This is where the Switch shines as a media device. In handheld mode, the YouTube app works very similarly to the mobile app on a smartphone or tablet.
The YouTube experience on Switch is unique because the console has two distinct modes. Here is how the app functions in each state. download youtube on nintendo switch
Open the YouTube app while you do have Wi-Fi. Start a long video (e.g., a 2-hour documentary). Pause it immediately. The Switch often caches (stores) the first 10-15 minutes of the video in temporary RAM. If you put the console to sleep (not power off) and leave your house, you might be able to watch the first few minutes of that video. Once you exit the app, the cache clears. This is unreliable. This is where the Switch shines as a media device
If you are on an airplane, subway, or in a car with no Wi-Fi, the YouTube app will show you a “You are offline” error message. You cannot watch anything saved locally. Here is how the app functions in each state
If you run into trouble downloading or using the app, try these quick fixes: