YouTube for Android problems

[JBentleyR]

Hi. I have recently found problems arising with my YouTube for Android app on my Nexus 5.
Often it just will not load - all I see is the rotating ring on a white background, yet I can open YouTube in Chrome without any problems.
Then on other occasions when it does load, I find adverts cropping up from time to time which I never noticed before.

Have changes been made recently?

Is there any way of removing the adverts? When I watch YouTube on my computer using Firefox I do not see adverts, although that may be because I have installed AdBlock Plus.

Are there any alternative apps that work well and do not include adverts? I don't mind paying for a YouTube app that is advert-free.

Is there such a thing as ad blockers for use with Android apps?

 

[El Presidente]

Generally, you need root and I'm not sure if they work reliably on Youtube videos, sorry.

There is adaway: https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=org.adaway

Alternatively, there is an Xposed plugin designed specifically for Youtube.

 

[JBentleyR]

Thanks. I presume that Adaway and the Xposed plugin both require the phone to be rooted. I'd rather not go down that route, but thanks for your help.

 

[El Presidente]

Yep, both require root unfortunately.

 

[funkylogik]

Ad blockers have to put files in a system folder so they all need root access
The exposed module Youtube AdAway is the only one ive found that works on youtube :thumbup:

 

[JBentleyR]

Thank you both. I cannot see any advantage of having the YouTube app, at least as it is at the moment, when I can instantly load YouTube on my Chrome browser.
Lots of people seem to agree when I look at reviews on the App Store site.

I think the answer, then, is just to ditch it.

To be honest, I haven't seen any adverts when viewing YouTube on the browser, but that could just be my good luck.