Over the weekend, I noticed that the YouTube app on my Apple TV was updated with a horrible new UI. To be specific, the thumbnail sizes were much bigger than usual, only displaying two full thumbnails at once. At first, I dismissed it, thinking it might be a one-off glitch. However, even after restarting the YouTube app, the UI remained the same.
It didn’t take long for me to figure out that I wasn’t alone. Many have taken to Reddit to share their thoughts on the unwarranted YouTube UI update on Apple TV devices. The change, which affects the home screen, has left users frustrated as it makes browsing slower and less efficient.
The comically large thumbnails make it hard to see multiple videos at once, and the navigation feels off, with tiles sliding sideways when scrolling down. One user vented, “I hate this so much. So so much. Who thought being able to see only two videos at a time on the recommended screen was a good idea?” Another called the interface “horrible.” Someone else added, “The flow is so jarring to browse and scroll with those huge tiles.”
The frustration doesn’t stop there. People are annoyed by how the app now selects half-hidden tiles, snapping them into place awkwardly. Some say it’s giving them headaches, and others point out that unhighlighted videos turn frustratingly dark.
A few users have noticed extra issues, like a lagging search function and outdated recommendations that stick around too long. Many are sending feedback to YouTube, hoping enough complaints will force a rollback.
YouTube has been experimenting with these massive thumbnails for years at this point. Now, it seems that it’s rolling out to Apple TV users as well on a wider scale than ever before. Given the fact that TV screens are already large, it’s unclear why YouTube thinks that two thumbnails taking up the entire screen is a good idea.
Some hold out hope that it’s just a bug that’ll get patched soon. Others aren’t so sure and fear this might be the new normal for browsing YouTube on Apple TV. Either way, the app’s latest look isn’t winning any fans.
Dwayne Cubbins
711 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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