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Use YouTube’s Watch Later playlist to bookmark a video and come back to it. On desktop, choose More → Save → Watch later; on a phone or tablet, choose More → Save → Change → Watch later. You can also save from a video thumbnail or use a separate menu for Shorts. Watch Later is for bookmarking—not downloading—and you don’t need Premium just to use it.
Save a regular video to Watch Later
On a computer
While watching a video, select More beneath or beside the player, choose Save, then select Watch later. YouTube’s desktop instructions cover this menu path.
If you’re browsing search results or a feed, you can save without opening the video: hover over its thumbnail and select the Watch later clock icon. The control may appear only while your pointer is over the thumbnail.
On Android
Open the video, tap More, then Save. If YouTube shows a confirmation with a Change option, tap it and select Watch later. The app may initially save to the playlist you used most recently, so check the confirmation if the video seems to have gone to the wrong place. From a feed or list, tap More next to the video title and select Save to Watch later. See YouTube’s Android instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
On iPhone or iPad
Open the video and tap More → Save. Tap Change if it appears, then choose Watch later. From a feed or list, tap More beside the title and choose Save to Watch later. YouTube’s iPhone and iPad instructions show the current options.
Save a YouTube Short
Shorts use a different menu from regular videos. While viewing a Short, tap or click More → Save to playlist → Watch later. If you don’t see Watch Later in the usual Save menu, look for Save to playlist instead.
Rank #2
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Find your Watch Later list
- On desktop: Open the YouTube Guide or sidebar, select You, and open Watch later.
- On Android, iPhone, or iPad: Tap your profile picture or the You tab, then open Playlists → Watch later.
YouTube’s labels and navigation can vary across app versions, accounts, and interface rollouts. If your app still shows Library or Account instead of You, open that section and look under Playlists. YouTube’s playlist help includes some older navigation labels.
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Remove a video after watching it
Open You → Watch later (or, on mobile, You → Playlists → Watch later). Select More beside the video and choose Remove from Watch later. This removes the bookmark from the list; it does not delete the video from YouTube.
Rank #3
- Ask to control your TV with your voice, and quickly cast your photos, videos, music and more from your phone, tablet, or PC to your TV with Chromecast built in
- Built-in Virtual Assistant – just press the mic button on the remote to get what you want
- Built-in content and entertainment including YouTube, Play Movies & TV, and more
- Support for thousands of Apps on the Play Store
- 2K resolution TV streaming
Watch Later, queue, download, or playlist?
| Option | Use it for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Watch Later | Bookmarking a video to revisit | The video is saved as an entry in a playlist, not stored for offline viewing. It remains available only while the original video is accessible. |
| Queue | Choosing what plays next in the current session | YouTube says a computer queue does not persist after you close the browser. Its queue help identifies mobile and tablet queueing as a Premium feature. |
| Download | Watching offline where YouTube supports it | Downloading is separate from saving to Watch Later and follows YouTube’s download rules. A Watch Later bookmark alone does not provide offline access. |
| Custom playlist | Sorting videos by topic, project, class, or viewing order | Use one when you want more organization or a collection to share. You can choose playlist visibility; see YouTube’s playlist help. |
Why can’t I save this video?
- Check the menu for the right control. For a regular video, look under More → Save. For a Short, use More → Save to playlist. On desktop, the thumbnail’s clock icon may appear only when you hover.
- The video may be designated as made for kids. YouTube says videos set as made for kids cannot be added to a playlist or saved to Watch Later. This applies to videos with that designation, not automatically to every video a child might enjoy.
- Confirm the destination. On mobile, Save may choose the last playlist used. Tap Change in the confirmation and select Watch Later if needed.
- Check your account and route. Make sure you’re signed into the account where you want the list, then try opening the video’s watch page instead of saving from a feed.
- Allow for interface differences. Reload the page or app and look for the alternate labels above. A missing standalone Watch Later button doesn’t necessarily mean the feature is unavailable.
- Consider account restrictions. YouTube notes that playlist editing may be unavailable with supervised accounts. If the video is private, deleted, blocked, or otherwise restricted, saving it cannot restore access.
Does Watch Later require YouTube Premium?
No. YouTube’s save instructions let viewers add videos to Watch Later without stating that Premium is required. Premium is relevant to a separate feature: YouTube documents queueing on mobile and tablet as a Premium feature. If you only want to bookmark videos to watch later, a queue subscription is not needed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Watch Later a permanent archive?
No. It keeps a playlist entry, not a copy of the video. If the uploader deletes the video, makes it private, or YouTube otherwise restricts it, Watch Later cannot make it playable again. For a quick one-off reminder, use Watch Later; for recurring subjects, a deliberate viewing order, or a collection you want to share, create a separate playlist.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Expand your home entertainment without buying a new TV; Google Chromecast lets you stream your favorites from your phone, tablet, or laptop; no remote needed
- Chromecast is easy to set up up; just plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and start streaming to turn your TV into a smart TV; it works with almost any TV that has an HDMI port
- Works with the apps you already know and love; enjoy shows, movies, music, games, sports, photos, live TV, and more from over 2,000 streaming apps in up to 1080p
- With Chromecast, you can stream, pause, play, or adjust the volume right from your phone with just a tap; while you’re streaming, you can still use your phone as you normally do
- Mirror your laptop screen or turn your tablet into an even better entertainment system; surf the web or see your media on the big screen
Rank #4
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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