Years ago I used NewPipe but when I wanted a little more from my app I switched the ReVanced until it started giving me more and more issues. For the past 3 months or so I’ve been using a cracked Youtube Premium app, but now it’s dropping every video after about a minute. So what’s everyone using these days to avoid all of Google’s bullshit but still watch Youtube content?
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Newpipe has been good for years.
This, NewPipe still works and is just perfect. Only downside (more of an upside if you think about it) is that it doesn’t sync your playlists with your Google account as it doesn’t need a login.
as it doesn’t need a login
I don’t think you can login even if you wanted to!
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Revanced is still the way to go, at least for me. Obviously there are other options, but hoops you have to jump through every time are just not worth the effort. I update my revanced instance frequently and haven’t had major issues yet
Do you have homescreen ads? What’s the correct install process? I’ve had issues the last two times I tried to use it, but it could definitely be user error.
Revanced is a little bit more complicated, basically:
- Download Revanced Manager
- Download the recommended version of Youtube APK
- Use the manager to patch your downloaded APK
- Install the patched APK
It may be that I just don’t know which APK to use? My OS installed up-to-date one says I can’t use it because it’s a split APK and I’m not rooted and that’s beyond me. The one I just downloaded was the newest I found on APKMirror but it’s failed to apply a bunch of patches and aborted during the process.
Don’t use the newest APK, use the version that’s recommended by Revanced manager before you patch.
Thanks! I completely glanced past that before and didn’t see a version listed on GitHub. Going to try now.
As of now, Revanced manager recommends v 18.23.35.
ApkMirror is arguably the best source to download APKs. It checks that signature matches expected one so you know package is safe and not tampered with. You need to use no DPI version for Revanced, linked correct version above
I would suggest to also go through all patches manually, I remember recommended option had some very strange suggestions at least in the past.
For Google account to work you also need microG. This is a newer version / fork of original microG. inotia00 was one of the original Vanced devs I believe.
Do not download the newest from APKMirror. You should download the most recent version that is supported by the patcher. In youtube’s case, it’s 18.23.35. Here’s the link: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/youtube/youtube-18-23-35-release/youtube-18-23-35-2-android-apk-download/
ReVanced is the way for sure
On my TV I’m using Smart Tube Next It’s really great! But on my phone I have no idea…
Check out ReVanced on your phone. It has all the features SmartTube Next does. Really improves the viewing experience with AdBlock and sponsor block!
Libretube
LibreTube is working very well for me. It is even syncing my subs with Piped on desktop.
I’ve been using it…
Gotta get used to some things. My music playlists don’t work well because if I only listened to half a song it starts playing where I left off. That’s great for video but not music. I wish I could have two instances of the app, one for video and one for music.
Use Inner Tune for YouTube music, works really well. Basically an open source YouTube Music client
This is what I use. Works great!
repatch another youtube apk using revanced. no more buffering after that.
Firefox with Ublock Origin + YT Playback Fix extensions. I don’t regularly watch YT or follow people so this is sufficient for me.
Yes, this is me too. I use a browser on the desktop, so might as well do the same on mobile.
to avoid all of Google’s bullshit but still watch Youtube content?
Paying for YouTube Premium.
Not until they support Sponsorblock.
I don’t see a reason why Google should start supporting sponsorblock if even newpipe didn’t go that further to support it from ethical reasons.
What are this ethical reasons you are talking about?
BTW I know Google will never support it but for me it is a must have feature and not even premium can offer it to me, hence ReVanced is the way to go for me.
You may or may not agree. Here is their explanation: https://newpipe.net/blog/pinned/newpipe-and-online-advertising/
Newpipe with sponsor block is working great for me.
I thought the devs of NewPipe didn’t support Sponsorblock
They don’t, but there’s a fork.
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I had some issues with revanced, uninstalled and reinstalled I think with a slightly newer YouTube version and it’s fine again now.
Yeah, seems to be good to me so far.
May I suggest freetube?
Desktop client that emulates having a YouTube subscription / account. Sponserblock can be turned on. Can add channels, have a feed of videos, watched videos disappear when watched, etc.
I actually don’t have much of an issue with YouTube on desktop, but I’m back on Revanced on my phone.
NewPipe-Sponserblock or LibreTube. Newpipe is definitely more reliable though, but a clunkier interface.
For mobile it’s the front end for Invidious, Clipious.
I’m very happy with Libretube: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.libretube/
I’m glad it exists, but I’ve cultivated my account for a long time and don’t want to start from scratch until they make the site completely unusable for me.
I enjoy the NewPipe + Sponsorblock fork
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