How to Watch 4K Videos on YouTube [Android and iOS]

In today’s world, most smartphones are compatible with high-resolution displays. If you have unlimited, and high-speed internet, you will naturally want to stream and watch 4K videos on your device. 4K video offers better quality, this video is sharper, clearer, and has more details. Follow these steps to enable and watch 4K videos on YouTube on your Android and iPhone.

If the YouTube app on your phone doesn’t support 4K resolution, I’ll help you enable it on any of your Android devices and iPhones. Devices with Android 10 or later and iOS 14 or later support this feature.

Additionally, YouTube converts its videos to the VP9 video codec. Therefore, Android phones that do not meet these requirements cannot play 4K video.

What is 4K Video?

4K video, also known as ultra-high definition (UHD), is a high-resolution standard with approximately 4,000 horizontal pixels, providing a more detailed and immersive viewing experience than traditional high-definition (HD) video. It is ideal for large screens and offers richer colors and an improved dynamic range.

YouTube Support Resolution

YouTube supports a wide range of video resolutions for uploading and streaming, including:

Resolution	Pixels	Resolution Type	Description
240p	426 x 240	Low resolution	Suitable for slow internet connections
360p	640 x 360	Medium resolution	Slightly better quality than 240p
480p	854 x 480	Standard Definition (SD)	Suitable for most internet connections
720p	1280 x 720	High Definition (HD)	Improved video quality
1080p	1920 x 1080	Full High Definition (FHD)	Popular choice for HD content
1440p	2560 x 1440	Quad High Definition (QHD)	Also known as 2K resolution
2160p	3840 x 2160	Ultra High Definition (UHD)	Also known as 4K resolution
4320p	7680 x 4320	Ultra High Definition (UHD)	Also known as 8K resolution

Benefits of 4K videos

Some of the key benefits of watch 4K videos are as follows:

• Enhanced Details: Sharper images with more complex details and textures.
• Improved color accuracy: wider color range and higher color depth.
• Greater Dynamic Range: High Dynamic Range (HDR) for increased contrast.
• Better scalability: Versatile for different display sizes and resolutions.
• Enhanced Immersion: Ideal for the big screen, home theater, and VR applications.
• Future-proofing: Ensures content remains relevant and visually impressive.

Overall, the benefits of 4K video are to provide a more realistic, immersive, and visually impressive experience, making content attractive to both creators and viewers.

How to upload 4k videos to YouTube

To upload 4K videos to YouTube, follow these steps:

• Prepare your 4K video file and make sure it is in a compatible format, such as MP4 or MOV.
• Open the YouTube app and sign in to your YouTube account.
• Click on the plus (+) below and select “Upload Video”.
• Select your 4K video file from the upload window.
• Enter the video title, description, tags, and other details.
• Choose a thumbnail image for your video.
• Click the “Advanced Settings” tab and select “4K” from the “Video Resolution” drop-down menu.
• Click “Publish” to upload and publish your 4K video to YouTube.

How to watch 4K videos on YouTube

To watch 4K videos on YouTube, you need to follow these steps:

• Open the YouTube app and play the video
• Click on Settings in the top-right corner
• Tap on Quality in the pop-up that appears
• Now, you can see the 2160p resolution and click on it to turn it on

Note: Only Play videos that are uploaded at 4K resolution.

By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you will be able to unlock the full potential of YouTube’s 4K video content on your Android and iOS devices. Whether you’re watching fascinating nature documentaries or the latest blockbuster trailers, 4K resolution will provide you with an unparalleled viewing experience.

FAQ