YouTube is gradually removing the ‘Guest’ profile from its TV apps, starting with Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV.
However, the functionality of watching without signing in remains unchanged, now appearing as a “Use signed out” option.
YouTube’s TV app profile switcher allows users to swap between accounts, add new profiles, and access YouTube Kids.
Previously, the ‘Guest’ profile was an option, but Google has started phasing it out over the past few weeks. Instead, users now see their available profiles, along with the new ‘Use signed out’ button.
Despite the removal of the visible “Guest” option, the underlying functionality is still there. When using ‘Use signed out’, the app even states that it is “switching to guest mode”—meaning the only change is visual, not functional.
For now, this update does not appear to affect Android TV or Google TV. However, given Google’s history of pushing users toward signed-in experiences, it’s possible that this change may expand further.
Google’s reasoning for this shift could be its ongoing push toward user accounts and watch history tracking. In 2023, YouTube stopped showing recommendations to users with watch history disabled, even if they were signed in. Removing the visible ‘Guest’ profile might be another step in that direction.
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