Get started with YouTube for XR

Extended Reality (XR) is a broad term for technologies that blend the real and digital worlds. XR includes Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). XR aims to enhance or replace our perception of reality through digital elements and immersive experiences.

The YouTube app on the Android XR platform allows you to find and watch YouTube content, with added support designed to offer an immersive and spatial viewing experience.

You will be automatically signed in using the Google Account you signed up for Android XR with. You can add multiple Google accounts and sign out of your account.

Watch content

What type of content can be watched on YouTube on Android XR

You will be able to watch videos, NFL Sunday Ticket, live streams, and Shorts. While 3D videos are available, 3D movies are not available on Android XR.

How to browse videos

To browse with the search bar, select the search bar, this will bring up a keyboard. You can use your navigation bar to browse Home, Shorts, Subscriptions, Movies, and Downloads.

How to search for spatial videos

Spatial videos provide a fully-spatialized experience while on YouTube. Beneath the search bar there are filters for finding spatial videos in 360, 3D, and VR180.

How to interact with content

In home space, comment previews and likes will be on the right side of the video. In full space, comment previews and likes appear on panels on either side of the video.

Note: Writing comments is not enabled on YouTube in the Android XR app.

Upload content

How to upload content to YouTube on XR devices

YouTube supports MV-HEVC video uploads, meaning 3D videos recorded via eligible devices can be uploaded to YouTube and watched on YouTube on XR devices. While YouTube on Android XR doesn't support video upload, you can still upload videos on your device browser on YouTube.com. Learn more about how to Upload videos to YouTube.

Modes

Environment switching

Home space

This is the default space when entering the Android XR app. Home space runs multiple apps side-by-side; Apps integrate with your everyday tasks, coexisting alongside other apps. Every app in home space is 2D.

Note: All Android apps are supported in this space.

Full space

A single app takes center stage, while other apps are minimized.

To enter full space in YouTube on Android XR:

Select the YouTube video you’d like to watch
Select "Full space" in the top right corner of the video

To exit full space and return to Home space in YouTube on Android XR:

Select the "Home space" button

Learn how to navigate on your Android XR device.

Watching purchased content on YouTube

Watching movies on Android XR

To purchase a movie, you must navigate to YouTube.com on your browser or mobile YouTube App. From either platform you may purchase your selected content. Once purchased, you can watch it on YouTube on Android XR. Your purchased movies will appear in the Movies tab of your navigation bar.

Learn more about purchasing movies and TV on YouTube.

Access NFL Sunday Ticket on Android XR

Out of network NFL Sunday Ticket games will be available based on your location settings. Learn more about what games are available to you on NFL Sunday Ticket.

To sign up, you must exit the YouTube app and navigate to YouTube.com in your browser or mobile YouTube app.

Learn more about how to sign up for NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube.

How to turn on location sharing on Android XR

To enable Location Sharing in the YouTube app:

Select the video you want to watch. Access to some types of content is restricted based on your location.
You may get a notification in the YouTube app asking you to verify your location.
Make sure "Allow only while using the app" or "Ask every time" is selected.

Learn more about how to manage your location sharing in Android XR.

Privacy and Security

To report content that violates YouTube’s Community Guidelines, visit Report inappropriate videos, channels & other content on YouTube.

Device help and support

To learn more about how to use Android XR, visit support.google.com/android-xr. For Samsung Galaxy XR device support visit www.samsung.com/support/contact/.