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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The standalone YouTube Gaming app was retired in 2019, but gaming videos and live streams did not leave YouTube. The company first announced a planned March 2019 retirement; a later schedule set May 30, 2019, as the date support for the app and its former website ended.
When did the YouTube Gaming app shut down?
YouTube announced on September 18, 2018, that it planned to retire the standalone app in March 2019 and move its gaming focus to the main YouTube service. In a later notice posted May 13, 2019, TeamYouTube gave a more detailed transition schedule: the app was removed from app stores on April 30, subscriptions were due to migrate on May 14, and support for the app and former service website ended May 30. The May notice was an official Help Community post available in Russian; its dates are presented here as a translation.
The March date was the original plan, not the final support-end date. The later May schedule updated the transition milestones.
Transition timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| June 12, 2015 | Google announced YouTube Gaming as a dedicated gaming app and website. Google’s launch announcement said the service would begin in the United States and United Kingdom. |
| September 18, 2018 | YouTube announced a gaming destination at youtube.com/gaming and said the standalone app was planned for retirement in March 2019. YouTube’s announcement explained the shift to the main service. |
| April 30, 2019 | The app was removed from Google Play and Apple’s App Store, according to the May TeamYouTube notice. Existing installations retained access temporarily. |
| May 14, 2019 | YouTube Gaming subscriptions were scheduled to appear automatically in the main YouTube subscriptions feed. |
| May 30, 2019 | Support ended for the standalone app and former service website. |
Could you still watch gaming videos on YouTube?
Yes. The shutdown applied to the separate YouTube Gaming app and website, not to gaming as a YouTube content category. YouTube directed viewers to its main service and introduced a gaming destination at youtube.com/gaming. The standalone app’s retirement therefore did not mean gaming videos or livestreams were being removed from YouTube.
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- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
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What happened to YouTube Gaming subscriptions?
According to the May 2019 TeamYouTube notice, subscriptions made through YouTube Gaming were to appear automatically in the subscriptions feed on the regular YouTube app and website beginning May 14, 2019. This was a move into the main YouTube experience rather than a shutdown of the channels viewers had subscribed to.
What was the YouTube Gaming app?
Announced in 2015, YouTube Gaming was a dedicated place to find game videos, livestreams, creators and game-specific pages. Google said it planned pages for more than 25,000 games, alongside collections, channel subscriptions, livestream notifications, recommendations and broadcasting tools. Its launch announcement specified an initial rollout in the United States and United Kingdom; it does not establish a complete list of countries where the app later operated.
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YouTube later characterized the app as a place to experiment with gaming discovery and creator features. The company said features developed or tested through the gaming experience—including Game Pages, Super Chat, Channel Memberships, Dark Theme and livestreaming features—were brought into or developed for the main YouTube service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why did YouTube retire the standalone app?
YouTube said its main platform reached more gamers than the dedicated app, so it wanted to focus gaming efforts where it could reach the wider community. That was the company’s stated rationale. In its 2018 announcement, YouTube reported that more than 200 million people watched gaming videos and streams on YouTube each day, and that over 50 billion hours of gaming content had been watched in the preceding 12 months. Those are YouTube’s historical company figures for 2018, not current audience measurements.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
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