YouTube Launches 'Playables' Mobile Games for iOS

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YouTube is the latest company to introduce mobile games that are available outside of the App Store, today announcing the official launch of "Playables" in the YouTube app.

youtube playables
Playables are free games that can be played on the YouTube website or in the YouTube app for iPhone and iPad. There are more than 75 games available, including Angry Birds Showdown and Cut the Rope.

YouTube is focusing on "lightweight, entertaining games," so many of the options are games that are meant to be played for a short period of time rather than longer games that you might find on the ‌App Store‌. Game progress is saved, and YouTube keeps track of all-time best scores.

Playables have been available for a small number of users in select markets as YouTube has tested the feature, but as of today, the games are rolling out to everyone and are more widely available. Playables can be accessed in the iOS app by going to the Explore menu and choosing the Playables section.

Netflix has offered a selection of in-app games since 2021, and has started testing games on the Apple TV as well. Other companies like The New York Times also offer dedicated games.

Tag: YouTube

Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
22 months ago
I saw this cluttering up my YouTube app and immediately thought "WTH is this junk?"

Ugh..
Just more unwanted distracting clutter

(and I'm a YT Premium sub!)

Now I get to click "not interested" on both Shorts and these games .... all the time because they keep showing up
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AlexJaye Avatar
AlexJaye
22 months ago
I have deleted YouTube apps from my iPhone & iPad. Safari is fine. In fact, I've been slowly deleting most apps when the website provides the service as well.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
infinitedreams Avatar
infinitedreams
22 months ago
Definitely more important than fixing a several year old bug where comments you write get auto deleted after exactly 20 seconds for no reason…
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mansplains Avatar
mansplains
22 months ago
This type of bloat pushed me to uninstall YT years ago. Using Safari & Vinegar or Brave aren't perfect, but they aren't riddled with performance issues. My main gripe is inability to set and forget a default playback speed. Never paying for YT Red (yes, not pReMiUm) again.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrkevinfinnerty Avatar
Mrkevinfinnerty
22 months ago
Every bit as baffling as Netflix getting into mobile gaming.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dampfnudel Avatar
dampfnudel
22 months ago
The last thing I need when I open up my YouTube app. More clutter to degrade the experience which I hope is short lived.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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