YouTube’s Android app often feels cluttered, slow, and inundated with ads, while also tracking every video you watch. A compelling alternative is NewPipe, a free and open-source Android interface for YouTube that prioritizes user privacy and eliminates ads. As previously discussed, there are various ways to enjoy ad-free YouTube videos, and NewPipe stands out as arguably the best option for Android users.
What’s even more appealing is that NewPipe allows audio playback from videos in the background, making it ideal for multitasking. Whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or video essays on YouTube, you can easily do so while attending to other tasks without needing to keep your screen active. The app also features picture-in-picture mode, enabling you to watch videos while using other applications, and it offers the ability to download videos for offline viewing. These functionalities are typically reserved for a paid YouTube Premium subscription.
However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. For instance, you cannot sign in to your Google account, which means your subscriptions won’t be synced within the app. Additionally, there’s no algorithm to recommend videos, a trade-off that comes with prioritizing privacy.
On the bright side, you can manually add subscriptions within the app, allowing you to curate a personalized feed of videos from trusted creators. NewPipe also provides a bookmarking feature to save playlists or videos for later viewing. This allows for a more proactive approach to selecting your preferred content. Plus, the app supports exporting and importing subscriptions and playlists, making it convenient when switching devices.
Another potential downside is the installation process, as NewPipe isn’t available on Google Play. You’ll need to either download the .apk file from the website, which requires enabling installation from “unknown” sources, or opt for F-Droid, a dedicated app store for open-source Android applications, which simplifies the installation of updates.
