YouTube is testing a redesigned mobile layout that moves the Subscriptions tab from the bottom navigation bar to the top, introducing a swipeable feed to improve accessibility and content discovery. This latest UI test could change daily app usage. YouTube redesign highlights evolving mobile content consumption trends.
YouTube is trying out a brand new look for its mobile app, and it might completely change how you open your favorite channels. In a new test, YouTube has removed the Subscriptions button from its usual spot at the bottom of the screen and moved it to the top.
YouTube is making this move to clear up space at the bottom of the screen. With the Subscriptions tab gone, the app has turned the little ‘+’ icon into a much bigger, labeled button called ‘Create.’
This feature is just an experiment for now. Only a very small number of iPhone and Android users are seeing this new layout. Early reports also suggest that the new design is glitchy, sometimes causing buttons to disappear until you close and reopen the app. Since Google is currently focused on announcing major AI upgrades at its big Google I/O event, an app redesign may not roll out to everyone anytime soon.
If users update the app to this new test version, they will no longer see the Subscriptions tab at the bottom. Instead, it has been moved to the very top of the screen, right under the YouTube logo. It is now just a small button mixed in with regular topic filters like ‘Music’ or ‘Gaming.’
This change makes the app much harder to use with one hand. Because modern smartphones are so tall, reaching the top of the screen just to check your subscriptions is much more difficult than simply tapping the bottom bar with your thumb.
This shows that YouTube wants to encourage users to create their own videos and Shorts, likely using new AI video tools. However, for everyday viewers who want to watch their favorite creators, this feels like an annoying downgrade that makes the app harder to navigate.
If you are getting the new layout and do not like it, you can also send feedback through the app settings.
YouTube is testing a new UI for its Home and Subscription feeds in its mobile app to improve accessibility and make it easier for users to find the most relevant content. The live test, available only to some users, will switch the placement of feeds within the app. YouTube is hoping this will offer a more intuitive way to access content.
According to YouTube: “Specifically, we’re testing a shift in the placement of the Subscriptions feed, moving it from the bottom navigation bar to the top of your screen as part of a new, swipeable Subscriptions and Home feed tab experience. We may also test moving other content feeds, like Movies & TV, to this top navigation area to help you access your paid content in one place.”
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Tech platforms constantly test interface changes to improve engagement, increase user retention, and adapt to changing digital habits. Even small navigation updates can influence how users discover content, interact with features, and spend time on apps, making UI experimentation a key part of long-term platform growth strategies.
Get the latest updates on Google I/O 2026 here.