How to change the default video quality in YouTube on Android

By Abu Bakar Saadat · Reviewed by Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 4 steps · Published 7 October 2026

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Video quality preferences

   In YouTube tap You at the bottom right, then the gear at the top right. Tap Video quality preferences.

   Done

2. 

   Set mobile network quality

   Under Video quality on mobile networks: Auto (recommended), Higher picture quality (uses more data) or Data saver (lower picture quality).

   Done

3. 

   Set Wi-Fi quality

   The same three choices under Video quality on Wi-Fi. Ours were both on Auto.

   Done

4. 

   Change it for one video

   Tap the video, then the gear. Quality shows the current setting, ours Auto (1080p); tap it to pick another.

   Done

About this guide

YouTube picks the quality for you, which can mean blurry video on a good connection or a lot of mobile data on a bad one.

The screenshots are from the YouTube app, version 21.39.522, on a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with Android 16 and One UI 8.5, in dark mode. Other people's videos, ads and comments are blurred.

Good to know

None of these settings picks an exact resolution for every video; YouTube still adapts within the choice.

In short: YouTube, gear, Video quality preferences: mobile and Wi-Fi. One video: player gear, Quality.