Fix Yoto imports, uploads and connection problems

Find the symptom below before retrying an import, upload or account connection. When a step still fails, use the reporting link at the end of this page.

The app does not open

On macOS, check that the app came from the expected distribution and is installed in Applications. Development builds may be awaiting notarization; use the recommended distribution when available.

If the message mentions a missing tool or integrity check, reinstall the complete package. Moving only some of its internal files can prevent startup.

A YouTube import fails

Open the link in your browser and check that it is a publicly accessible YouTube video or playlist. Paste it into Imports again and choose Import. For a playlist, select the videos you want.

Private, deleted, region-restricted, or login-required videos may be inaccessible to the app. Task details help distinguish access problems, size limits, and processing errors.

When YouTube changes, the tool the app uses to read videos can stop working until it is updated. The app checks for a newer version of this tool once a day, and again as soon as an import fails for this reason; it then tries the import once more. To update it right away, turn on Advanced mode in Account and choose Update the YouTube tool. The same place shows the version in use.

Trimming does not work

Check that the start precedes the end and both positions stay within the audio duration. Enter positions in seconds. Wait for the import to finish before starting preparation.

If the preview works but conversion fails, open the task's Details in Imports. Your original remains intact.

Keep the app open during browser login. Return to Account after confirmation. If the operation expired, start again with Connect my Yoto account. If the browser shows an error page and the app keeps waiting, choose Cancel next to the connect button, then start again.

Declining a permission may make some features unavailable. Reconnect the account to review the requested access.

My Yoto playlists are missing

Check the active account in Account, then open Playlists. Playlists load automatically from Yoto; Refresh from Yoto lets you try again after an error. The list shows that account's Make Your Own creations.

Check the Yoto playlists state for an authorization or loading error. Player, group, and icon errors are shown separately. This catalog covers Make Your Own creations; commercial cards are not listed in this version.

An upload remains uncertain

In Imports, open Check the upload and choose Check with Yoto. The app checks the upload's result before allowing a new upload. If several creations could match, it may require manual resolution.

My player does not respond

Check the selected player, its Wi-Fi connection, and whether it is online. Refresh Players, then try a simple command such as changing volume. Check the command result; some features depend on the model.

Media deletion is refused

The media or its version is still used by a playlist or task. Remove the relevant track or wait for the task to finish, then try again.

Open an imported library

Right after an import, choose Open the imported library in the import dialog. A new window opens that library and the original window stays available. To open it again later, turn on Advanced mode in Account, choose Open another library and select its folder, next to your usual library. You must reconnect Yoto in an imported library.

The recovery key is refused

Type the key exactly as it was shown at export time: eight groups of eight letters and digits. Spaces, dashes and letter case do not matter. Each export has its own key, so a key from another export does not work. Without the right key, the export cannot be opened.

Report a problem

Note the app version, your operating system, the action you took, and the error text. A screenshot of the relevant area can help. Avoid including passwords, recovery keys, or private content. A short, reproducible audio example is useful for a processing problem.

Report an issue on GitHub with these details.