SUMMARY
- There’s no official YouTube app for Mac, but you can install it as a Progressive Web App (PWA) through your browser.
- Most compatible browsers offer easy installation steps.
Looking for a YouTube Music app for your Mac? You won’t find it in the app store, but don’t worry; You can easily install YouTube on your Mac as a desktop app directly from your browser.
Can I Download the YouTube App on my MacBook?
Yes, you can download the YouTube app on your MacBook. However, it is not a native app available on the App Store. It is only available for download as a progressive web app (PWA). This PWA installation feature is mostly possible with Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers.
First of all, what is a PWA?
A PWA is an enhanced version of the web applications we all know and is a type of application somewhere between a normal web application and a native application. PWAs are meant to be fast, offer functionalities that websites can’t, and feel more like native apps to use. They also work across different platforms.
YouTube is available on macOS and Windows as a Progressive Web App (PWA). You can download the YouTube app (PWA) and it’ll offer benefits it offers as a website with those it can do as an application installed on a device.
YouTube PWA Features & Benefits
The first thing to note about the YouTube PWA is that it looks, feels, and behaves very much like the website. This, of course, is because it is built using the same web technologies. It’s snappier to use, because it only has to load content rather than the full page architecture every time a link is clicked, and it has more space because it does not have to display the address bar and menu bar of a web browser.
So, is it worth installing on Mac? Well, installing the YouTube application on your MacBook has certain advantages. The investment of time is minimal and the same applies if a user decides to uninstall the app. There’s also the speed benefit and, for those who use YouTube a lot on Mac, it can be nice to be able to launch it from the Spotlight Search and do so into its own window (rather than having to search for tabs). In addition, YouTube app notifications are better when compared to notifications for YouTube’s website. You can also download YouTube videos for offline viewing if you subscribe to YouTube Premium.
And with Apple’s recent decision to stop blocking PWAs in the EU, now everybody can do this simple trick and install a YouTube app on their Macbooks.
How to Install YouTube on Your Mac
You can install several copies of YouTube on Mac from different browsers. However, we recommend installing only one from your favorite browser to avoid confusion and ensure a consistent experience.
To install YouTube on Mac, visit the official YouTube website in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or any browser that supports PWA installation. We’ll be focusing on Chrome and Edge for this guide, but you’ll find that the installation steps aren’t very different across browsers.
Please ensure that you log in to your YouTube account before you follow these steps. Otherwise, you might have to log in every time to the YouTube app or not have a seamless experience.
How to Install YouTube on Your Mac via Google Chrome
- Launch the Chrome browser on your Mac and navigate to youtube.com
- Youll see an icon on the right side of the URL bar. Click the icon.
- Click the Install button in the “Install app?” pop-up.
- The YouTube PWA will instantly open. If it doesn’t, open the Launchpad and open the YouTube app.
That’s all you need to do to install YouTube on your Mac. You can now go ahead and watch videos and stream music (YouTube Music) using the YouTube app on your MacBook.
How to Install YouTube on Your Mac via Microsoft Edge
- Open Microsoft edge browser on your Mac.
- Go to YouTube.com
- Click on an installation icon in the search bar. A popup will appear asking if you want to install the application.
- Click install to start installing YouTube on your Mac.
Once the installation is complete, you’ll be able to find YouTube using Launchpad or Spotlight search on your Mac.
Clicking the app icon will open YouTube as a desktop app. For instance, you can upload and manage your music on the YouTube PWA.
hope this article helps you download the YouTube app for Mac. Please let us know in the comments below if you have any other questions.