YouTube's Android playback speed is malfunctioning at present
YouTube Fixes Playback Speed Issue on Android App
Users of YouTube on Android have been relieved to find a solution to a bug that prevented them from adjusting the playback speed of videos beyond the default 1x setting. The issue, which affected both free and Premium accounts, did not impact the web or iOS app versions of YouTube.
The problem occurred when users attempted to change the playback speed using the gear icon. Although users could tap other speed options, the change would not stick, and the video would revert to normal speed. A temporary workaround involved a tap-and-hold method to temporarily double the speed, but this was not a practical fix.
YouTube officially acknowledged the problem on their community forums, stating their teams were investigating the issue. The glitch surfaced around August 5, 2025, and was widely reported across Reddit and tech news sites.
How it was fixed:
YouTube released a fix by August 6, 2025, restoring the ability to adjust playback speed normally on Android. After the fix, YouTube advised users to restart the app to ensure the correction took effect. Closing and reopening the YouTube app resolved the issue for most users.
It is important to note that the fix does not affect other features such as the AI-powered 'Jump Ahead' feature and YouTube Shorts' GenAI tools, which are not related to the playback speed issue on YouTube for Android. These features are also separate from YouTube Music's playback speed controls.
In summary, the fix restored full playback speed control functionality on Android devices, bringing relief to users who had been affected by the bug in the Android app.
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | Nature of issue | Playback speed selections via gear icon on Android app didn't save | | Affected users | Android app users (free and Premium accounts) | | Not affected | YouTube website, iOS app, YouTube Music playback controls | | Temporary workaround | Tap-and-hold on video for 2x speed, which reverts when released | | Fix timeline | Bug appeared ~August 5, 2025; fixed and confirmed by August 6, 2025 | | Resolution steps | Official fix deployed; advised users to restart app |
[1] TechCrunch. (2025, August 5). YouTube users report issues with playback speed on Android app. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/05/youtube-users-report-issues-with-playback-speed-on-android-app/
[2] The Verge. (2025, August 5). YouTube Android app users can't adjust playback speed. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/08/05/22404181/youtube-android-app-playback-speed-bug
[3] 9to5Google. (2025, August 5). YouTube Android app playback speed issue: Users report not being able to adjust playback speed. Retrieved from https://9to5google.com/2025/08/05/youtube-android-app-playback-speed-issue/
[4] Android Police. (2025, August 6). YouTube fixes playback speed issue on Android app. Retrieved from https://www.androidpolice.com/2025/08/06/youtube-fixes-playback-speed-issue-on-android-app/
- Following the fix implemented by YouTube on August 6, 2025, users can now adjust the playback speed of videos on their smartphones through the Android app, thanks to the technology-driven improvement.
- The updated version of YouTube on Android devices no longer affects the use of gadgets like smartphones in terms of functionality related to adjusting playback speed, as the issue has been successfully addressed, making the video-streaming experience more seamless.
