Top 7 Solutions to Fix YouTube App Lagging on Android and iPhone
Is your YouTube app buffering or constantly lagging on your Android or iPhone? You're not alone! Nothing ruins the user experience more than a streaming app that doesn't perform smoothly. In this article, we will explore some effective solutions to fix the lagging issue on the YouTube app. Let's dive in!
Before We Begin
Before we move on to the solutions, let's start with some basic fixes. First, make sure that your internet connection is stable and fast enough to stream videos. You can check the quality of your internet connection by running a quick speed test on your phone or trying streaming content on another app like Netflix. If your internet connection is unreliable, try playing the video at a lower quality.
If your internet connection is fine, try restarting the YouTube app to clear any temporary glitches that might be causing the lagging issue.
1. Turn Off YouTube's Data Saving Feature (Android)
YouTube's data saving feature can help reduce data usage by disabling certain app features. However, this feature can also impact the app's performance. To disable it, open the YouTube app on your Android phone, tap on your profile picture in the top right corner, select Settings, and then tap on Data saving. Toggle off Data saving mode from the following screen.
2. Disable Battery Saver
Enabling battery saver mode on your phone temporarily reduces its performance, which can lead to lagging or stuttering on the YouTube app. To disable battery saver mode:
- Android: Open the Settings app, go to Battery and device care, then Battery, and toggle off the Power saving option.
- iPhone: Open the Settings app, go to Battery, and disable Low Power Mode.
3. Delete All Downloads From YouTube App
If you have downloaded a large number of videos on the YouTube app, it can quickly fill up your phone's storage space and slow it down. To free up storage space, you can delete all the downloaded videos from the YouTube app. Simply tap on your profile picture icon in the top right corner, select Settings, tap on Downloads, and choose Delete all downloads.
4. Avoid Using VPN
Using a VPN service on your phone can sometimes cause slower internet speeds, resulting in occasional lagging or stuttering while streaming on the YouTube app. Try temporarily disabling the VPN on your Android or iPhone to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, consider switching to a more reliable VPN service. Using a VPN service can also lead to YouTube lagging in Chrome.
5. Clear App Cache (Android)
Over time, the YouTube app collects temporary data on your phone to load content faster and improve performance. However, this data can become outdated and slow down the app. To fix this, you can clear the app cache. Long-press on the YouTube app icon, tap the info icon, go to Storage, and tap on the Clear cache option.
6. Update YouTube App
YouTube regularly updates its Android and iOS apps to address bugs and improve overall performance. If you're using an outdated version of the app, you may experience lagging or crashes. Make sure to keep the YouTube app updated to avoid such issues. If your YouTube music is not downloading, it's also probably because you need to update the app.
7. Use YouTube on Chrome or Safari
If none of the above solutions work for you, you can try using YouTube in your web browser. The mobile version of the site offers most of the app features and closely resembles the app's interface. Are your YouTube videos not starting from the beginning? Switching browsers will definitely help.
No More Lagging
Dealing with lagging issues on the YouTube app is a common problem. By following the solutions mentioned above, you can fix the lagging issue on your Android or iPhone and enjoy a seamless streaming experience. Happy watching!

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”