How to Change YouTube Download Quality on iPhone SE 3 (2022)

This post will walk you through adjusting the quality of YouTube downloads on the 3rd generation special edition iPhone. Here’s a quick guide to change YouTube download quality on iPhone SE 3 (2022).

adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 featured

Are the videos you’re watching on YouTube somehow blurry or pixelated? It might be due to a poor internet connection if not a low video resolution. Before troubleshooting your internet connection, you can adjust the video resolution to improve video quality on your YouTube app. Just keep scrolling to view more detailed instructions on how to get this done on your new special edition iPhone.

YouTube Download Quality

When the coronavirus pandemic started in 2024, YouTube lowered the video quality in line with the predicted surge in internet use as millions of people were forced to stay at home.

As a result, video streaming on YouTube remains fast even for cellular data users with not so high-speed internet connection. The main downside however is poor quality videos due to low resolution.

But on a positive note, YouTube also gives individual users available options to adjust the current video settings and increase the resolution, when needed.

These options can be accessed and managed straight to the YouTube mobile app as well as the web version.

Depicted below is the actual process of altering the current video resolution on the iOS YouTube app videos, particularly on the iPhone SE 3.

If you’re new to the iOS platform and need some input on how to access and manage these YouTube settings on your new iPhone, feel free to refer to the step by step walkthrough as follows.

Steps to Change YouTube Download Quality on iPhone SE 3

The following steps will take you to the YouTube app settings in iOS 15.5 where you can adjust the quality of downloaded videos accordingly. 

These steps are also applicable when adjusting the download quality of YouTube videos on other iPhones running in iOS 15 or later versions. 

Just be sure to use the updated version of the YouTube app to ensure all key features and menu options are accessible on your iPhone screen.

Feel free to start whenever you’re all set to configure your iPhone’s YouTube app settings.

Step 1: Open the YouTube app on your iPhone to get started.
adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 OPEN
Step 2: While in the YouTube app screen, find, select then open a YouTube video to watch and adjust quality on. 
adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 TAP1
Step 3: Tap once on the currently playing video, to access the playback controls then tap the three dots on the top-rightmost edge.
adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 3DOTS
Step 4: Tap Quality from the menu options that show up beneath the video. 
adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 QUALITY
Step 5: On the succeeding menu, you will see different quality options for the current video. Tap Advanced to proceed.
adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 ADVANCED
Step 6: On the next screen, you will see available resolutions. Choose the resolution that you’d like to use. Among the available options include 1080p (highest), 720p, 480p. 360p, 240p, and 144p (lowest).
adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 SELECT Q
The recent changes only apply to the currently played/selected video.
Step 7: Should you wish to apply the recent changes to all videos, just tap the given link directory, which Settings-> Video quality preferences either from the current menu or the Quality for current video menu. 
adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 ALL V

Tapping on that link will take you to another screen where you can set your video quality preferences for both Wi-Fi and cellular data connections.

Among the given options include Auto (recommended), Higher picture quality and Data saver. Just tap to mark your preferred quality on mobile networks and Wi-Fi then tap X on the top-leftmost corner of the screen to exit and save new changes.

For data saver, YouTube streaming in 720p resolution is recommended. For those with unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi subscription, setting the YouTube video resolution to the highest level (higher picture quality) wouldn’t be an issue.

Adjusting Quality for YouTube Downloads

The above steps adjust the video quality when streaming YouTube videos online. For offline YouTube videos (downloads), you can adjust the quality with these steps:

Step 1: Open the YouTube app then tap the Library icon from the bottom-rightmost corner.

adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 LIBRARY

Step 2: On the next screen, tap the Downloads then tap the three dots on the top-right edge. Doing so opens a pop-up menu at the bottom.

adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 DWNLDS

Step 3: Tap Settings from the menu options to proceed.

adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 SETTINGS

Step 4: On the succeeding menu, tap Download quality and then select your preferred quality option.

adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 DQ

Among the given choices include Full HD (1080p), High (720p), Medium (360p) and Low 144p). Just tap to mark your preferred option.

adjust youtube video resolution iphone se3 SDQ

Is the quality of your YouTube downloads still poor?

If the YouTube video quality remains poor even after you change video resolution on your iPhone’s YouTube app, the next thing you should check is your internet connection. Slow and intermittent connection to the internet could be the main reason as to why the quality of the YouTube videos you’re watching is very poor.

You can do a quick speed test to check your current download speed and see if it’s within your data subscription range. Otherwise, optimizing your iPhone’s internet connection would be necessary.

And that’s all about adjusting the quality of YouTube video downloads on the iPhone SE 3 2022 and other iOS 15.5 smartphones.

Please keep posted for more comprehensive iOS tutorials and troubleshooting guides on this site. Or you can check out this YouTube channel to view more comprehensive tutorial and troubleshooting videos including recent iOS devices.

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