John Paul M. Joaquin Tech 05.04.2022 06:May AM EDT

YouTube Go to Retire on August 2022 | Here's What We Need to Know

Technology is an ever-changing thing to cater to the needs and demands of the people. For instance, when the Ford Model T was being sold, it had no airbags and seatbelts to ensure the safety of its driver and the passengers within. Modern Ford vehicles now have Alexa, parking assistance, and even self-driving technology, while the Ford Model T was made obsolete.

The same is true with YouTube and YouTube Go.

YouTube recently announced it is retiring the lite version of its main YouTube app, YouTube Go, on August 2022 due to the app's obsolesce.

YouTube previously released YouTube Go in 2016.

YouTube Go Sunsetting Details

According to YouTube's announcement, YouTube Go was designed for viewers in locations where the internet is unstable and/or expensive. It is also made for devices that are too low-end to access the full experience of the main YouTube app.

However, YouTube has since invested in improvements to the main app to make it perform better in such locations while also being inclusive to its entire community regardless of their device.

For the latter part, YouTube stated that it had improved the main app's performance for entry-level devices or those who watch videos on the main app on slower or unstable networks, along with developing additional controls for the main app that help those who watch videos on data mode.

These additional user controls will be coming at a later date.

The main app also offers a far better experience compared to its lite version, like not allowing users to post comments, upload content, or switch to Dark Mode, per Slash Gear.

It was on these grounds that YouTube decided to sunset YouTube Go. Simply put, the main YouTube app has received (or will receive) the necessary improvements that make YouTube Go unnecessary.

YouTube encourages everyone who still uses YouTube Go to download and install the main YouTube app before the August 2022 deadline to continue their YouTube experience there.

YouTube Go History

According to Engadget's report, YouTube Go, which was only 10MB big, was initially available in India and Indonesia in its beta mode in 2016. YouTube would later officially release the app to other countries in 2017. The company eventually rolled the app to more countries in 2018. By then, the app has become available to over 130 countries.

With Google retiring YouTube Go, 9to5Google expressed in its article its concern on whether Google's Android Go will still be needed in the future.

Android Go is touted as the go-to operating system for low-cost phones, optimizing it by 30%, according to Google's announcement last year.

A separate Engadget report said that Android Go would allow low-end or cheaper phones to run faster, use less space, converse battery life, and other performance tweaks.