Use Keyboard Shortcuts
For a smoother experience on YouTube via desktop, keyboard shortcuts are very useful. YouTube offers several shortcuts to perform actions faster. Here are the main shortcuts:
- F key: toggle full screen mode
- T key: toggle theater mode
- M key: mute/unmute
- Space bar: play/pause video
- C key: toggle captions
- Right arrow: skip forward 5 seconds
- Left arrow: rewind 5 seconds
Lock YouTube Interface
At the end of 2023, YouTube introduced a feature to lock the screen during video playback on mobile or tablet, preventing accidental interruptions. To activate screen lock:
- Go to the desired video
- Click the gear icon for settings
- Select Lock screen
To unlock, tap the video and click Tap to unlock.
Set a Time Limit
If you’re spending too much time on YouTube, the platform offers a feature to help manage your time. You can set a "Take a Break" reminder:
- Open YouTube, click your profile picture at the bottom right, then the settings gear at the top right
- Select General Settings and enable Remind me to take a break
- Choose the reminder frequency (e.g., every hour)
You can also set a bedtime reminder by enabling Remind me when it’s time for bed.
Activate Dark Mode
For those who prefer dark mode, YouTube also offers this option. To activate dark mode on mobile:
- Open the app, click on your profile picture, then on the settings gear
- Select General Settings and Appearance
- Enable Dark Theme
To enable dark mode on a browser, follow the instructions in this article.
Create and Share Clips
YouTube allows you to create clips of 5 to 60 seconds from a video to easily share specific moments. Here’s how:
- Select the video, then click the Clip button in the action bar
- Choose the segment by moving the slider and add a title
- Click Share Clip and share it via WhatsApp, Messenger, X, or copy the link
Note: Some creators may disable clips for their videos.
Take a Screenshot of a YouTube Video
To capture an image from a YouTube video, pause the video, right-click, then right-click again after slightly moving the mouse. Select Save Video Frame As... to download the image in PNG format.
Tip: use the comma key to move the video frame-by-frame to capture a precise moment.
Download a YouTube Video
You have several options to download YouTube videos:
- YouTube Premium subscription: allows you to download videos for offline viewing
- Legal online tools: some software allows you to copy the URL to download the video, but remember to follow usage terms
Start a YouTube Video at a Specific Time
To share a video starting at a specific time, add &t=XmYs to the URL, where X is the number of minutes and Y is the number of seconds.
Another option: pause the video at the desired time, then click the Share button and check Start at X.
Use Picture-in-Picture Mode
On a computer, you can enable Picture-in-Picture mode to watch a YouTube video in a minimized player while browsing other web pages. Right-click on the video, move the mouse, then right-click again and select Picture-in-Picture.
On mobile, Picture-in-Picture mode requires a YouTube Premium subscription, except in the United States, where it is free.
Clear YouTube History
To clear your history:
- On desktop: in the left menu, click History, then Clear all watch history on the right
- On mobile: click your profile, then History and See all. Tap the three dots at the top right and select Clear all watch history
You can also enable automatic deletion of your watch and search history. Go to the My Activity page, click Auto-delete, and choose the desired duration.
To disable history, go to the YouTube history is on tab, then click Turn off and Pause.