You can easily shuffle the playback order of videos in a YouTube playlist on your mobile device. Shuffling a playlist will play the videos in a random order rather than sequentially.
Enable shuffle mode
To shuffle a playlist on the YouTube mobile app:
- Open the YouTube app on your mobile device and go to the playlist you want to shuffle.
- Tap on the playlist name at the top of the screen.
- Tap the “Shuffle” switch below the playlist name. It will turn blue when shuffle mode is enabled.
That’s all there is to it! The videos in the playlist will now play in random order each time you play through the list.
Disable shuffle mode
To turn shuffle mode off and go back to normal sequential playback:
- Tap on the playlist name at the top of the screen.
- Tap the “Shuffle” switch again so it turns gray and disengages shuffle mode.
The videos will once again play in the original playlist order.
Shuffle playlist from video screen
You can also toggle shuffle mode on and off directly from the video player screen when watching a video from the playlist:
- Tap the video thumbnail in the top left corner to open video details.
- Tap the “Shuffle” switch below the video title.
This will shuffle or unshuffle the playlist without leaving the video you are currently watching.
Sharing shuffled playlists
When you share a shuffled YouTube playlist, the recipient will view the playlist in its original sequential order, not the shuffled version.
So if you want to share your shuffled playlist, you’ll need to create a new playlist and manually add the videos in your preferred shuffled sequence.
Shuffle playlists on iPhone
The process is the same whether you’re on an iPhone or Android device. Just open the YouTube app and:
- Go to the playlist.
- Tap the playlist name.
- Toggle the “Shuffle” switch on.
You can also shuffle playlists from the video player screen by tapping the video thumbnail and toggling shuffle mode.
Shuffle playlists on Android
Like on iPhone, shuffling a YouTube playlist on Android only takes a few taps:
- In the YouTube app, navigate to the playlist.
- Tap the playlist name at the top.
- Turn on the “Shuffle” switch below the title.
You’ll also find the shuffle toggle in the video details screen accessible from the video player.
Troubleshooting shuffle issues
If shuffle mode doesn’t seem to be working properly, here are some things to try:
- Close and restart the YouTube app – this refreshes the app and playlist.
- Check that shuffle mode is definitively enabled based on the switch color.
- Shuffle a different playlist to see if it’s specific to one list.
- Update the YouTube app in case it’s a bug that has since been patched.
- Toggle airplane mode on and off to refresh your device’s connectivity.
In most cases, closing the app entirely and reopening will resolve any shuffle failures. If issues persist, updating the app, your device OS, and checking network connectivity are the next logical steps.
FAQs about shuffling YouTube playlists
Does YouTube shuffle playlists automatically?
No, YouTube doesn’t shuffle playlists by default. You have to manually enable shuffle mode for each playlist you want played in random order.
Can you set a playlist to always be shuffled?
Unfortunately there is no setting to permanently enable shuffle mode on a specific playlist. You have to toggle it on each time you open the playlist.
Why does my shuffled playlist keep playing in the same order?
If your shuffled playlist seems to be sticking to the same sequence, try fully closing and restarting the YouTube app. This will reset the shuffle algorithm and give you a newly randomized order.
How do I share my shuffled YouTube playlist?
You can’t directly share a shuffled playlist since recipients will just see the original sequence. Create a new playlist and manually add videos in your shuffled order if you want to share it.
How do I shuffle playlists on smart TVs and game consoles?
The shuffle controls are generally in the same place – tap the playlist name and toggle shuffle mode. On some devices you may need to select the three-dot menu to find shuffle options.
In summary
Shuffling a YouTube playlist on mobile is easy – just tap the playlist name, toggle the “Shuffle” switch, and your videos will play in randomized order. Disable shuffle mode the same way to return to sequential playback. Try restarting the app if shuffle isn’t working properly. While there’s no permanent shuffle setting, it only takes a couple taps to enjoy your playlists in a whole new way.
