YouTube users who want audio playback in the background, picture-in-picture mode, ad-free viewing and other premium features will have to cough up a few bucks for a monthly subscription on YouTube Premium, formerly known as YouTube Red. A third-party app for Android, however, provides all these premium features for free. It’s called YouTube Vanced.
What is YouTube Vanced?
Think of YouTube Vanced as the same as the free app version of the video-sharing platform but on steroids. It has a number of features that make it popular among Android users: a built-in ad blocker that lets you proceed directly to the video you want to watch, a background playback feature so you can play videos outside the app, and a forced HDR mode that improves video quality through High Dynamic Range.
In addition, YouTube Vanced also has secondary color themes (besides light and dark), picture-in-picture video, repeat playback, pinch to zoom, and many more that are not yet available in YouTube Premium.
Is YouTube Vanced legal?
This is something of a legal gray area. So far, YouTube’s parent company Google hasn’t struck the banhammer on YouTube Vanced, so it can be said that the latter hasn’t done anything unlawful for the search giant to mobilize its legal team. Note that YouTube Vanced does not let you download video files, as that one is explicitly prohibited per YouTube’s terms of service.
In the past, Google did go after a number of third-party YouTube apps and video rippers to take them down. The most prominent was ProTube, a paid iOS app that offered features not found in the official YouTube app. In 2017, it was quietly removed from the Apple App Store per Google’s takedown request.
If you’re wary, use YouTube Vanced with a secondary Google account.
Is YouTube Vanced safe to use?
YouTube Vanced is safe as safe can be when we’re talking about third-party apps outside Google’s Play Store. There are always risks involved when you install and use apps, be it from the Play Store or from external sources. Sad to say, it’s you as the user who must decide if the apps you want to use can be trusted with your personal data.
How do you install YouTube Vanced?
There are several fake sites out there offering a malware-infested, outdated, or ad-riddled version of YouTube Vanced, so only get the app from the official website. It’s pretty straightforward.
There you can choose to get non-root or root variants. The process requires installing MicroG, which lets you log into YouTube Vanced using your Google account and SAI which is used to install the multiple APK files of YouTube Vanced.
1.) Go to the official YouTube Vanced website: https://vanced.app
2.) Download MicroG and install it.
3.) Download the SAI app from the Google Play Store.
4.) Go to the File Manager —> Downloads folder in your device and select the vanced .apks.
5.) Click install and you’re done.
6 Vanced alternatives: Watch YouTube videos without ads
Some ads are annoying that many users would go to great lengths to avoid it. At the same time, ads are what keep many online services and website alive. But until companies lower the intrusiveness and pervasiveness of ads to a tolerable degree, alternative apps like YouTube Vanced will always appear to offer a cleaner web browsing and online experience.
This article brings up some valid points about YouTube Vanced! It’s tempting to enjoy ad-free viewing and background play without paying, but I’m curious about the potential risks and ethical implications. Does anyone have experience with the app and its performance compared to the official YouTube Premium?
Great insights! YouTube Vanced seems like a fantastic option for those looking to enhance their viewing experience without the ads. However, I wonder about the potential risks involved with using unofficial apps. It would be interesting to hear more about user experiences and any legal implications linked with it. Thanks for sharing this informative post!
Great article! YouTube Vanced seems like a game-changer for those who want an ad-free experience without the subscription fee. However, I’m curious about the legality and potential risks of using it. What are your thoughts on that?
I’ve been using YouTube Vanced for a while now, and I absolutely love the ad-free experience and extra features like background playback. It really enhances how I consume content on YouTube. However, I do wonder about the long-term effects of using it and whether it could affect creators in terms of revenue. It’s a tough call, but for now, I’m enjoying it! Thanks for the informative post!
Great insights! It’s tempting to use YouTube Vanced for those premium features, especially with the ad-free experience. But I agree, the potential risks and ethical concerns around copyright and app security make it a tricky choice. I think it’s important to weigh the benefits against the consequences. What do others think?
Great insights on YouTube Vanced! The ad-free experience sounds tempting, but I appreciate the reminder about the potential risks involved. It’s a tough choice when it comes to supporting content creators versus the convenience it offers. Thanks for shedding light on both sides!
Great article! YouTube Vanced really does provide some amazing features, especially the ad-free experience. However, I appreciate your points about potential risks and the ethical considerations of using it. It definitely makes me rethink whether the benefits outweigh the downsides.
I appreciate the detailed breakdown of YouTube Vanced’s features! It’s impressive that it offers ad-free viewing and other premium services without any cost, but I wonder about the potential risks involved, especially regarding account safety and updates. Has anyone here had a good experience using it long-term?
I love the idea of YouTube Vanced offering ad-free viewing and other premium features for free, but I’m also concerned about the legality and potential risks involved. It’s great to have alternatives, but are we compromising safety for convenience? Would love to hear more thoughts from others on this!