There’s nothing wrong with YouTube as it is, but for a lot of people who use it daily, the small annoyances can start adding up. The ads, the way background audio is blocked, and how quality settings never stay put. If these things have bothered you too, you’re not alone. YouTube Vanced has been helping users quietly fix these problems for a while now. It’s not just about blocking ads. It’s more about taking control of how you want to use the app. So here, we will walk through what Vanced does, what ReVanced adds to it, and some features many still overlook.
What is YouTube Vanced?
YouTube Vanced is a modified version of the official YouTube app that was designed mainly for Android users. It gives users features that usually come with YouTube Premium but without having to pay. Like playing videos with the screen off, skipping ads entirely, and letting you pick your default video quality. The app stopped official development a while back, but the idea didn’t die with it. That’s where ReVanced came in. It keeps the same spirit going but updates it so it still works with the latest YouTube versions. Most users find that once they try it, they don’t want to go back to the regular app anymore.
Vanced With ReVanced Patches
Even though the original Vanced project ended, ReVanced picked it up with patching tools that still allow all the great features to be used. ReVanced Manager helps you apply only the patches you need, which means your YouTube experience can be customized to how you like it. The best part is, you don’t need root access. Everything works on non-rooted Android devices. The patching process may sound complex, but once you do it once, it’s very simple to repeat when updates come.
Remove ads
One of the most common reasons people switch to Vanced is to stop ads. Whether it's banner ads or video ones, they get removed fully. That means you can just hit play and watch straight through without any interruptions. It feels a lot cleaner, especially if you're watching playlists or longer videos where ads normally stack up over time. Many people say it makes YouTube feel the way it used to years ago.
Background audio
Another big win with Vanced is the background play. If you're playing music or long podcast videos, and need to answer a message or lock your phone, the video doesn’t stop. The audio just keeps going. This is one of the biggest things people miss when they go back to the regular app. With this, it’s like using a real music player inside YouTube.
Blacker theme
There’s dark mode, and then there's AMOLED black mode. This one is even darker and helps save battery on OLED screens. It also reduces glare when watching at night or in low light rooms. Once you use this for a few days, the normal bright background really starts to feel a bit harsh. It's a simple change but one of the most liked ones.
Swipe gestures
Adjusting brightness or volume during a video is smoother with Vanced. Instead of using the buttons or going into menus, you can just swipe on the screen. It doesn’t interrupt what you're watching and becomes a habit real fast. This is especially useful when watching videos in full screen, where controls normally hide.
Video quality lock
Sometimes you load a video, and it starts in 144p even when the network is fine. That gets annoying. Vanced lets you choose what quality to default to when you're on Wi-Fi or mobile data. So instead of changing it every time, it just remembers and does it for you. One less thing to deal with when watching.
Auto skip sponsors
SponsorBlock inside Vanced is a feature that skips over parts of a video where sponsors are mentioned. This relies on users marking those sections, so over time it becomes smarter. If you watch a lot of tech or review channels, this is very useful. You just get the actual content and skip the ads people read out.
How To Download and Install YouTube Vanced
Since Vanced isn’t on Play Store anymore, you will need to install it through other means. One safe way is using the steps below.
- Visit youtubevanced.org
- Download the Vanced Manager from there
- Open it and install both MicroG and YouTube Vanced
- Let it finish installing and then open the app
- Sign in with your Google account if needed
- Start using it just like regular YouTube
FAQ
Do I need root to use Vanced? No, you don’t need to root. That’s part of what makes it easy for most people. You just install it using the Vanced Manager and everything works like a normal app.
Will my account get banned? So far, there are no reports of users getting banned just for using Vanced. As long as you don’t use it to break any terms like uploading stolen stuff or spamming, your account should be fine.
Is it legal to use? This is more of a grey area. Since it modifies an official app, it goes against Google’s terms. But for personal use, and as long as you’re not making money off it or distributing your own copy, most people haven’t had any issues.
What if I want to uninstall it? You can just delete the Vanced app and MicroG like any other app. There’s nothing permanent or risky about it. If you don’t like it or face problems, removing it is very simple.
Does this work on all Android phones? It works on most of them. As long as you have Android 6 or higher and can install apps from outside the Play Store, it should run fine. Some newer phones may need you to give extra permission, but that’s about it.
Conclusion
YouTube Vanced isn’t just for power users. Even if you only watch a few videos a day, having the ability to skip ads, play audio in the background, or avoid sponsor parts can make it feel much better. With ReVanced keeping it alive, it keeps working smoothly even now. If you’re ready to try YouTube in a way that feels more personal and less frustrating, this could be the right time to switch.
