this, provided YouTube doesn't require my game to be closed to work (YT would be worthless to me if I can't keep my game running while using it).
But Netflix, now that makes a valuable addition, and would make me use my Switch a lot more.
I would love YouTube on my switch. I’d also love a web browser, backgrounds and Crunchyroll. Is it happening? Maybe. Maybe not.
@Realnoize yeah, I still bring my iPad too, I would love if Nintendo made that pointless.
I'm looking forward to this perk and another reason to retire my Wii U once and for all. Here's to hoping it's true, but I'm not getting my hopes up for this (or Netflix for that matter).
When a new direct comes out, I make it an event, at the moment I have to turn on the Wii U and use the internet browser to go to the very site or use the YouTube app. I would much prefer having the option at least to watch direct on my tv and would like to do it through switch
@RevampedSpider I like having the option. My game console is often more convenient than a PC. And more features on a device is almost never a bad thing.
@RevampedSpider Most phones, mine included, don't connect to the TV with zero effort like the Switch does. Why are you so adamant against this? Do you have some sort of deep seated hatred for having YouTube and other video apps on the Switch? Or are you just too stubborn to admit it is NOT pointless and some people would very much like having the option?
@RevampedSpider No and I never said I couldn't use a phone. But I don't always want to look at that tiny screen and I know I am not alone in that. You are the one dead set on trying to talk me out of wanting YouTube on Switch for reasons I don't understand. You seem so sure that no one would ever want to have video apps on their game console despite all the legit reasons why having that option is nice.
Not everyone has a PC in the same room as their TV, and most TVs still are not smart TVs. Not everyone wants to buy a whole new TV just for that functionality. Further not everyone wants to watch content on their phone when they could watch it on a TV if the app were on their game console. It's nice to have the option to watch things on a phone sure, but it's also nice to have the option to use the game console in the game room, or your PC where ever you have it set up. Personally I think it is much better to have the apps on a game console, than to buy something like an Apple TV or Roku or Amazon Fire Stick or whatever.
Maybe it is pointless for you. Maybe there is never any possible situation where you would like this feature. But I promise you, others like myself would have plenty of use for it.
Still nothing on my switch so I guess it was false
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