Download YouTube Vanced APK
Download YouTube Vanced APK and get ad-free YouTube on your Android device, completely free. No subscription, no root required. Background play, SponsorBlock, and Picture-in-Picture all built in.
- Safe File
- Android 5.0+
- Background Play
- Safe Download
- Ad-Free
- Background Play
- SponsorBlock
- No Root
- PiP Mode
- Dark Mode
What is YouTube Vanced APK?
YouTube Vanced is a modified version of the official YouTube app that removes ads and unlocks background play. It also adds features Google never offered for free. It was built by a small team of independent developers. They wanted the same experience YouTube Premium offered, ad-free viewing, picture-in-picture, and background audio, without paying a monthly subscription.
The project launched in 2017 and grew into one of the most installed Android mods ever made. It was reportedly used by over 100 million people at its peak. Vanced did not require root access and worked on almost any Android device. It was distributed entirely outside the Google Play Store through its own Vanced Manager app.
In March 2022, Google sent the development team a legal notice. The notice cited trademark concerns over the app’s branding and use of YouTube’s name. Rather than fight a legal battle against Google, the Vanced team shut the project down. They released a final statement confirming no further updates would be made.
The last working build, version 19.16.39, and later community-patched builds up to 20.47.62, still function on most Android devices. This is because YouTube has not changed its core app structure enough to break it completely that is why Youtube Revanced is still working.
YouTube Vanced vs YouTube Premium APK
Both mods unlock similar features, but they are built differently and offer almost the same features.
| Feature | YouTube Vanced | YouTube Premium APK |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-free Viewing | ||
| Background Play | ||
| SponsorBlock | ||
| Picture-in-Picture | ||
| Still Receiving Updates | Since 2022 | Regularly |
| Based on Official YouTube App | Outdated Version | Latest Version |
| Dislike Counter Restored | ||
| YouTube Music Included | ||
| 4K Download Unlock | Limited | Full 4K |
| Root Required |
Key Features of YouTube Vanced APK
Ad-Free Viewing
YouTube Vanced blocks every type of ad the platform runs. There is no 5-second countdown, no skip button to tap, and no forced ad break waiting for you on a 20-minute video. This was the single feature that made Vanced famous in the first place, and it is still the main reason people search for it today.
Background Play
The official YouTube app stops your video the moment you lock your phone or switch to another app. That means no listening to music, podcasts, or lectures unless your screen stays on the entire time. YouTube Vanced removes that restriction completely. Lock your screen, open another app, or put your phone in your pocket, the audio keeps playing without interruption.
SponsorBlock
YouTube Vanced has SponsorBlock built directly into the app. When you play a video, it skips those segments on its own. No tapping, no fast-forwarding, no sitting through a 60-second ad read you never asked for. The database updates daily, so it works across millions of videos uploaded every single day.
Dark Mode — Easy on Eyes, Saves Battery
YouTube added a basic dark mode to its official app years ago, but switching it on and off still takes several clicks through settings every time. YouTube Vanced puts a one-tap toggle right in the app, no extra clicks through menus required.
Dark mode is easier on your eyes during night viewing and reduces the harsh white glare from a bright screen. On OLED and AMOLED displays, it also saves real battery life, since black pixels on those screens consume almost zero power.
Dislike Count Restored
This mod version contains the real public dislike count back button. It shows up right below every video, exactly like it used to before the change. You can see how many people disliked a video before spending 15 minutes watching something that turns out to be a waste of time.
Additional Features
Is YouTube Vanced Safe to Install?
No root required: Vanced installs like a standard APK and does not need root access or any system modification.
Virus-free confirmation: The APK file of Youtube Vanced hosted on this page has been verified clean using VirusTotal. We recommend you to verify the APK downloaded from this website yourself before installing: go to virustotal.com, upload the file, and check the scan results. A clean file will show zero or near-zero detections.
Data privacy: YouTube Vanced uses MicroG, a lightweight open-source replacement for Google Play Services. MicroG is the component that allows you to sign in to your Google account inside Vanced. It does not log or transmit any additional data beyond what the official YouTube app sends to Google.
SHA-256 verification tip: For extra security, compare the SHA-256 hash of your downloaded file against the hash published on the release page. If the hashes match, the file has not been tampered with.
Device Compatibility & Known Issues
YouTube Vanced works on a wide range of Android devices, but there are some important compatibility notes.
| Android Version | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Supported (MicroG required) |
| Android 6.0–8.1 | Fully supported |
| Android 9.0–12 | Fully supported |
| Android 13–14 | Works on most devices, some login issues |
| Android 15+ | Variable — use ReVanced for better support |
Brand-Specific Notes
Huawei & Honor
These devices ship without Google Play Services. Install GMSCore, the MicroG build made specifically for Huawei hardware. Standard MicroG will not work here.
Xiaomi & MIUI
MIUI Optimization can stop background audio when the screen locks. Go to Settings → Battery → YouTube Vanced → No restrictions. If it still cuts out, disable MIUI Optimization in Developer Options.
Samsung One UI 5+
Background play works out of the box on most Samsung phones. If picture-in-picture isn’t showing up, enable it under Settings → Apps → Special app access → Picture-in-Picture.
Android TV & TV boxes
YouTube Vanced does not run on Android TV or TV boxes. Use SmartTubeNext instead, it’s built specifically for TV interfaces and remote navigation.
Known Issues in v20.47.62:
Google account login fails
Some users on Android 14 report login failing on the first attempt.
Fix availableClear app data, reinstall MicroG, then retry login.
Chromecast casting issues
Casting may be unreliable on newer firmware.
WorkaroundReVanced handles casting more reliably if this affects you.
Shorts autoplay loop
YouTube Shorts autoplay occasionally loops unexpectedly on some devices.
No fix yet
Version History — Old Versions
Some users prefer older versions when a new YouTube update breaks mod features. Every verified release is listed below.
YouTube Vanced Alternatives
YouTube ReVanced
Full featureskept currentBuilt by former Vanced community members. Patches the official YouTube APK on every update. Includes ad blocking, background play, SponsorBlock, PiP, and dislike count.
NewPipe
Privacy firstno Google APIsOpen-source client using no Google APIs. No account, no tracking, no ads. Existing subscriptions and history won’t carry over unless imported manually.
LibreTube
Anti-trackinghides your IPRoutes traffic through the Piped API so your IP is never exposed to YouTube. Supports subscriptions, playlists, and comments. No Google account required.
SmartTubeNext
For Android TV10-foot UIBuilt exclusively for Android TV and TV boxes. Ad-free playback, SponsorBlock, and a remote-friendly interface for the living room.
Pros & Cons of YouTube Vanced
Pros
Cons
⭐ My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.6/5 Reviewed by our team — June 2026I’ve had Vanced installed on three different phones at this point, and honestly, it still does the one thing people actually want: no ads, anywhere, ever. Not “fewer” ads. None. Background play hasn’t glitched on me once in the last few months, and SponsorBlock quietly chews through sponsor segments so I don’t even think about it anymore.
Here’s the part nobody likes admitting — this thing is dead software. There’s been no real security update since 2022, the original devs aren’t coming back, and whatever you’re running is whatever the community last patched together. On the newest Android builds you might hit the occasional install error or a feature that randomly stops working, and there’s no support line to complain to. You’re on your own.
So where does that leave things in 2026? If Vanced already runs fine on your phone, don’t touch it — leave it alone and keep using it. But if you’re starting from zero and weighing your options, I’d point you toward ReVanced instead. It’s the one still getting updated, which matters more than people think once Android itself moves on.
FAQs
Conclusion
YouTube Vanced APK remains one of the most downloaded Android mods of all time for a reason: it delivers a genuinely better YouTube experience than the official app, for free. Ad-free playback, background play, SponsorBlock, picture-in-picture, and a restored dislike counter are features millions of users rely on daily.
The honest reality in 2026 is that Vanced is discontinued software. It still works, and community builds like v20.47.62 have extended its life meaningfully — but it will not receive official security updates or new features from a development team going forward.
For users who want the most reliable, future-proof option, we recommend YouTube ReVanced. For users who have Vanced installed and working, it continues to be an excellent experience.
[DOWNLOAD: YouTube Vanced APK v20.47.62 — Free for Android]