In an apparent change of heart, YouTube now says it has plans to develop a native app for the new Apple Vision Pro headset after previously declining to allow iPad apps to run on the device.

According to an emailed statement from YouTube spokesperson Jessica Gibby, “We’re excited to see Vision Pro launch and we’re supporting it by ensuring YouTube users have a great experience in Safari. We do not have any specific plans to share at this time, but can confirm that a Vision Pro app is on our roadmap.”

This comes after YouTube, along with Spotify and Netflix, had initially refused to optimize their iPad apps for the Vision Pro prior to its launch. And in past inquiries, there was no indication from YouTube that a proper visionOS YouTube app was in development, so this marks a shift for the Google-owned company.

The timing of an official YouTube app for the Vision Pro is still unclear, as Gibby did not provide a timeline. YouTube could tweak the iPad app or build an entirely new app optimized for the headset and its capabilities.

One area not yet addressed is support for the extensive library of 360 and VR content already on YouTube. YouTube has enabled 3D and 360 videos since 2011 and 2016 respectively, but none of this is currently viewable on the Vision Pro.

According to Apple spokesperson Jackie Roy, much of this existing content “was created for devices that do not deliver a high-quality spatial experience” and “could also cause motion discomfort.” Roy said Apple has “focused our efforts on delivering the best spatial media experience possible including spatial photos and videos, Apple Immersive Video, and 3D movies available on Apple TV.”

Many new Vision Pro owners have also found that other types of VR videos do not play properly because Safari’s WebXR support is still limited. While experimental flags exist, they do not seem to unlock the necessary functionality. Ideally, WebXR could provide a pathway for YouTube VR content through web browsers.

Roy acknowledged that WebXR is a “relatively new open standard” that does not yet take full advantage of the Vision Pro’s capabilities. She said Apple has been actively contributing to web standard discussions at the W3C and will “continue to work with the community to help deliver great spatial computing experiences via the web.”

While a native YouTube app for the Vision Pro headset is now “on the roadmap” according to YouTube, the timeline for its release remains unclear. Additionally, support for the many 360 and VR videos on YouTube itself is still a work in progress for both YouTube and Apple. As with any new platform launch, challenges remain as features are built out over time.