There are various ways to watch a YouTube video in virtual reality (VR), whether you have a dedicated VR headset or a more makeshift mobile headset. Whatever your method, it’s well worth a try—watching a VR video on YouTube needs to be experienced, not described.
Here is everything you need to know about watching YouTube videos in VR and how to get the best viewing experience.
What’s Required to Watch YouTube in VR?
On mobile, to watch 360 YouTube videos in VR, you need a compatible browser. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera are all suitable. This means Safari, which comes as default on Apple devices, isn’t compatible. You also need a portable VR viewer, like Google Cardboard.
Alternatively, rather than watching VR videos from your mobile device, you can purchase a VR headset and use the YouTube VR app. The VR app is different from the regular YouTube app and requires a dedicated VR headset (like the Oculus Rift, Valve Index, and so on).
Even though both mobile and dedicated VR headsets allow you to take in the beauty of VR, they both have unique characteristics for different scenarios.
The Difference Between Mobile and Dedicated VR Headsets
Mobile headsets are portable devices you can bring with you anywhere and they are compatible with your phone; something like Google Cardboard, for example. They are cheaper than dedicated headsets because of their simplicity.
It only takes a few seconds to set up a mobile headset, so you can watch VR videos in no time. You open your device, queue up the video you want to play, then slip the device in the mobile headset and start watching.
On the other hand, dedicated headsets are much more expensive and require an involved setup process. However, these headsets are more immersive and provide a better overall VR experience compared to mobile. Some VR headsets, like the Oculus Quest, allow you to use them wirelessly, while others require connection to a PC.
How to Watch a YouTube Video in VR
For the ultimate VR experience, you should use a VR headset and download the YouTube VR app. However, if you don’t have one, you can get some of the experience through your mobile. Here’s how to achieve both.
How to Watch YouTube VR Videos With a Mobile Headset
Your mobile device will slip into the headset so you can watch VR videos, but you want to use the correct settings so that it plays correctly. There are several mobile headsets you can use, but since Google owns YouTube, the service makes reference to Google Cardboard.
- Open the YouTube app.
- Select a VR video.
- Tap the Cardboard icon (it looks like a mask).
- Place your phone in the VR viewer.
The video should split into two after tapping the Cardboard icon. This method replicates how the human eye processes images, so once you put your face to the Cardboard device you’ll only see a single image.
If the video you are watching doesn’t already include the Cardboard icon, tap on the three dots to get more options, and then select Cardboard. You should see the icon appear after changing this setting.
How to Watch YouTube VR Videos With a Dedicated Headset
VR headsets don’t require a phone to put into the display area. Your video will feed directly into the device.
- Put on your VR headset.
- Open the YouTube VR app (you may need to download this from your headset’s store if it doesn’t come with the device).
- Select your video.
And that’s it! Because you don’t need to alter your video screen, you can immediately start playing your video to see it in VR.
Watching VR Videos on YouTube Feels Futuristic
You can watch VR videos on YouTube using a mobile or dedicated headset, but for the ultimate immersive experience you should use the latter.
Now that you’ve got a taste of VR, it’s unlikely you’ll want to go back. It feels very futuristic and is a remarkable way to watch some videos.