Youtube client discussion

[unknownghost]

So, Youtube is a piece of shit. I personally use Grayjay as my Youtube client since every single other one is broken. I created this thread for y’all to discuss different techniques for making Youtube actually work. I’ll start

So, here is Russia Youtube is extensively blocked. I resolve this by using Tor (InviZible), which makes Youtube require an account, so I log in. (without logging in Grayjay will loop on “Attempting login fallback …”). Sometimes the video stops at 59, which I resolve by restarting Tor and Grayjay a couple of times.

[cwsoel]

@unknownghost

here is Russia Youtube is extensively blocked. I resolve this by using Tor (InviZible), which makes Youtube require an account

Is DPI bypassing software appropriate for your threat model? (should only bother you if your ISP/government explicitly spies on your activity): https://github.com/ValdikSS/GoodbyeDPI?tab=readme-ov-file#similar-projects

link quote

• zapret by @bol-van (for MacOS, Linux and Windows)
• Green Tunnel by @SadeghHayeri (for MacOS, Linux and Windows)
• DPI Tunnel CLI by @zhenyolka (for Linux and routers)
• DPI Tunnel for Android by @zhenyolka (for Android)
• PowerTunnel by @krlvm (for Windows, MacOS and Linux)
• PowerTunnel for Android by @krlvm (for Android)
• SpoofDPI by @xvzc (for macOS and Linux)
• GhosTCP by @macronut (for Windows)
• ByeDPI for Linux/Windows + ByeDPIAndroid for Android (no root)
• youtubeUnblock by @Waujito (for OpenWRT/Entware routers and Linux)

It won’t require a Google account since your IP hasn’t been changed, while still obtaining access to YouTube videos.

[unknownghost]

@cwsoel

Is DPI bypassing software appropriate for your threat model? (should only bother you if your ISP/government explicitly spies on your activity)

I started writing this reply with “Youtube is just https”, but I think is actually uses DASH for video, so DPI bypassing software might help. I will try it

[Momud]

YouTube ReVanced’s modifications are open source.

[BlackHeart]

I agree with your first statement in post. Youtube has doubled down on ad blockers and other client apps recently. LibreTube’s invidious proxies almost stopped working and they had to push update to use local extractor. I use grayjay app which works fine for me for now (without VPN) and newpipe which is also work fine for now (without VPN). As I have heard, they are also blocking some VPNs IPs too.

[thetourist]

I have tried out all of the clients and frontends I have heard of, but only two actually worked every time: FreeTube (desktop, web, and Android); and PokeTube (web).

[PrivacyFounder]

I guess you chose widely used frontends, some less known invidious instances always work (at least for me). Piped didn’t work and I don’t know if it does now

[thetourist]

Yeah, things have changed a bit as of late. FreeTube is still going strong, but Poketube isn’t.

I now use an unorthodox method: CloudTube, using Invidious as a backend, which in turn is going through Farside to determine a working instance.