YouTube Vanced was a popular modded version of the official YouTube app, offering users an ad-free experience, background playback, and other premium features without requiring a YouTube Premium subscription. However, due to legal issues with Google, the app was discontinued. Despite its shutdown, many users still seek alternatives to enjoy similar functionalities.
What is YouTube Vanced?
YouTube Vanced official is an Android application that modified the official YouTube app, providing advanced features that were typically available only to YouTube Premium subscribers. The app gained popularity due to its ability to block ads, enable background playback, and offer additional customization options.
Key Features of YouTube Vanced
Ad-Free Experience
One of the main attractions of YouTube Vanced was its built-in ad blocker, which removed advertisements from videos, allowing users to watch content uninterrupted.
Background Playback
Unlike the official YouTube app, which requires a YouTube Premium subscription for background playback, YouTube Vanced allowed users to listen to videos even when the app was minimized or the screen was turned off.
Sponsor Block Integration
The app included a feature called SponsorBlock, which automatically skipped sponsored segments within videos, improving the viewing experience.
Dark and AMOLED Themes
YouTube Vanced offered customizable themes, including dark and AMOLED black modes, which helped save battery life on OLED screens and provided a better viewing experience.
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode
The app supported PiP mode, enabling users to watch videos in a small floating window while using other apps on their device.
Video Resolution Override
Users could override YouTube’s resolution restrictions, allowing them to play videos in higher quality even on low-end devices.
Customization Options
YouTube Vanced provided various customization settings, including the ability to adjust playback speed, enable swipe controls for volume and brightness, and change the default video resolution.
Why Was YouTube Vanced Discontinued?
In early 2022, YouTube Vanced developers announced that they had discontinued the project due to legal pressure from Google. Since the app modified YouTube’s services and provided premium features for free, it violated Google’s terms of service. As a result, YouTube Vanced was taken down, and its official website was shut down.
Alternatives to YouTube Vanced
Although YouTube Vanced is no longer available, several alternative apps offer similar features:
- Revanced – A community-driven successor to YouTube Vanced, offering ad-blocking, background playback, and customization features.
- NewPipe – A lightweight open-source app that allows ad-free YouTube streaming without requiring Google Play Services.
- SkyTube – Another open-source YouTube client that blocks ads and provides a smooth viewing experience.
- YouTube Premium – The official way to access YouTube without ads and enjoy background playback legally.
Conclusion
YouTube Vanced was a favorite among users looking for an enhanced YouTube experience without paying for a subscription. Although it is no longer available, alternatives like Revanced and NewPipe continue to provide similar benefits. However, users should always be cautious when downloading modded apps, as they may pose security risks. The safest option remains subscribing to YouTube Premium for an ad-free and legal experience.