Tech Desk 
Mar 20, 2025
YouTube users on iPhones and iPads are facing a frustrating issue, videos and Shorts are playing in very low quality despite strong internet connections.
Many users have reported that their videos only load in 144p or 360p, making for a poor viewing experience. Google has acknowledged the issue and is actively investigating.
YouTube probes low-quality video issue on iOS
The problem appears to be widespread, with thousands of complaints flooding YouTube’s Community Help forums and multiple Reddit threads discussing the issue.
Moreover, Google confirmed that this video quality issue primarily affects iOS users but may also impact YouTube playback on desktop and smart TVs, though fewer reports have surfaced for those platforms. Some users also experience buffering when attempting to switch to higher video quality.
Google explained the issue in a post, stating:
- YouTube may stream at 144p or 360p even with a strong internet connection.
- Buffering may occur when changing to higher resolutions.
- Video quality issues may appear on iOS, desktop, or smart TV devices.
This low-quality video problem has sparked frustration among users who rely on YouTube for entertainment, learning, and content creation.
Since there is no immediate fix, users must wait for Google to resolve the issue. YouTube has assured users that updates will be provided as soon as new information becomes available.
