Get Ad-Free YouTube on Mobile and TV

If you are still searching for the classic YouTube Vanced APK, we have some bad news and some great news. The original Vanced project was officially discontinued due to legal pressure from Google, and those old v16 and v17 APKs no longer connect to YouTube’s servers.

However, the spirit of Vanced lives on. Today, the ad-free YouTube ecosystem is thriving across both mobile devices and smart TVs with dedicated, open-source successors: ReVanced for Android phones, SmartTube for Android TV / FireStick, and TizenTube for Samsung smart televisions. Here is everything you need to know to get an ad-free, sponsor-free YouTube experience across all your screens in 2026.

Quick Comparison: Which App Fits Your Device?

Use the comparison table below to jump directly to the solution built for your specific device:

Your Device	Recommended App	Key Features	Difficulty
Android Phones & Tablets	YouTube ReVanced	Official UI, Ad-free, Background Audio, SponsorBlock, Dislike counter	Moderate (Patch via Manager)
Android TV & FireStick	SmartTube	Native 4K/8K 60fps HDR, D-pad remote UI, SponsorBlock, no Google Play needed	Easy (2-min Sideload)
Samsung Smart TVs	TizenTube Cobalt	Native Tizen app, Cobalt HTML5 runtime, SponsorBlock & DeArrow	Advanced (Developer Mode)
No-Login / Privacy-First	NewPipe / Tubular	Lightweight, pop-up player, audio downloads, zero Google services	Very Easy (Direct APK)

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Part 1: For Android Phones — YouTube ReVanced

ReVanced is the official, community-driven successor to YouTube Vanced. Instead of distributing pre-modified APKs (which violates Google’s terms), ReVanced provides an open-source Manager tool that patches the official YouTube app directly on your phone.

Key Mobile Features:

• True Ad-Blocking: Completely removes pre-roll, mid-roll, search result, and background banner ads.
• Background Playback: Keeps your audio running even when you lock your screen or switch to other apps.
• SponsorBlock Integration: Automatically skips annoying in-video sponsor segments, intros, outros, and subscription reminders.
• Return YouTube Dislike: Brings back the public dislike counter using community crowdsourced data.
• Custom Ergonomics: Swipe gestures for volume and brightness, custom playback speeds (up to 5x), and old quality selection flyouts.

How to Install ReVanced (4-Step Walkthrough):

To set this up on any non-rooted Android device, follow these steps in order:

1. Install GmsCore: Download and install the latest ReVanced GmsCore APK. This is the MicroG compatibility bridge that lets you log into your Google Account to sync your history, playlists, and subscriptions.
2. Install ReVanced Manager: Download the latest Manager APK from the official portal at revanced.app or GitHub.
3. Download the Target YouTube APK: Open ReVanced Manager > Patcher > Select an application > tap YouTube. Note the recommended version number displayed (e.g., v19.xx.xx). Search for that exact version on APKMirror and download the nodpi APK (do not download bundle formats). Save it to your Downloads folder without installing it.
4. Patch and Install: In ReVanced Manager, tap Storage, select your downloaded YouTube APK, keep the recommended patches selected, and tap Patch. When the process finishes, click Install.

Fixing the 1-Minute Playback Buffering Issue:

If videos freeze or buffer indefinitely after 30 to 60 seconds, Google’s server-side client checks are blocking the stream. To resolve this immediately:

• In your patched YouTube app, go to Settings > ReVanced > Miscellaneous and ensure Spoof player parameter (or Spoof client) is toggled ON.
• Go to your phone’s system Settings > Apps > GmsCore and set Battery Optimization to Unrestricted so Android doesn’t kill the background authentication token.

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Part 2: For Android TV & Fire TV — SmartTube

While ReVanced is designed for touchscreens, SmartTube (formerly SmartTubeNext) is built from the ground up for televisions, Google TV, Android TV boxes, and Amazon FireStick remotes.

Why SmartTube is the Best TV Choice:

• Built for TV Remotes: Smooth, intuitive D-pad navigation that mirrors the official YouTube TV interface.
• Ad-Free with SponsorBlock: Blocks all video ads, home screen promo banners, and automatically skips sponsored segments.
• High-Resolution Support: Plays 4K, 8K, 60fps, HDR, and modern AV1 codecs flawlessly.
• No Google Play Services Needed: Runs completely standalone without requiring MicroG, GmsCore, or root access.
• Cast From Phone: Link your television using a standard pairing code at youtube.com/activate to cast videos directly from your smartphone.

How to Install SmartTube via Downloader:

1. Install the free Downloader by AFTVnews app from your TV’s app store (Google Play Store or Amazon Appstore).
2. Open Downloader, enter quick download code 28544 (or visit smarttubeapp.github.io), and click Go.
3. Once the APK finishes downloading, click Install. If prompted, allow Downloader permission to “Install Unknown Apps” in your TV settings.

Pro-Tip: Looking to get more speed and a cleaner interface on your television? Check out our complete guide on how to debloat your Android TV and our curated roundup of the best streaming apps for Android TV.

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Part 3: For Samsung Smart TVs — TizenTube Cobalt

If you own a Samsung Smart TV, it runs Samsung’s proprietary Tizen OS rather than Android TV, meaning standard .apk files cannot be installed. That’s where TizenTube Cobalt comes in.

What is TizenTube Cobalt?

Originally built for Samsung’s Tizen OS, the developer ported the project to Android TV/Fire TV via TizenTube Cobalt. It utilizes “Cobalt”—the exact same lightweight HTML5 runtime architecture that Google uses for native TV applications.

Key Features:

• The Stock Experience: Preserves the exact user interface, smooth animations, and account-syncing behavior of the official YouTube TV app.
• SponsorBlock & DeArrow Support: Seamlessly skips baked-in video sponsors and replaces noisy, sensationalized clickbait titles or thumbnails with neutral, community-generated alternatives.
• Playback Speed Control: Adds custom speed adjustments—a quality-of-life feature completely missing from the stock television app.

Installation via Downloader:

1. Install the free Downloader App directly from your TV’s official app store.
2. Open Downloader and navigate to the official TizenTube Cobalt GitHub Releases page to grab the latest package.
3. Go to your TV’s Settings > Security & Restrictions (or Developer Options) and allow Downloader to install packages.

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Part 4: Zero-Setup Alternatives (NewPipe & Browsers)

If you prefer not to patch an APK or install MicroG, these lightweight alternatives require zero configuration:

• NewPipe / Tubular: A private, open-source Android client that plays and downloads videos without requiring a Google Account. You can easily import your subscriptions via an exported .json file.
• Mobile Browser with uBlock Origin: Install Firefox for Android and add the uBlock Origin extension, or browse via Brave Browser. Both eliminate video ads and support background playback out of the box.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Is using ReVanced or SmartTube safe and legal?

Answer: Yes. ReVanced, SmartTube, and TizenTube are completely open-source projects hosted publicly on GitHub. ReVanced complies with copyright law because it does not distribute proprietary Google code—it applies patches locally to an app you already own. Furthermore, none of these apps require root access or jailbreaking.

Q2. Can my Google Account get banned for using ReVanced?

Answer: To date, there are zero confirmed reports of personal Google accounts being banned simply for using ReVanced or SmartTube. GmsCore communicates with Google’s public endpoints using standard authentication tokens. However, if you are cautious, you can always link a secondary Google account.

Q3. Why does ReVanced require GmsCore instead of regular Google Play Services?

Answer: Because ReVanced has a different package signature than the stock YouTube app from the Play Store, official Google Play Services rejects its login requests. GmsCore acts as a standalone compatibility bridge, allowing your patched app to sync subscriptions and viewing history cleanly.

A Note on Safety: ReVanced, SmartTube, and TizenTube Cobalt are fully open-source projects. They do not require rooting your phone or jailbreaking your TV, making them completely safe alternatives to enjoy content without distraction.