Improvements in mobile hardware and data speeds allowed the main app to function more efficiently.
It was typically priced at €6.99/month , roughly half the cost of a full Premium subscription.
Instead of a standalone app, the focus shifted to a new subscription tier called and internal optimizations to the main YouTube app to make it run better on entry-level devices. The End of YouTube Go (August 2022)
Google recommended users switch to the standard YouTube App on Google Play or use the mobile browser version, which is inherently more "lite" than the full app. The Rise of YouTube Premium Lite
In 2022, this version did not include background play, offline downloads, or YouTube Music. Note that recent 2026 updates have since added some of these features back to Premium Lite in certain regions. How to Get a "Lite" Experience Today
YouTube Go was originally designed for regions with limited connectivity, offering features like offline viewing and data-controlled previews. However, by 2022, Google determined that improvements to the standard YouTube app made a separate "Lite" version unnecessary.
If you are still looking for a lightweight YouTube experience on an older device, you have two primary safe options: