YouTube for mobile users is set to receive an animated loading screen that was first seen on Android TV in late 2022. The animation is part of an identity update that is aimed at creating an engaging and easily recognizable brand image. This update is also a step towards creating a uniform UI across Google's apps, products, and services.

The loading screen animation is inspired by old CRT TVs and consists of a new loading bar icon that includes the familiar YouTube play-head and a red progress bar. The “Play button” icon pops into view, while the actual play icon slides in to complete the YouTube logo we all know and recognize. Interestingly, “YouTube” does not appear in text form alongside the classic logo.

This new loading screen for YouTube on Android smartphones lacks the accompanying startup sound that plays when cold opening the application on your set-top box or Chromecast. The startup process has been trimmed to create consistency when using YouTube on mobile or Android TV. The new loading screen will only appear if you have not used the YouTube application for a long period or have recently updated.

Google has been working on creating a uniform UI across its apps, products, and services, and this identity update is another step in that direction. The company has also been introducing new features to its Premium service users, including higher quality video for web and iOS users, support for co-watching videos on FaceTime through Apple's SharePlay, and other controls for managing their queue on mobile devices.

YouTube's Premium service users can now enjoy an enhanced bitrate version of 1080p HD video quality starting on iOS, with an experiment coming to the Web soon too. This provides an even higher video quality experience to its Premium members.

The YouTube app on Android TV was upgraded with an animation and a sound effect on the loading screen late last year. The company said that the idea behind the sound was “to have something vibrant, engaging, and easily recognizable.” According to a report, the same animation is coming to the app on mobiles.

The “vibrant new branding” that plays when YouTube starts up is basically an identification “so that as soon as you hear it – even if you’re turned away from your TV or device – you know that something’s about to pop up on YouTube.”

In conclusion, the new loading screen animation for YouTube on mobile devices is a step towards creating a uniform UI across Google's apps, products, and services. The animation is inspired by old CRT TVs and creates consistency when using YouTube on mobile or Android TV. With the addition of new features to its Premium service, YouTube continues to provide an exceptional video experience to its users. As the world continues to become more digital, these updates are necessary to keep up with the evolving needs of users.

References:

1. YouTube mobile gains animated loading screen from Android TV

2. YouTube mobile gets Android TV inspired animated loading screen

3. YouTube mobile gets animated loading screen inspired by Android TV4. YouTube mobile app getting Android TV-like animated loading screen: Report