YouTube Links Not Opening in App iPhone | Most Effective Fixes

If YouTube links aren’t opening in the YouTube app on your iPhone, it’s usually caused by a setting, app association issue, or Safari/Chrome behavior.

Here are the most effective fixes, starting with the ones that work most often:

Most Effective Fixes

✅ 1. Make Sure “Open in App” Is Enabled

Safari usually shows a small banner at the top that says “Open in YouTube” the first time you tap a link. If you dismissed it, Safari may stop offering it.

Fix:

• Open Safari.

• Visit youtube.com.

• Pull down slightly to reveal the Smart App Banner at the top.

• Tap Open (or Open in App).

If it doesn’t appear, continue below.

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✅ 2. Remove Restrictions That Block App Links

Sometimes content restrictions block deep linking.

Go to:
Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions

• Make sure restrictions are off
  or

• Allow Apps → Allow All Apps

✅ 3. Reset Default Browser App Setting

If you’re using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, YouTube links may open in the browser instead of the YouTube app.

Try this:

Step A — Set Safari as default, test it

• Settings → Safari → Set as default browser

• Tap a YouTube link again.

Step B — Set YouTube app as default for opening supported links
(Some iOS versions hide this, but try:)

• Settings → YouTube → Look for Default Apps or “Allow Link Access”

• Make sure it is enabled.

✅ 4. Clear Safari Website Data

Corrupted Safari data can break “open in app” behavior.

Go to:
Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data

Then try a YouTube link again.

✅ 5. Reinstall the YouTube App

This resets the deep link association.

1. Delete the YouTube app

2. Restart your iPhone

3. Reinstall YouTube from the App Store

Try opening a link again.

✅ 6. Disable “Open Links in Background” in Safari

If Safari opens links in the background, it won’t hand them off to the YouTube app.

Go to:
Settings → Safari → Open Links → In Background → Turn OFF

✅ 7. If Using Chrome

Chrome often forces YouTube links to stay inside the browser.

Fix:

• Open Chrome

• Tap ⋮ (menu) → Settings

• Look for Open Links in Apps

• Turn it ON

(If you don’t see the option, updating Chrome will often bring it back.)