I just tried to look up a specific video of a Nick Swardson stand up bit. All I searched was “Nick Swardson loitering”. There were 5 fucking ads before an actual user posted video, then one real human posted video that barely had anything to do with Nick, then 5 more fucking ads.
I knew they were forcing ads into videos but clogging the entire search feed with ads is unfuckingbelievable.
Is this really what it’s come to? Ads are more important than what I’m actually looking for? Are people really okay with this?
Because I don’t know how to do all that shit on my phone 😭
I’ve had several people try to explain but I just can’t fuckin do it. I’d need someone to sit down with me and show me while explaining every action.
Use your app store to install Firefox.
Install ublock origin Firefox extension.
Go to Youtube using Firefox.
This is literally all the steps.
You can also download and install Newpipe
You can then subscribe to your favorite channels through that app without subscription and view videos without ads and even download the video or audio to your phone!
In the last few days it stopped working. Well, more like google maked it stop work.
Google breaks Newpipe regularly, and then Newpipe always fixes it very fast. Sometimes I’ve been unable to use it for about two days or so. Totally worth it to not support Google.
Check for updates within the app itself. Those are more current than the app stores.
So… I guess despite it’s name it doesn’t work based on Piped then? How does it work?
Its the other way around. Piped uses the newpipe extractor iirc. As long as your newpipe is up to date, any breaking changes made by google are usually fixed in 1-2 days. For me newpipe (im actually using a fork called tubular which includes sponsorblock) is working right now tho.
Oh, interesting. Thanks for clarifying that. So in fact the Google crackdown was already worked around, it’s just Piped who needs to update stuff I guess
Yeah, I know it sometimes breaks and I’ve accepted that. But holy shit google, alternative frontend’ users are like .001% of your total users, are you sure you want to spend ressources on us instead of doing other things…?
Just update it frequently, the new version works currently.
Edit: That’s Tubular, a newpipe clone. https://github.com/polymorphicshade/Tubular
You have to download an update often
Newpipe works like a treat for me on both my phones
For me it is last few months :(
Thats a much higher hurdle for a noob tho. You either need to install fdroid or get the apk for that.
Tried to import, Google doesn’t let you have the subscriptions file anymore
Yes, it does, I just did it 2 days ago
I get nothing, maybe because it’s a brand account attached to a Google account. It doesn’t even have a password and it won’t let me add one 😂😭
Just google things…
I found nothing. Big brain answer.
That’s exactly why, actually. Your subscriptions are tied to the normal account, I actually had the exact same issue.
You should be able to find a screen that lets you select between the two by clicking your avatar, I believe
There’s no sub file or folder when I do it that way.
It doesn’t matter, I found one for another account and Newpipe didn’t do anything when I imported it.
Revanced is nice
Grayjay is another good alternative
I tried it but it doesn’t seem to work for me correctly or maybe I am doing something wrong. I patch the YouTube app and install it but as soon as I close and open it, all the changes made by the patch are apparently gone. Shorts that are hidden on the first start after the patch are visible again, ads seem to be reduced but still happen occasionally.
I disabled the default YouTube app, gave the patched version a different name, disabled auto update, repatched it but nothing seems to stick after opening it again.
And then the whole “I have to download the apk so that I can use it” because I don’t have rooted my phone is just inconvenient.
I stick with my yt-dlp server and Plex instead.
From my experience, if you’re on iOS then Brave is the only browser I know of that includes a built-in adblocker (although I have my own issues with Brave).
If you’re on Android, should be able to just install Firefox (or a fork like Fennec), tap the three dots in the app > Extensions > uBlock Origin
If you’re otherwise using the YouTube app, I don’t have much to add in that respect as I usually use Invidious or NewPipe.
FYI Brave is about to start having issues with ad blocking due to the Manifest V3 shit since it’s Chromium based
MV3 only applies to extensions. Brave’s adblocker is implemented in their content filtering engine, which is part of the browser itself. This completely bypasses the extension system.
Does Vivaldi not have an iOS version? It’s made by the original Opera founder that didn’t go all crypto bro and paycheck advance scammer.
Plenty of adblocker extensions on iOS Safari.
For YouTube, I’d recommend Vinegar, although the more general adblockers will also work.
Yes! I happen to already have a good blocker but I use Vinegar Extract for some enhancement.
You can block YouTube ads with AdGuard in Safari as well.
This is what I use. Good to hear it’s not depreciated on more modern versions of the OS that my ol’ 6S Plus isn’t able to run.
Does iOS Edge not have the adblocker? No Firefox extensions for iOS either?
Orion Browser also has a built-in ad-blocker that also gets rid of Youtube ads. It even has some support for Firefox extensions, including uBlock Origin.
Brave has agreements with some ad services.
Just use a good paid ad blocker. I have Adblock pro for years as a Safari extension and I never ever see an ad.
iOS or Android?
Everyone is making suggestions assuming OP uses a certain OS but you are asking the real question here.
I mean, even or Symbian or one of those other simpler ones. Just need a place to begin right?
On Android Tubular is pretty awesome.
The best answer
I hate to say this, but you’re exactly the reason why Youtube and other services feel safe and comfortable enshittifying their services.
Realistically I don’t use YouTube very often at all unless I’m searching for a video I already know the full name of.
After all this shit I’m just not gonna be using it at all.
Assuming you’re on android, you can use this download link on your phone to download the .apk for NewPipe. This link is a direct download to install the app. (If you don’t trust my link, you can got to newpipe.net yourself), so if you click it, it should immediately start downlaoading and you can follow the steps to install the app. It’s pretty self explanatory.
It’s a frontend for youtube that removes all ads. You can’t comment or like, but you can subscribe to channels via NewPipe, just like you’re used to in youtube. But no ads. You do not need to login, it is not tied to your youtube account.
Youtube doesn’t like ad dodging frontends, so every once in while the app won’t work and you’ll need to go back to youtube (or a different alternative) for a day or two until the folks at NewPipe fix it again. It’s kind of an arms race like that, but with advertising.
For Android, NewPipe is great. I think I prefer FreeTube now however. Mostly because of the ability to use the Invidious api, built in SponsorBlock, settings coss-compatibility with the desktop version, and a better way to organize and export data (IMO). However, freetube android does has a few rough spots that newpipe doesn’t have, so ymmv.
I prefer ReVanced because it’s close to the native YT experience without the bs (blasphemy)
Another revanced lover here. You’re not alone. It takes away nothing and adds so much.
The internet with a proper ad blocker is a game changer. Take the five minutes to figure it out. You’ll save more as free time than that on your first day.
Ironically, you could also YouTube how to install Firefox, then unlock.
Get GrayJay.
That’s all. Just use grayjay. Either go to grayjay.app and get it, or get it off the Google play store. It’s “Grayjay” from “futo”
Hmm Play Store? That app is not gonna last, trust me.
Op said he doesn’t really know how to do jack shit with his phone, so I provided the easiest option l, as well as the better option.
Yes, you’re right and I agree with you. If OP decides to download it from the Play Store, however, he/she’s going to be disappointed when they remove the app and it stops getting updates, and then it breaks.
Removed by mod
If you’re on android, use AdGuard that blocks ads in other apps. Or use Vivaldi browser with built in adblocker.
I used to run a public TLS DNS server that would do some hardcore ad/tracking blocking. I shut it down when I switched myself, friends and family to a private Tailscale network with VPN on the exit nodes.
It was a little janky to manage but I still have the files laying around; my point is I could turn it back on. Since it’s DNS-based it applies to all websites and apps running on your devices, and with TLS it’s also encrypted so your ISP wouldn’t be able to track your DNS requests. You would however be trusting me, a random stranger with your queries.