• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AppleToolBox

Tools and Fixes for Mac, iPad, iPhone & iWatch

Search posts

  • About
  • Contact

CONNECT WITH US

CATEGORIES

  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • iPod
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac/MacBook
  • AirPods
  • Apple TV
  • News
  • Apple Services
  • HomePod
  • Reviews

SITE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Search posts

You are here: Home / iPhone / How to open YouTube links in Safari instead of the YouTube App in iOS

How to open YouTube links in Safari instead of the YouTube App in iOS

By SK 9 comments Last updated December 30, 2022

Apple removed the built-in YouTube app from iOS 6. Still, the YouTube app is one of the most popular iOS apps. If you have already installed the official YouTube app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch; every time you tap a YouTube video link, the YouTube app will open. Your device will automatically launch the YouTube app unless you remove it.

You may want to watch a YouTube video in Safari even though the Youtube app can offer more features than the Safari browser. For instance, you may want to bookmark a YouTube link, or you may just want to listen to videos in the background.

If you like to watch the YouTube videos directly in mobile Safari, here is how you can stop your iOS device from opening up the app.

For iOS 10, see our article on How-To-Play YouTube Videos in the Background using iOS10

There are five methods to do this:

Method 1

1-Press and hold the YouTube link until you see a pop-up message asking you to copy.

2-Select “Copy” to copy the link.

3-Launch a new Safari Tab.

4-Paste the URL into the address bar. Now you need to replace replace “www” with “m (https://www.youtube.com/watch? >> https://m.youtube.com/watch?).  Then tap Go.

Method 2

1-Type youtube.com in the address bar.

2-You will see a message saying “Open this page in ‘YouTube.'” Tap Cancel.

3-Enter youtube.com again in the address bar and now YouTube page will open.

Method 3

1-Launch Safari.

2- Type www.youtube.com/?app=desktop and tap go.

3-This will take you to the desktop version of the YouTube site. You may want to use this method if you are using an iPad because of screen size.

Method 4

1-Open Safari.

2.Enter m.youtube.com. This is the mobile version of the site.

3-This will take you to the mobile version of the website. This method works because the mobile site does not redirect to the app.

Method 5

Simply remove the YouTube app.

In a Rush? Check out our video!

How to Play YouTube Videos in the Background

See also: How to view a full desktop website in iOS 9 Safari

sudz - apple
SK

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

Related Posts:

  • How to Manage Bookmarks in Safari on iOS and Mac
    How to Manage Bookmarks in Safari on iOS and Mac
  • iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them - Troubleshooting Guide
    iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them -…
  • Apple Watch Tips and Tricks for 2023
    Apple Watch Tips and Tricks for 2023
  • Mac Tips For New Users In 2023
    Mac Tips For New Users In 2023
  • The Best iPhone And Mac Shortcuts For Beginners
    The Best iPhone And Mac Shortcuts For Beginners
  • iOS 16 Tips and Tricks: The Definitive List
    iOS 16 Tips and Tricks: The Definitive List
  • The Best Weight Loss Apps For iPhone In 2021
    The Best Weight Loss Apps For iPhone In 2021
  • How To Start Using Regex With The Shortcuts App
    How To Start Using Regex With The Shortcuts App
  • AirPods Pro---The Complete Guide
    AirPods Pro---The Complete Guide

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Show 9 Comments

  1. Bernard miraflor says

    December 4, 2017 at 6:04 PM

    Why did not to download of YOUTUBE in my apps?

    Reply
  2. PJ says

    April 9, 2017 at 9:33 AM

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This has been driving me crazy! I bookmark a lot of youtube videos in Safari for future use!

    Reply
  3. Mastewal says

    January 14, 2017 at 4:43 AM

    It’s good to know.

    Reply
  4. candy boy says

    December 1, 2016 at 10:23 AM

    the man with good character

    Reply
  5. Finn says

    October 17, 2016 at 1:58 AM

    Same as steven

    Reply
  6. Steven Johnson says

    October 5, 2016 at 5:32 PM

    I got the iOS 10 and now it’s doing the opposite and I want it to stop. I want the links to open in the app.

    Reply
  7. No Intrest In Being Contacted says

    September 20, 2016 at 8:58 AM

    “Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I’m not to sure about the universe.” – Albert Einstein

    Better yet why not

    Open in YT or Cancel (Opens it in safari WB)

    This way it also defeats when its embedded on a site thats not youtube.com

    Reply
  8. Irritated Apple Customer says

    September 13, 2016 at 5:56 PM

    This is all very well, but it is really annoying. Just let me watch the bloody video in the web browser. Why the hell should the choice be between ‘Open in Web Browser’ or ‘Cancel’?! It should just be a choice between ‘Open’ or ‘Open in YouTube App’

    Reply
  9. T. Brown says

    March 24, 2016 at 11:12 AM

    The m.youtube.com trick is a nice one. Thanks!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • How to Add Extra Accounts in Reminders on iOS, iPad, and Mac
  • How to Fix Mac Quick Look Not Working on MacBook and iMac
  • How to Change the Expiration Time for Audio Messages in iMessage
  • How to Change Which Apps Have Access to Your Microphone on Mac
  • How to Add Work and Home Locations in Apple Maps
  • How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Word on Mac: 2 Best Methods

Connect with us

Footer

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

GUIDES

  • iOS 13 & iPadOS
  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • App Store
  • iTunes
  • FaceTime
  • iMessage
  • Siri
  • Books and iBooks
  • Game Center
  • AirPlay

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • FeedBurner
  • YouTube

© Copyright 2010-2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved

This site and its content are in no way affiliated or endorsed by Apple, Inc. · Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited