YouTube Updates iOS App With Support for Apple AirPlay Feature

Apple TV was left behind in April when YouTube rolled out its TV video service. The apps it made available were only for iPhone and iPad. Although YouTube TV has yet to launch a tvOS version, an update on its iOS app released on Tuesday offers support for the AirPlay feature of Apple on iOS.

9To5Mac reports that with the AirPlay feature, users can now send video and audio from an iPad or iPhone to an Apple TV on the same Wi-Fi network. Admittedly, it is not easy to use compared to launching an app on Apple TV. However, for now, it is a workaround solution for subscribers of YouTube TV, Tech Portal notes.

The same method that the Apple AirPlay feature uses has been used by Amazon Prime Video subscribers for years.However, Amazon plans to introduce an Apple TV app as early as June at the WWDC. But beyond the limits of the update, the bigger hurdle for YouTube TV to make the service appealing to more customers is its limited scope. It is only available in Chicago, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.

Until the iOS update that provided support for the Apple AirPlay feature, Chromecast was the only method to broadcast content from the app to a TV set, according to MacRumors. The AirPlay support changed that by making YouTube TV content available via Apple TV.

The $35 YouTube TV is a standalone streaming service. Its focus is on a mobile first experience by providing access to ABC, Fox, CW, ESPN, USA, CBS, NBC, Disney, FX and other major cable channels, alongside video content found on standard YouTube. Showtime and other premium channels are available for an additional fee. With the support for the Apple AirPlay feature, new customers may want to give the YouTube TV service a try which includes a free one-month trial period.