YouTube Kids just got an update. Did yours?
Issue 1 · Oct 13–19, 2026. This build's notes cover bug fixes and stability improvements for an app where families can guide kids’ video choices and viewing time. If Google Play offers it, it’s worth installing now; the details are on the next screen.
About 2 minutes · what changed, then Google Play
Start NowWhat changed this week
These are the three changes in YouTube Kids that stand out in the developer's update notes and on its Google Play listing this week.
- 01Bug fixes and stability improvements
The latest notes cover bug fixes and stability improvements, aimed at making YouTube Kids more dependable for children and parents using the app.
- 02Worth using: age-based viewing modes
Choose Preschool, Younger, or Older mode to match the kinds of videos your child is ready to explore, with options spanning learning, music, cartoons, crafts, and gaming.
- 03Worth using: parent-set viewing limits
Use parental controls to guide what children can watch, and set the Timer to pause the app when the chosen screen-time limit is reached.
Our call on whether to update, and the link to the official Google Play listing, are on this issue's YouTube Kids page.
Also updated this week
YouTube Kids is one of 51 apps with a full screen in Issue 1. Next up in this issue:
Tips
- Choose a mode for your child
During parental setup, choose a viewing mode that fits your child's age and interests. Preschool, Younger, and Older offer different kinds of video discovery, while Approved Content Only lets you select the videos, channels, and collections yourself. Revisit the choice as your child's interests and readiness change, rather than treating one mode as permanent.
- Set a screen-time limit
Use the Timer to decide how long a viewing session should last. When the limit is reached, the app freezes, giving your child a clear stopping point and a chance to take a break. Choose a limit that suits your family's routine, and explain the pause before handing over the device.
- Return to familiar favorites
Open the Watch it Again tab to find videos your child has enjoyed and content you have shared with them. It can be a handy place to revisit familiar choices together, especially when you want a child to settle on something known rather than browse for a new interest.
Menu names follow the developer's help pages and can differ slightly between versions and phones.
How we write the digest
Each week we check the Google Play listings of the apps our readers use most: the version number, the update date and the developer's What's new notes. When an app has a new version, we put the developer's update notes and the listing details together on one page, in plain words, with a link to the official Google Play listing. Google and most developers release updates in stages over several days, so a version listed here may not have reached your phone yet. Select Weekly is an independent site and is not affiliated with any developer. This page doesn't read your phone or your Google account, and nothing is installed from here.
FAQ
Is this the official list of YouTube Kids changes?
No. This is an independent site and is not affiliated with Google LLC. The app's Google Play page is the authority for its official update details and availability. You can check that page for the current listing and use its information to decide whether to install the build.
Why does Google Play show Open instead of Update?
Google Play may show Open when an update is not currently available to your account or device, including during a staged rollout. Check the app's Play page again later. If an update option appears there, you can install it from Google Play; otherwise, the installed app remains available to open.
Can I choose exactly what my child watches?
Yes. YouTube Kids offers Approved Content Only mode, where parents hand-pick the videos, channels, and collections children can see. Other parental controls include content filters and options to block videos or channels. The app also provides age-based modes, so families can choose an approach suited to their child.