You Can Watch YouTube On Switch 2, But It Isn’t Pretty
Nintendo Switch 2 users have long awaited an official YouTube application, but the console has been without one for nearly a year since its release. While Google has not yet released a native YouTube app for the console, the gaming community has discovered an unconventional workaround.
Reddit user JampyL discovered that the indie game Super Animal Royale can be used to access YouTube through the console’s web browser. The game’s main menu features a scrolling feed of tertiary information including news stories and related videos. By selecting a video and choosing the “watch on YouTube” option, users are directed to an external browser application where YouTube can be accessed.
Although the workaround is free and technically functional, it comes with significant limitations and is described as inelegant and impractical. The solution requires navigating through a game menu rather than using a dedicated app, resulting in a poor user experience. Given the high demand for YouTube functionality on Switch 2, as evidenced by numerous social media requests, this browser-based workaround provides a temporary option for users who desperately want to watch YouTube on their console—though it is not recommended for regular use.
The lack of an official YouTube app remains a notable gap in Switch 2’s software ecosystem, despite the console’s strong gaming lineup. Whether Google will eventually release a native application for the platform remains uncertain.