Out of the box it can play audio in the background, and now that extensions are available you can block ads as well. You don’t really need constantly updating 3rd party clients or questionable firewalls anymore if you just want usable youtube on a phone.
Might as well use a FOSS app like NewPipe x Sponsorblock.
Fdroid repo: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/org.polymorphicshade.newpipe
I haven’t tried newpipe, is it missing any features compared to revanced? I love that I can disable the shorts player, play with my screen off, and the wide array of customization options
My main issue with new pipe is that when I scroll down to read the comments, the video disappeares. It’s not fixed in place (don’t know what that’s called). Other than that, it’s great overall!
As far as I know, you can’t log in to your account with newpipe. I use revanced and have no issues
You will have to add your channels once. These can be backed up into a file and imported onto another device. Not super convenient but compared to how annoying the official app is I am OK with it.
It won’t track watch status across different platforms/devices though. Revanced is significantly easier to setup and use.
Significantly easier? Newpipe is simply installed from fdroid. I’ve only looked for a few minutes but it looks like revanced “patches” YouTube. Does that mean it doesn’t create its own app but overtakes another? How does that interact when the app underneath gets a play store update?
I’ve been using it for years; just download and install the apk from the website like any other side-loaded app. Yes it modifies the original youtube app, replacing it. I’ve never had an issue with the main app updating and breaking anything. Updates to revanced have to be applied manually the same way as the original install, but I’ve been super lazy and gone several years at a time without updating at all and I’ve never had an issue.
I used to run the original vanced app the same way; rarely if ever updating. It just hasn’t been necessary. Hell, the only reason I’m not still using original vanced app is because the device it was installed on has a broken screen.
Revanced is essentially the same app as the original youtube app with all premium functionality; but with adblock, sponsor block, and a huge host of toggles to show/hide almost every part of the UI or modify the apps behaviour (things like fixed quality settings instead of just ‘auto’ or a default playback speed).
Thanks for the detailed reply. So does the underlying YouTube app never receive app store updates? I’m surprised it went years without some sort of connection issue.
I just had to go check and see, but yes the app still receives google play updates. My YouTube app last updated 5 days ago according to google play. It’s listed as ‘installed by X-Plore’ (the file manager/browser app I use and installed the apk from) in Androids app manager though, instead of being listed as installed by google play.
I’ve just never received an update that’s broken the app, or it’s hacked functionality. I download and install updated vanced apks when I happen to feel like it, which is very very few and far between.
Yes for all those things. Doesnt have youtube recommended or sign in, but you can export youtube subscriptions from your account. LibreTube is also great and i like it better (when my phone doesnt cause problems)
yes, I have used both and personally the libretube is better. although newpipe is also great
It has little to no bull shit and it can play with screen off. Age restricted videos are a problem.
If you hate the official app it’s perfect for you. Literally just your curated feed and nothing else.
You can enable those in the settings under content > show age restricted content
I don’t mean the setting. It won’t be able to play them anymore even if this is turned on.
Last time I tried Newpipe it wasn’t all that great. Would be fine if you just hit up YouTube for random stuff, but didn’t have any consideration for channels you subscribed to. I’m guessing it’s gotten better?
I find it reliable. I just use subscriptions feed.