I recently discovered SmartTube Next for Android TV to get an ad free experience and integrated Sponsorblock on my Nvidia Shield TV.

I found NewPipe for my phone but I don’t see a way to connect my YouTube account to it and I guess I need to import my subs manually every time I change something.

So I’m wondering if there is an alternative YouTube app that is blocking ads (and ideally integrates Sponsorblock) for my smartphone and has the ability to connect my YouTube account like SmartTube Next does?

  • Ilandar@aussie.zoneEnglish
    0·
    6 months ago

    Try Grayjay. It’s free (though you can buy a license to support its development) and open source has fully viewable source code. You can login through the YouTube plugin’s settings and either stay logged in or import all your subscriptions and then logout to avoid any further Google tracking. It’s pretty stable compared to other FOSS YouTube apps and also has plugins for Twitch, Nebula and other video/audio content platforms. The YouTube plugin supports SponsorBlock and dislikes. Grayjay is being actively developed by the FUTO organisation, so is unlikely to randomly die like can sometimes happen with other FOSS projects.

    Depending on how you use YouTube, the one significant downside may be the complete lack of support for Shorts. Not only can you not access Shorts from inside Grayjay, but if you open a Shorts link inside the application you cannot play it in full screen vertical. I am not a Shorts viewer (I used to disable it in ReVanced) but other FOSS apps like LibreTube support Shorts so this is one notable point of difference with Grayjay.

    @unknowing8343@discuss.tchncs.de

      • Ilandar@aussie.zoneEnglish
        0·
        6 months ago

        If it is free to download, free to use and has no pay nagging or restrictions then it is effectively free to any user. As I said, you can buy a license to support its development and this is clearly what they would like you to do, but there is nothing forcing you to pay.

          • FutileRecipe@lemmy.worldEnglish
            0·
            6 months ago

            The difference is that you are expected to pay. Louis and FUTO are very explicit about this.

            I don’t really follow them, but I did skim the Grayjay FAQ, and it never says that. Just that they make money by selling licenses, no subscription, and it works identically without paying. I don’t suppose you have a source that is more explicit than the official Grayjay FAQ page?

            https://grayjay.app/#faq

      • Ilandar@aussie.zoneEnglish
        0·
        6 months ago

        You’re technically correct, if I recall they decided to release it under an alternative license after seeing other FOSS YouTube clients like NewPipe being forked, loaded with ads and then put on the Play Store. This gives FUTO the option of pursuing legal action if bad actors attempt to do the same with their app. However, it is free and the source code is viewable.