Redesigning YouTube Kids for a Better Viewing Experience

The Introduction of Portrait Mode

The YouTube Kids app has recently undergone a significant transformation. It now supports portrait mode, offering users a different viewing option compared to the traditional widescreen landscape. This change is set to enhance the user experience and provide more flexibility.

Previously, the app was limited to widescreen landscape viewing. However, with this update, kids can enjoy browsing through videos in a portrait format. This new feature allows for a more immersive and personalized viewing experience, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of young users.

The Hefty Visual and Functional Refresh

YouTube Kids launched nearly a decade ago, and its look has remained relatively unchanged since its last major redesign in 2017. But now, it's getting a much-needed visual and functional refresh. The app now looks less toy-like and incorporates elements from the recent design changes in the main YouTube app.

At the top of the app, there is a newly designed carousel for familiar content filters. These filters are clearly labeled by topic, making it easier for kids to find the content they are interested in. Whether it's gaming, shows, music, or the educationally inclined "Explore" tab, everything is easily accessible.

Changes to the Navigation Bar

Some of the shortcuts that used to be at the top of the app, such as Home, Search, and Profile, have been moved to a new navigation bar at the bottom. This new layout provides a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.

A new "Your Stuff" page has also been added to the navigation bar. This dedicated portal allows users to find content that they have downloaded, shared, or previously watched. It simplifies the process of accessing and managing personal content.

Parental controls and other settings remain in dedicated views, with shortcuts always accessible in the upper right corner next to the Cast button. This ensures that parents can easily manage and customize the app according to their preferences.