iMessage Youtube preview "before you continue

Hi everyone !


It's been a week now, but everytime I try to share a YT link in iMessage, the preview shows as "before you continue to Youtube" (first image)

It's the same if I share it with copy-paste of the link, if I use the option "share to Messages" on YT or if I do it with my phone or computer.


When I click on the "before you continue to Youtube", it directs me to the video but if I long click on it as a preview, it shows a page with consent and cookies (2nd image)


I really don't know what to do, especially since I never had this page pop up on my phone or computer before and my friends don't seem to have this problem (but they see the same preview as me but theirs work just fine)


Also, it is only a problem with Youtube. The previews work just fine with Twitter, Reddit, Instagram ...


Posted on Apr 4, 2021 8:48 AM

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5 replies

Apr 18, 2021 4:41 PM in response to chouchou971one

It's not just on iOS. It's also on Messages on the Mac (macOS 10.14.6). It was working fine until March 31, 2021 and at that point something has changed and now previews no longer show. The only solution I found is that if you connect to a VPN with a North American server (US/Canada) then the previews will show up. Kind of a drag to activate VPN though just to share a link. I submitted this bug to both Apple and YouTube. No replies so far. You should do that, too, so they can see people are getting irritated by it.



Apr 16, 2021 12:30 PM in response to lmcurley

I found a partial answer on Reddit. It is apparently because Youtube changed the way to show GDPR banners in Europe and it's currently not fixable.


The only thing that one user suggested was to use the Youtube app directly from Imessage (the sliding bar right above the keyboard has the Youtube logo after Digital Touch) and you can share YT videos like that. For the moment, that seems like the only solution ...

Apr 19, 2021 7:51 PM in response to chouchou971one

Having this issue also. It appears to be a combination of two issues; 


Google now insisting on setting a cookie on first visit to a Google/Alphabet page or third party page delivered via AMP.


Apple now sandboxing iMessage as part of their Blast-door protocol to prevent potential exploits spilling out into the OS and other apps. I’m guessing as part of this protocol iMessage now has its own web renderer independent to Safari which operates in private browsing mode so no cookies are ever stored.

Apr 5, 2021 8:06 AM in response to chouchou971one

Hi there chouchou971one,


It sounds like you're seeing a prompt to agree to some terms and conditions for the Youtube app when attempting to share links in Messages and viewing the preview. We're glad you connected with us here in Apple Support Communities, and we'll point you in the right direction to get this sorted out.


To start, it looks like you must agree to the terms and conditions before you or anyone else can access the content you're trying to share. The next best step is to connect with the Youtube support team for more help with what appears when sharing links from their website or platform. The links below will help you get started:


How to contact an app developer

YouTube Help


Also, in the meantime, you may find this link from YouTube Support helpful:


YouTube Universal Links


Take care.

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iMessage Youtube preview "before you continue

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