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?

  • dinckel@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    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

    • JokeDeity@lemm.eeOP
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      1 year ago

      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.

      • Margot Robbie@lemmy.worldM
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        1 year ago

        Revanced is a little bit more complicated, basically:

        1. Download Revanced Manager
        2. Download the recommended version of Youtube APK
        3. Use the manager to patch your downloaded APK
        4. Install the patched APK
        • JokeDeity@lemm.eeOP
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          1 year ago

          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.

            • JokeDeity@lemm.eeOP
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              1 year ago

              Thanks! I completely glanced past that before and didn’t see a version listed on GitHub. Going to try now.

              • OfficerBribe@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                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.

    • dingus@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Check out ReVanced on your phone. It has all the features SmartTube Next does. Really improves the viewing experience with AdBlock and sponsor block!

    • hywoid@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      LibreTube is working very well for me. It is even syncing my subs with Piped on desktop.

    • iHUNTcriminals@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      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.

      • Dream_state
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        1 year ago

        Use Inner Tune for YouTube music, works really well. Basically an open source YouTube Music client

  • zoe@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    repatch another youtube apk using revanced. no more buffering after that.

  • mrvictory1@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Firefox with Ublock Origin + YT Playback Fix extensions. I don’t regularly watch YT or follow people so this is sufficient for me.

  • okamiueru@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    to avoid all of Google’s bullshit but still watch Youtube content?

    Paying for YouTube Premium.

  • codenul@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    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.

    • JokeDeity@lemm.eeOP
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      1 year ago

      I actually don’t have much of an issue with YouTube on desktop, but I’m back on Revanced on my phone.

  • ThenThreeMore@startrek.website
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    1 year ago

    I had some issues with revanced, uninstalled and reinstalled I think with a slightly newer YouTube version and it’s fine again now.

    • JokeDeity@lemm.eeOP
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      1 year ago

      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.