YouTube Removing 'Guest' Profile From TV Apps, But The Mode Is Still There

YouTube appears to be removing the “Guest” profile from its TV apps, starting on Apple TV and Roku.

The YouTube app for TV has a similar design and feature-set across various different platforms, but Google occasionally will roll out changes on certain versions before others. The latest example of that is the removal of the “Guest” profile.

Within the YouTube app on TVs, all users will find a profile switcher. This allows for easy access to channel pages, alternate accounts, and YouTube Kids following the removal of a dedicated app. Also available there you’ll find a “Guest” profile, but YouTube seems to be removing this option.

On the YouTube app for both Roku and Apple TV, the “Guest” profile is no longer available. This change appears to have started rolling out to users about two weeks ago. It also seems to be the case on Fire TV devices as well. Instead, the page now shows any available profiles, the ability to “Add account,” or switch to YouTube Kids.

A “use signed out” button appears directly below, still allowing viewers to use the YouTube app while not signed into an account. The change does not yet appear to be affecting the Android TV/Google TV app.

Functionally, there are absolutely no changes to the switch to a “use signed out” button. In fact, when using that feature, the app displays a message saying that it is “switching to guest mode,” and it still retains account details when you later tap “sign in.” This is less of a feature removal on Google’s part than it is a visual change.