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YSK: a few ways to watch YouTube videos without using youtube.com

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zlatiah@kbin.social
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youshouldknow@lemmy.world
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  • Invidious: an alternative front-end that is open-source and privacy-respecting. Here are a list of open instances. If you are reasonably familiar with docker/self-hosting you can also host it yourself, but be aware it’s somewhat resource- and maintenance-heavy.

  • yt-dlp: this is a nice command-line program that allows you to download YouTube videos by link; also works with Peertube links. For Windows/Mac users apparently the program is available as well, but please follow their instructions. If you also have mpv installed, you can call mpv <http://youtube.link> to directly stream a video.

  • NewPipe: this app on F-droid.org allows you to watch YouTube videos (and Soundcloud/Bandcamp but somewhat glitchy) with an experience very much akin to the YouTube app itself.

Please feel free to share other alternatives.

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Tiritibambix@lemmy.ml
8 points

Desktop : Freetube

Android : Revanced

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Rooki@lemmy.worldM
2 points

I tried to patch youtube today again. Even patching a new apk of youtube. Still says i cant do it without root perms

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Rooki@lemmy.worldM
1 point

Revanced is sometimes only available for rooted phones!

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off_apparition@lemmy.world
2 points

I have an unrooted phone and I’m using revanced

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Rooki@lemmy.worldM
1 point

Can you tell me what phone you use? Old or new? It could be that i use a pixel phone too ;(

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Tiritibambix@lemmy.ml
1 point

Considering you have to patch yourself the app with their tool and the tool doesn’t need root access, I’ve never had this problem.

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august_senpai@lemmy.world
3 points

There is also Piped, which is like Invidious. On Android you can use LibreTube which uses Piped as its backend, so you never connect directly to YouTube.

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blunderworld@lemmy.ca
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Good list, but just want to add my 2 cents about invidious. Ive been having a hard time with their instances lately… May be related to Google trying to shut them down, but I dont know for sure. The video player refuses to load, no matter which instance I select.

Could just be a me problem, but worth keeping in mind if others face similar issues. Ive been having much better luck with Peertube instances lately.

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flat@reddthat.com
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SparkIT@kbin.social
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I’m using SmartTube on my TvBox and live in fear it will stop working xD

There’s also a component for foobar2000 (yes, I’m GenX) called Youtube Source. You can search content, add results to foobar playlists and see the video (embedded in the skin or on a different window). Sometimes the video doesn’t load but restarting foobar it’s usually enough.

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