I have a big issue with the cloud and downloading files that can only be opened by an approved app when offline.
For example, this is my issue: I downloaded episodes of Rick and Morty onto my cellphone through the YouTube app because I had purchased Rick and Morty through Google. Yet, I cannot access it sometimes for a few primary reasons.
- If I have the files already downloaded on my cellphone, I can only access the files on my main account where I bought the files and not the alternative accounts. I'm sure they have a family feature available, but if I own all these separate accounts, it makes no sense to separate them. For example, I have my main Google account and three other minor YouTube channels attached to the same email that manages these YouTube Channels. The films purchased cannot be accessed on those minor YouTube Channels.
- Even if I am in the correct account, sometimes I cannot access the files because of random errors that the YouTube mobile app suffers from. It doesn't happen often, but once it happens, it corrupts all your files, and you cannot open your downloaded purchases offline. It essentially defeats the purpose of downloading it offline.
- This may be a separate issue, but even if it all works and I can access the files, the download sometimes glitches out. The video lags out for some reason. This may be special to my device, but I've never tried running it on a different device. Yet, I have strong doubts it is the fault of my device. I can watch 4k videos fine anywhere else, but the downloaded video lags at 360p.
YouTube has the funding, so these errors will likely be fixed quickly. Yet, this reminds me that I should NOT PURCHASE cloud-based files for content like films and TV shows from a centralized organization.
I wouldn't have this issue with an open-source community running a community storage network and accessing the content directly. Honestly, I could get around this entire issue and download the movies and shows locally without needing the needless middleman. Lesson learned.