The YouTube app on Android often feels overloaded, sluggish, and inundated with advertisements. A notable drawback is its capability to track every video viewed. Enter NewPipe, a fully open-source alternative to the YouTube app that prioritizes user privacy and eliminates ads entirely. Previous discussions have highlighted methods to enjoy ad-free YouTube content, and NewPipe stands out as an excellent choice for Android users.

Even more impressive, NewPipe enables audio playback from videos in the background, making it an ideal option for multitasking. Whether it’s music, podcasts, or video essays on YouTube, users can engage in these activities without needing to have the screen active. Additionally, the application features a picture-in-picture mode, allowing video playback while using other apps, and permits video downloads for offline viewing. These functionalities typically require a paid YouTube Premium subscription, making NewPipe exceptionally valuable.

However, a few limitations should be considered. One major constraint is that users cannot sign into their Google accounts, which means subscriptions won’t sync with the application. Additionally, there’s no personalized content recommendation algorithm. This absence is anticipated in any app focused on maintaining user privacy but is something to bear in mind.

On a positive note, users can still manage subscriptions by manually adding channels within the app, thereby creating a personalized feed from trusted creators. The bookmarking feature allows users to save playlists or videos for later viewing, empowering them to take more control over their watching habits. For those who switch devices, NewPipe also facilitates subscription and playlist export and import, making transitions seamless.

Another consideration is that NewPipe is not available on the Google Play Store. To install it, users can download the .apk file directly from the website, which requires enabling installations from “unknown sources” on their devices. Alternatively, installing NewPipe through F-Droid is advisable, as this open-source app store streamlines updates and simplifies installation processes.