YouTube Vanced was the most popular modded version of YouTube for Android, offering ad blocking, background playback, and a host of premium features for free. Google shut down Vanced in March 2022 with a cease-and-desist letter, and the original project is no longer maintained. However, the open-source community quickly stepped in with ReVanced, the true spiritual successor. This guide covers what happened to YouTube Vanced, how to safely install ReVanced on your Android device, and the best alternatives available in 2026.
- What Happened to YouTube Vanced?
- What is ReVanced?
- How to Install ReVanced on Android (Step by Step)
- Step 1: Install MicroG
- Step 2: Install ReVanced Manager
- Step 3: Download the Recommended YouTube APK
- Step 4: Select Patches
- Step 5: Patch and Install
- Safety and Security Tips
- ReVanced vs YouTube Premium
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is ReVanced safe?
- Does ReVanced work on iPhone?
- Do I need root access?
- Will my YouTube account get banned?
- How do I update ReVanced?
- Alternatives to ReVanced
What Happened to YouTube Vanced?
YouTube Vanced was a modified version of the official YouTube app that added features Google reserved for YouTube Premium. It blocked all ads, enabled background playback, and let you download videos for offline viewing. At its peak, millions of Android users relied on Vanced for an enhanced YouTube experience.
In March 2022, the Vanced team received a cease-and-desist letter from Google and shut down the project. The official website was taken down, and development stopped entirely. Vanced no longer works reliably — the old APKs can break at any time and downloading them from third-party sites is risky because many now distribute malware.
The good news is that ReVanced was created as an open-source replacement. Unlike Vanced, which distributed pre-patched APKs, ReVanced provides a patcher tool that you run on your own device. This approach is legally safer and keeps working as YouTube updates.
What is ReVanced?
ReVanced is the open-source successor to YouTube Vanced. Instead of downloading a ready-made modded APK, you use the ReVanced Manager app to patch the official YouTube APK on your phone. This means you always get the latest version of YouTube with the mods applied on top.
ReVanced offers all the same features as Vanced plus more:
- Ad Blocking — Removes all video and banner ads
- Background Play — Play audio with the screen off
- SponsorBlock — Skip sponsored segments automatically
- Return YouTube Dislike — Brings back the dislike counter
- Picture-in-Picture (PiP) — Watch in a small window while using other apps
- AMOLED Black Theme — True black mode for OLED screens
- Custom Theme Colors — Change the accent color of the app
- Swipe Controls — Adjust brightness and volume with gestures
All of these features work without rooting your device, and ReVanced is completely free with no ads or tracking.
How to Install ReVanced on Android (Step by Step)
Follow these steps to install ReVanced on any Android device running Android 8.0 or newer. You do not need root access.
Step 1: Install MicroG
MicroG is required to sign in to your Google account inside ReVanced. Without it, you can still watch videos, but you cannot access your subscriptions, playlists, or history.
Download the latest MicroG APK from the official ReVanced GitHub releases page. Enable “Install from unknown sources” when prompted. Open the downloaded file and tap Install.
Step 2: Install ReVanced Manager
ReVanced Manager handles the patching process. Download the latest ReVanced Manager APK from the official GitHub releases. Install it the same way you installed MicroG.
Step 3: Download the Recommended YouTube APK
Open ReVanced Manager and go to the Patcher tab. Tap “Select an application” and then “Suggested”. The app will show the recommended YouTube version that works with the latest patches. Tap the download icon to fetch it automatically.
Step 4: Select Patches
Once the YouTube APK is downloaded, ReVanced Manager shows a list of available patches. By default, the most popular patches are pre-selected:
- MicroG Support
- Ad Blocking
- Background Play
- SponsorBlock
- Return YouTube Dislike
You can toggle additional patches like Custom Theme or Enable Widevine. Leave the defaults if you are unsure.
Step 5: Patch and Install
Tap “Patch” and wait for the process to complete. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. Once patching finishes, tap “Install” to install the modded YouTube APK. After installation, open the app and sign in with your Google account (MicroG handles the login).
You now have a fully functional ad-free YouTube with background playback and all premium features — completely free.
Safety and Security Tips
Only download ReVanced files from the official GitHub repository (github.com/revanced). Fake sites pretending to offer ReVanced downloads often contain malware. The official project never charges money for downloads or requires you to disable antivirus protection.
If you are concerned about privacy, ReVanced is fully open source. You can inspect the code yourself or rely on the community to audit it. The patcher runs entirely on your device and does not send data anywhere.
ReVanced vs YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium costs around $13.99 per month and gives you ad-free viewing, background play, downloads, and YouTube Music. ReVanced offers the same features for free but requires manual updates every few months when YouTube pushes a new version.
If you prefer convenience and want to support creators directly, YouTube Premium is the official route. If you want the features without the subscription cost, ReVanced is an excellent free alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ReVanced safe?
Yes, if you download it from the official GitHub repository. The project is open source and has been audited by the community. Avoid third-party download sites that bundle malware with the APK.
Does ReVanced work on iPhone?
No. ReVanced is Android-only. iOS users can try sideloading uYouPlus or using a browser-based ad blocker like AdGuard for Safari.
Do I need root access?
No. The standard installation method works on any non-rooted Android device running Android 8.0 or newer.
Will my YouTube account get banned?
Google has not banned accounts for using ReVanced as of 2026. The risk is very low, but you should use a secondary Google account if you are concerned.
How do I update ReVanced?
Open ReVanced Manager, check for updated patches, and re-patch the latest YouTube APK. The process is the same as the initial installation.
Alternatives to ReVanced
If ReVanced is not for you, consider these options:
- YouTube Premium — Official ad-free experience with background play for $13.99/month
- NewPipe — A lightweight, open-source YouTube front-end that does not require a Google account
- Vivaldi Browser — Built-in ad blocker and background playback on Android
- Brave Browser — Blocks YouTube ads and plays audio in the background
For downloading YouTube videos, check our guide on top YouTube to WAV converters. If you need subtitles from videos, our guide to downloading YouTube subtitles covers the best tools. And for converting downloaded files, see our WebM to MP4 conversion guide.
