TL;DR
A writer discovered a little-known YouTube gesture that plays videos at double speed while the screen is held. The tap-and-hold shortcut works even in Incognito and is now the author's preferred way to skim intros and boring sections.
What happened
The author says they accidentally discovered a YouTube gesture that temporarily doubles playback speed by tapping and holding anywhere on the video player. While the finger remains on the screen, the video plays at about 2x speed; lifting the finger returns playback to normal. The writer describes using this method to skim introductions and dull stretches of videos without committing to a permanent speed change, and notes it works in Incognito mode. Previously they relied on manually setting playback speed or double-tap skipping, but found those approaches either too permanent or prone to skipping potentially important content. The author also lists improvements they'd like to see — such as a way to lock 2x playback, support for 1.5x as an intermediate option, and separate left/right areas for fast-reverse and fast-forward gestures — and says they now rarely watch full videos at 1x after adopting the shortcut.
Why it matters
- Offers a quick, on-the-fly way to speed through parts of videos without changing default playback settings.
- Helps users trim wasted watching time while reducing anxiety about missing key points compared with blunt skip gestures.
- Works in Incognito, so it can be used when viewers prefer not to leave a playback trace on their account.
- Highlights gaps in YouTube’s gesture controls and suggests straightforward usability improvements that could benefit many viewers.
Key facts
- Gesture: tap and hold anywhere on the video playback screen to play at approximately 2x speed while holding.
- The video returns to normal speed when the user lifts their finger from the playback screen.
- The writer used the gesture to skim video intros and other slow or unimportant segments rather than fully skipping them.
- The author previously used manual 2x playback or double-tap skips before discovering the gesture.
- The tap-and-hold shortcut works in Incognito mode, according to the writer.
- The author would like a way to continue watching at 2x without keeping a finger on the screen (a lock option).
- They also suggested offering 1.5x as an intermediate pace to make the feature accessible to more viewers.
- The author proposed assigning the right side of the screen for fast-forward and the left for rewinding using similar gestures.
What to watch next
- Whether Google/YouTube will add a persistent 2x lock or a prompt to continue at the faster speed — not confirmed in the source.
- Potential introduction of 1.5x as a gesture option or intermediate speed for the tap-and-hold control — not confirmed in the source.
- Any rollout details, platform limitations (iOS, Android, web) or version requirements for the gesture are not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Playback speed: The rate at which video audio and visuals play, commonly adjustable (e.g., 0.5x, 1x, 1.5x, 2x).
- Tap-and-hold gesture: A touch-screen input where the user touches the screen and keeps their finger in contact to trigger a temporary action.
- Incognito mode: A browsing or app mode that limits local history and account-linked activity from being recorded in the normal profile.
- Double-tap skip: A short-press gesture that jumps the video forward or backward by a set interval, typically used for quick navigation.
Reader FAQ
How do I use the hidden YouTube feature?
Tap and hold anywhere on the video player; the video plays at about 2x while you keep your finger down, and returns to normal when you lift it.
Does this trick work in Incognito mode?
Yes, the author reports it works in Incognito mode.
Can I make the 2x speed stick without holding the screen?
Not confirmed in the source.
Is there a 1.5x tap-and-hold option?
Not confirmed in the source.
Nobody told me about this hidden YouTube feature — now I can't watch videos without it Credit: Lucas Gouveia/Android Police By Rahul Naskar Published 4 minutes ago Rahul Naskar has years…
Sources
- Nobody told me about this hidden YouTube feature — now I can't watch videos without it
- YouTube Has a Hidden List of Keyboard Shortcuts
- YouTube's SECRETS: Unlock Hidden Shortcuts Now!
- YouTube Playback Tips and Keyboard Shortcuts
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