If you didn't like the official YouTube app, there were plenty of other options. YouTube Vanced was one of them, a modified version of the original app that included features like ad blocking, background playback, and many more without charging users like YouTube's Premium tier. We even included it on our list of the top independent applications available. It gained even more traction by reintroducing hate counts in videos, just as Google had eliminated them from their service. It's worth noting that we've been talking about the mod in the past tense. That's because we've come to pay our respects to YouTube Vanced.
The project's creators announced the app's demise on Sunday via the app's official Telegram channel and on the Vanced Twitter account. There was no clear cause offered for its demise, so we can only surmise — but it's likely owing to Google's legal department taking note of Vanced. The tech behemoth has recently cracked down on unlicensed clients, including Groovy and Rythm, two popular Discord bots for listening to music on a server. Those were removed when YouTube sent cease and desist letters to the creators. It's hardly a big stretch to think that anything similar happened here.
The ease of use of YouTube Vanced drew some ardent supporters. Many Premium features, such as background playback and ad blocking, were unlocked or evaded by the programme, and it added features that YouTube didn't like at all, such as those annoying hate counts. Recently, the app changed to just "Vanced," and it erased most mentions of YouTube from its website — apparently in an attempt to avoid legal wrangling with Google.
Vanced was never the sole YouTube alternative. Others include the open-source NewPipe app, which is lighter than the official version. However, YouTube Vanced had a large user base, which we will miss. It will no longer be updated, but you may still obtain the most recent version. But hurry, because the download links will expire soon.
