Sure, YouTube is incredibly easy to use, but there are still ways to level up your video viewing.
1. Slow your roll
Want to scrutinize each moment of a makeup tutorial or sports clip? Switch to slo-mo and go as slow as 0.25x—or crank it up to a brisk but still intelligible 1.5x.
Where to find it: Tap the gear icon on a video as it’s playing, then select “Playback speed.”
2. Play games
You can do more than watch gaming live streams on YouTube—you also can get in on the action (no streaming required). The games on the app’s Playables tab run the gamut from Angry Birds to Solitaire to Going Balls, which feels like bowling in the clouds.
Where to find it: Tap the main menu icon and select Playables to find the full selection.
3. Eradicate ads
A YouTube Premium subscription lets you stream ad-free, download videos for offline viewing, watch with picture-in-picture mode, and try experimental new features. The lower-priced Premium Lite offering removes ads on almost everything except YouTube Shorts and Music.
Where to find it: Tap your account icon on the lower right, then tap YouTube Premium.
4. Keep little ones on track
When your kids are watching educational content, you can lock the screen so they don’t drift over to videos you haven’t approved.
Where to find it: When a video is in full-screen mode, tap the gear icon, then select “Lock screen.”
5. Take a break
Want the app to alert you when you’ve been watching for a while? Set up reminders to have the app nudge you to take a break. Or set a daily limit—between 15 minutes and two hours—for how long you watch Shorts.
Where to find it: Tap your account icon on the lower right, then the gear icon to open the app’s settings. Under “Time management,” toggle on “Remind me to take a break.” The Shorts limit is right below.