YouTube ads can really get in the way of enjoying videos. But I‘ve got excellent news! There‘s an easy and free way for Android users like us to finally watch YouTube ad-free.
It‘s called YouTube ReVanced – an incredible modded app that blocks all ads, allows background play, downloading, and much more. Let‘s explore why you‘d want to ditch the real YouTube app for ReVanced, how to install it, tips for getting the most out of it, and everything in between.
I‘ve been using YouTube ReVanced as my main YouTube viewer for months now. It provides virtually the same experience as the $12/month Premium version but costs nothing!
While it does require some initial setup, I‘ll be guiding you through the steps to get ReVanced running smoothly on your Android smartphone or tablet.
Why We Need an Ad-Free YouTube Experience
Before we get into the how-to, it‘s important to understand why an app like YouTube ReVanced is so valuable in the first place:
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YouTube is massive – Over 2 billion monthly logged-in users and over a billion hours watched daily
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Ads are pervasive – There are often 5-10 ads in a 10 minute video, both interruptive and banner ads
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Ads waste our time – On average we spend over 16 minutes a day watching YouTube ads
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Premium is expensive – $144 per year for ad-free viewing and background play
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ReVanced is free – It provides all the same perks for $0 and no subscription
So essentially, ReVanced gives us the freedom to enjoy YouTube as it was meant to be – without being constantly bombarded with annoying ads.
And as an Android user myself, I can tell you it works incredibly well. I‘ve been using ReVanced as my sole YouTube app for over 6 months now with zero issues.
Now let‘s dive right into installing and setting up YouTube ReVanced on your own Android device. I‘ll be providing step-by-step guidance for anyone from beginner to advanced.
How YouTube ReVancedBlocks Ads
To understand how we get an ad-free YouTube from ReVanced, you need to first understand how the mod works its magic under the hood.
ReVanced is able to block all YouTube ads through a process called patching. Here‘s what‘s happening behind the scenes:
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The open-source ReVanced patching tool analyzes the code of the official YouTube app APK file, identifying ad-related code
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It then makes targeted changes directly within the APK‘s manifest, resources, activities etc. to comment out or remove ad functionality
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This modified ad-free version of the YouTube APK is then installed on your device as ‘YouTube ReVanced‘
So in summary, by modifying the base YouTube app directly at the code level, the ReVanced patcher is able to strip away all ads, enabling background play, downloads, and other premium features for free.
The technical process does violate Google Play‘s policies, but Android does grant us the flexibility for such unofficial modding efforts. There are potential legal risks to consider, but we‘ll cover that shortly.
Now let‘s get your own copy of YouTube ReVanced up and running…
Step-by-Step Guide to Install ReVanced YouTube on Android
The entire installation process takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on your Android version.
It involves installing 3 different applications – Revanced Patcher, MicroG, and a compatible YouTube APK.
I‘ll outline the steps below, but I highly recommend also watching the step-by-step video for visual guidance:
1. Enable App Installation from Unknown Sources
- Go into Settings > Security > Enable Install from Unknown Sources
2. Download Latest APK Files
- Get MicroG, YouTube 17.36.37, and ReVanced Manager APKs
3. Install MicroG for Logging In
- Install the MicroG.apk to allow logging into your Google account
4. Install Supported YouTube APK
- Install YouTube.apk v17.36.37 – this compatible version avoids issues
5. Install Revanced Patcher
- Install the ReVanced Manager.apk – this is key for removing ads
6. Open Revanced Patcher
- Open ReVanced Manager, enable install from unknown sources when prompted
7. Patch and Install YouTube ReVanced
- Choose Patcher > Select YouTube APK > Apply Recommended Patches
- Tap Patch, wait for process to complete, then Install
Once installed, the YouTube ReVanced app replaces your stock YouTube with an ad-free, background play enabled version! Log in with your Google account and take it for a spin.
Locking Down Your Privacy with a Trusted VPN
When using modified streaming apps like ReVanced, I strongly recommend also protecting your privacy with a VPN service.
A VPN will encrypt all your internet traffic, hide your IP address, and prevent your ISP from detecting what apps you use.
This adds a layer of security when sideloading unofficial APKs. VPNs like Surfshark also protect against malware, phishing attacks, and other threats when downloading outside regulated app stores.
So get that extra peace of mind while enjoying ad-free YouTube ReVanced by combining it with a premium VPN!
Troubleshooting Common Revanced Installation Issues
ReVanced is generally very stable after initial setup, but you may encounter some hiccups during installation:
App Crashing? An incompatible YouTube version could be the culprit. Stick to v17.36.37 from before updates broke ReVanced patching.
Can‘t Log In? Ensure you‘ve installed MicroG before patching YouTube with ReVanced Manager. MicroG handles account integration.
Patches Not Applying? Try wiping app data and uninstalling YouTube updates before re-patching with ReVanced Manager.
Ads Still Showing? Double check you‘ve selected all the recommended ad blocking patches in ReVanced Manager.
The vibrant ReVanced community is also hugely helpful for any troubleshooting – don‘t hesitate to ask for help on Telegram!
Additional Customization Options for Personalized Experience
While just removing ads is a huge perk, ReVanced offers all kinds of customization options via the Manager app:
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Force VP9 or HDR streaming for higher video quality
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Exclude channels from recommendations feed
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Enable minimized play for mini always-on-top player
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Set preferred default video quality up to 2160p 4K
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Configure Swipe Gestures to control brightness and volume
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Video looping and auto-repeat functions
Take the time to explore the various settings to tailor ReVanced to your preferences for maximum enjoyment.
Keeping ReVanced Updated as YouTube Evolves
Since ReVanced relies on modifying the official YouTube app, it needs re-patching occasionally when YouTube gets updated.
Keeping ReVanced Manager installed makes it easy to re-patch YouTube whenever needed. You can also join their Telegram channel for update notifications.
This bit of maintenance ensures ReVanced keeps working its magic as YouTube evolves.
Final Thoughts on Joining the Revanced Revolution
Well friends, that sums up how to unfetter your YouTube experience from ads with ReVanced.
I don‘t know about you, but after seeing what it has to offer, I can‘t imagine ever going back to regular YouTube.
If you‘ve got an Android phone or tablet, don‘t hesitate to give the world of ad-free YouTube a try. Just follow the installation guide, get MicroG and ReVanced Manager setup, and enjoy!
And remember to secure your online activities with a trusted VPN service when using unofficial apps.
Now get out there and start watching those videos completely free of disruptive ads! But if you‘ve got any questions at all, let me know in the comments.
