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4 Fixes for YouTube Links Not Opening in App on Android and iPhone

by Pankil Shah

Is your Android or iPhone opening links to YouTube videos in the browser rather than the app? While you can manually copy the link and paste it into the YouTube in-app search to quickly access the video, that’s not the most convenient solution. Apply the following tips to fix the YouTube links not opening in the app issue on your Android or iPhone.

Fix YouTube Links Not Opening in the App on Android

Typically, when you tap a link to a YouTube video or short, your Android automatically opens it in the YouTube app rather than your web browser. However, if that isn’t happening, there are several ways to fix the problem.

1. Allow the YouTube App to Open Supported Links

If the YouTube app on your phone is not configured to open supported links, YouTube links may continue to open in the browser. Here’s what you can do to change that.

1. Long press on the YouTube app icon and tap the info icon from the menu that appears.

Open YouTube App Info

2. Tap on Set as default and enable the toggle next to Open supported links in the following menu. 

Allow YouTube to Open Supported Links in the App

You can tap on Supported web addresses to check which URLs the YouTube app can open.

Check YouTube Open Supported Links on Android

2. Configure Android to Open Links in Apps

If YouTube links still don’t open in the app or if you face similar issues with other apps as well, you should change your phone’s default method for opening links. Here’s how to do it. 

1. Open the Settings app and scroll down to tap on Apps.

Apps Menu on Android Phone

2. Tap on Choose default apps and select Opening links from the following menu.

Default Apps Settings on Android

3. Enable the toggle next to Open links in apps

Open Links in Apps on Android

3. Configure Phone to Open Links in Other Apps (Samsung Phones Only)

On your Galaxy phone, YouTube links may open in the Samsung Internet browser instead of the app if the browser isn’t allowed to open links to other apps. To prevent this, you need to change the default behavior of the Samsung Internet browser by following the steps below.

1. Open the Settings app on your phone and tap on Apps

2. Scroll through the list or use the search option at the top to locate Samsung Internet on the list. Then, tap on it. 

Samsung Internet on Galaxy Phone

3. On the App info page, tap on Samsung Internet settings

Samsung Internet Settings on Galaxy Phone

4. Scroll down to tap on Useful features and then enable the toggle next to Open links in other apps.

Configure Samsung Internet to Open Supported Links in Other the App

Fix YouTube Links Not Opening in App on iPhone

Unlike Android, you cannot configure the YouTube app on the iPhone to open supported links. Fortunately, it is possible to make YouTube links open in the app on your iPhone with a quick workaround. Here are the steps for the same.

1. On your iPhone, tap and hold any YouTube link and select Copy.

Copy Link on iPhone

2. Next, open the Notes app on your iPhone. 

3. Tap the compose icon in the bottom right corner and paste the copied YouTube link into your note. 

Create a Note on iPhone

4. Long press on the link and select Open in YouTube from the resulting menu. 

Open Link in YouTube App on iPhone

And that’s pretty much it. Now, any time you tap a YouTube link on your iPhone, it will automatically open in the app rather than in your browser. 

FAQs

1. How do I share a YouTube video with a specific start time?

To send a YouTube video at a specific timestamp, you can add the time to the end of the video’s URL in the format ?t=[number of seconds]. For example, if you want to share a video at the timestamp 1 minute and 30 seconds, you would add ?t=90s to the end of the URL.

2. Can I create a QR code for a YouTube video?

Yes, you can make a QR Code to share YouTube videos using online services.

Let the Links Lead the Way

The YouTube app offers a far better user experience compared to its mobile website. Thankfully, you don’t have to settle for watching YouTube videos in your phone’s browser. Once you apply the above tips, YouTube links should open directly in the app on your Android or iPhone.

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