ReVanced: A Patched YouTube App for Android

ReVanced is an open-source toolchain that patches the official Android YouTube app, producing a modified version with extra features and some parts of the stock experience removed or changed. It isn't an app you download from a store listing — it's a set of tools and patches that transform an existing YouTube APK into a customized one.

It's not made, reviewed, or endorsed by YouTube or Google. It's built and maintained by an independent open-source community.

Quick answer

ReVanced is for Android phones and tablets. It works by patching a copy of the YouTube app and then sideloading the result, since patched apps aren't distributed through the Play Store. It requires some technical comfort — or at least a willingness to follow setup instructions — and periodic reinstallation as YouTube updates its app.

What ReVanced actually changes

ReVanced works through a system of "patches" — individual modifications that can be applied or skipped when building a patched APK. Depending on which patches are selected, commonly cited changes in the wider ReVanced ecosystem include things like ad-blocking within the app, background or picture-in-picture playback without a subscription, and integration with SponsorBlock-style sponsor-segment skipping. Exactly which patches exist and work at any given time changes as YouTube updates its app and as the ReVanced project updates its patches in response — the current, authoritative list lives in the project's own documentation and repositories, not in any third-party description of it.

Compatibility

ReVanced is built around the Android YouTube app, so Android phones and tablets are its real target. It isn't designed for Android TV, Fire TV, or Samsung's Tizen-based TVs, and it has no relationship to Firefox or other browsers — those platforms run a different YouTube experience entirely, and ReVanced's patches don't apply to them. If you're looking for a TV-focused or browser-based approach, it's worth checking a project actually built for that platform instead.

Requirements

Per ReVanced Manager's own documentation, you need an Android device running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or newer. Patching happens on the device itself, so it also needs enough free storage and memory to build the patched app — the project's troubleshooting notes flag low storage/memory as the main cause of slow patching.

Before you start

Enable installing apps from outside the Play Store in your Android device's settings, since ReVanced Manager itself is sideloaded.

Installation and setup

ReVanced Manager — the project's own official app — is used to apply patches to compatible apps directly on your device, rather than downloading a pre-built modified APK from somewhere.

1. Get the current ReVanced Manager release from the official ReVanced site or its GitHub releases.
2. Sideload it onto your Android device, the same way as any app installed from outside the Play Store.
3. Open ReVanced Manager.

Patching an app

According to ReVanced Manager's own documentation, the general workflow inside the app is:

1. Go to the Apps tab.
2. Select an app to patch, or choose select from storage if you already have the APK.
3. Optionally change which patches are selected — the defaults are a reasonable starting point if you're not sure.
4. Optionally choose a specific downloader for fetching the app, if you're offered one.
5. Tap Patch to start the process, and follow any on-screen prompts.
6. Once patching finishes, tap Install to install the patched app directly, or use the save option to export it instead.

Verifying it worked

Once installed, open the patched app and check that it launches normally and that the features you selected patches for are actually present — for example, that a chosen playback or interface change is visible. If patches were skipped or failed, ReVanced Manager will generally indicate that during the patching step rather than after installation.

Updating

Because it's not distributed through the Play Store, ReVanced Manager doesn't update itself automatically — check back at the official site or GitHub releases periodically. Patched apps themselves typically need to be regenerated with a current version of ReVanced Manager and current patches whenever YouTube's official app updates in a way that breaks the previous patched build.

Troubleshooting

Per ReVanced Manager's own troubleshooting documentation:

Patching fails or ReVanced Manager crashes during the process Make sure ReVanced Manager itself is up to date, and if you've changed any patch options, try resetting them to their defaults. Also confirm you're patching a full APK file rather than an APK bundle.

"Patches fail to load" or a similar error This generally means the patches file isn't in the format ReVanced Manager expects, or a remote patches URL isn't reachable — try re-selecting the patches source.

Patching is very slow Use a device with adequate free storage and memory, and expect the process to take a while — the documentation specifically notes this is normal and asks for patience.

"Out of memory" errors during patching Try enabling the experimental Run patcher in another process option in ReVanced Manager's settings.

If none of this resolves it, the official documentation is the authoritative, current source — steps and settings can change between Manager versions.

Limitations

• Not available through the Google Play Store — installation always means sideloading, which is friction some users won't want to deal with.
• Patched builds need to be regenerated or reinstalled periodically as the official YouTube app updates and existing patches stop applying cleanly.
• Using a modified YouTube client may go against YouTube's terms of service, and Google has previously taken enforcement action against modified clients — there's no guarantee that won't happen again.
• Because it's community-maintained, there's no formal support channel comparable to an official app, and specific patches can be added, changed, or dropped between releases.
• It's Android-only in practice — there's no equivalent path for iOS, smart TVs, or desktop browsers.

Alternatives

If sideloading and periodic re-patching sound like more upkeep than you want, a couple of other paths are worth comparing:

• YouTube Premium — removes ads and adds background play through YouTube's own official apps, with no sideloading or patching involved. See the linked comparison for a fuller trade-off breakdown against ReVanced.
• Compatibility guide — if you're on a TV, Fire TV, or browser rather than an Android phone, check which solutions actually target your platform instead.

Frequently asked questions

Is ReVanced an app I install from the Play Store?

No. ReVanced is a patching toolchain, and the resulting patched YouTube build is distributed and installed outside the Play Store, through sideloading.

Does ReVanced work on iPhone or iPad?

No. ReVanced patches the Android YouTube app specifically. There's no iOS equivalent, since the patching process depends on the Android app's structure.

Will ReVanced always keep working after YouTube updates?

Not automatically. YouTube app updates can break existing patches, and the ReVanced project has to update its patches in response. There's typically a gap, and availability and compatibility can change over time.

Is using ReVanced against YouTube's terms of service?

Using a modified client can conflict with YouTube's terms, and Google has taken action against modified YouTube apps before. It's worth weighing that risk and checking the project's current documentation before installing anything.

What Android version do I need for ReVanced Manager?

Android 8.0 (Oreo) or newer, per the project's own documentation.

Patching gets stuck or fails — what should I check first?

Make sure ReVanced Manager itself is up to date, that you're patching a full APK rather than a bundle, and that any custom patch options are reset to their defaults. Slow patching is often just a sign of limited storage or memory on the device — that's expected, not necessarily an error.

Official source

For the most accurate and current information, check the project's own website, repository, or documentation.

Visit official source: ReVanced (revanced.app)↗(opens the ReVanced website in a new tab)