YouTube App Finally Getting a Sleep Timer
YouTube users may soon be able to doze off to their favorite videos without worrying about battery drain or autoplay. Recent code analysis suggests the YouTube app is preparing to introduce a much-requested sleep timer feature.
Key Points:
- Sleep timer functionality discovered in YouTube app code
- Users will be able to set custom timer duration
- Feature already exists in YouTube Music and competitor apps
Long-Awaited Addition
For years, YouTube viewers have relied on workarounds like third-party apps or system-level timers to automatically stop video playback. The lack of a native sleep timer has been a notable omission, especially compared to other streaming services.
Android Authority reports that version 19.25.33 of the YouTube Android app contains code referencing a sleep timer. This suggests the feature is actively in development, though no official release date has been announced.
How It Will Work
Based on the discovered code, the sleep timer will allow users to:
- Set a custom duration in hours and minutes
- View remaining time via a notification
- Reset the timer or continue watching when it expires
It's unclear if an end of video option will be available, similar to YouTube Music's end of song setting.
Broader Improvements
This update follows other recent YouTube enhancements, including a stable volume feature for Android and Google TVs. The stable volume function automatically adjusts audio levels to provide a more consistent listening experience across videos.
While the sleep timer will be a welcome addition for many, its effectiveness for music listeners remains to be seen. Audiophiles may prefer unaltered playback for certain content.
As YouTube continues to evolve its feature set, the introduction of a sleep timer demonstrates the platform's responsiveness to user feedback and its commitment to improving the viewing experience across devices.
Update: Monday June 24 08:11
While the sleep timer feature is in development, its release timeline remains uncertain. The feature was discovered in version 19.25.33 of the YouTube Android app through an APK teardown. It's worth noting that similar features can take considerable time to implement, as evidenced by the sleep timer in YouTube Music, which took over 9 months to release after initial discovery. The feature is expected to be available on both Android and iOS platforms when it eventually launches. Users will likely need to wait for an official announcement from Google regarding the specific release date of this new functionality in a future YouTube app update.
Update: Sunday June 30 10:28
YouTube is also developing other features to enhance user experience and monetization. The platform is testing custom playlist thumbnails, allowing users to upload their own artwork for playlist covers. This long-awaited feature will offer greater personalization and branding opportunities for content creators. Additionally, YouTube is experimenting with server-side ad injection, a move aimed at combating ad-blocking software. This controversial update could make it harder for users to block advertisements but may impact user experience and streaming speeds. These developments highlight YouTube's efforts to balance user-friendly improvements with monetization strategies.