The inability to remove the YouTube application from certain devices stems primarily from its status as a system application or a pre-installed application bundled with the operating system. A system application is deeply integrated into the core functionality of the device’s software. As an example, on many Android devices, YouTube is included as a core application at the factory.
This integration serves several purposes, including ensuring a consistent user experience across devices, promoting the platform’s reach, and potentially generating revenue through pre-installation agreements between the device manufacturer and the application developer. Historically, this practice has been common with essential applications and utilities, guaranteeing their availability for users from the moment they power on their new device.