After discontinuing its private messaging feature in 2019, YouTube is bringing back the functionality—at least for a select group of users. The platform has begun testing a new in-app messaging experience that allows users to share videos and chat directly within the YouTube mobile app.
Participants in the test can:
- Share any type of YouTube content—including long-form videos, Shorts, and livestreams—directly from the app.
- Tap the Share button to open a full-screen chat interface, where they can start a private one-on-one conversation or create a group chat.
- Respond with their own videos, text messages, or emojis, making the interaction more dynamic and social.
Currently, the feature is available only to users aged 18 and older in Ireland and Poland, according to YouTube.
Until now, sharing YouTube videos required using external platforms like WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DMs, or email. YouTube says in-app messaging has been one of its most requested features, signaling strong demand for a more integrated sharing experience.
When YouTube removed the original messaging feature in 2019, the company never fully explained why. Analysts speculated that the tool was underused—a common fate for niche features. Another theory was that younger users were heavy adopters, raising concerns about child safety, inappropriate content, and predatory behavior. These issues may explain why the new test is restricted to adults and why safety remains a priority.
YouTube is implementing several safeguards:
- Invite-only chats: Users must send invitations before starting a conversation.
- Control features: Ability to unsend messages, block users, and report conversations.
- Content review: Messages will be monitored under the same Community Guidelines that apply to videos and comments.
The experiment follows a similar move by Spotify, which introduced its own in-app messaging feature in August. Meanwhile, other platforms are exploring ways to keep users engaged without relying on external messaging apps.
