this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2026
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SmartTube — an Open-Source Alternative to the Official YouTube App on Android TV (Security Update Included) (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 week ago by cm0002@digipres.cafe to c/opensource@programming.dev
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SmartTube is a free and open-source YouTube client for Android TV and TV boxes. It removes ads, supports SponsorBlock, works without Google Services, and is designed for large screens and remote controls.

Note: the developer recently disclosed a build environment compromise and has since rotated keys, rebuilt the environment, and added additional verification steps. Users should update to the latest version and verify sources. GitHub: https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube

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[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 27 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Been using this for years, it's fantastic. You have to stay on top of updates as they are in a regular wack-a-mole cycle with Google.

[–] Pringles@sopuli.xyz 9 points 1 week ago

I concur it's a fantastic app. Especially the sponsor block is brilliant.

[–] pfr@piefed.social 12 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Smart tube is great, but can we please just get Grayjay on smart TVs plz

[–] Syndication@lemmy.today 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

I wish they made something for Linux. I just used something called "VacuumTube" so I can use it on my steam deck, but literally just today I'm locked out of using it now. It says some error about "the video file is encrypted and can't be played, try logging out" and now it doesn't work on my main YT account. Ugh ...

Edit and a foreboding warning from my other comment:

It turns out my account was a part of some A/B testing "experiment" that makes ALL YouTube videos encrypted, so third party apps don't work. It wasn't VaccumTubes fault. The only way I could get around it was by switching accounts. It makes me worried that YouTube will go through with this "experiment" and screw over many other programs like the suggested FreeTube in the near future. They already use this encryption on the TV and Movies you can "watch free with ads" on YouTube. I guess YT wants to use it for normal videos too. Yikes.

[–] dingleberrylover@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Maybe have a look at Freetube.

[–] Syndication@lemmy.today 4 points 1 week ago

Thanks, will do!

[–] JustEnoughDucks@feddit.nl 3 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I don't have a deck, so maybe this is a dumb question, but why doesn't Firefox/zen/etc... With ublock origin work? I have used that for a decade on my desktop with no problems

[–] Syndication@lemmy.today 3 points 1 week ago

Oh no that works too. That's what I am using now and was using beforehand, but VaccumTube was nice because it had more controller friendly UI/Controls for the SteamDeck. Using a controller as a mouse cursor kinda sucks. Plus you could dock your steamdeck and cast from your phone. It was nice.

Youtube artificially slows down the loading of videos on browsers like Firefox and especially for Ublock Origin users. I even get a little message saying "Experiencing issues? Find out why" and loading anything on the site takes longer. I even tested this theory by putting it in a fake virtual credit card and getting a free YT Premium trial. Magically the website is worked just fine on Firefox and the message no longer appeared... I refuse to pay Google though.

It turns out my account was a part of some A/B testing "experiment" that makes ALL YouTube videos encrypted, so third party apps don't work. It wasn't VaccumTubes fault. The only way I could get around it was by switching accounts. It makes me worried that YouTube will go through with this "experiment" and screw over many other programs like the suggested FreeTube in the near future. They already use this encryption on the TV and Movies you can "watch free with ads" on YouTube. I guess YT wants to use it for normal videos too. Yikes.

:::

[–] dangrousperson@feddit.org 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It does and its what I've been using. But its the Desktop Site and I assume they want to (as I do) use a controller or remote and a TV optimized interface.

Just looked up VacuumTube, that they mentioned, and it seems to fit the bill perfectly (for me) and I'll check it out later

[–] Syndication@lemmy.today 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yup that's why I liked it. I of course use Firefox with all the extensions too on the steamdeck as the other person mentioned, but it's just not as nice using a controller to browse sites as easily. You should check it out, you can even cast to it like a TV. VaccumTube works fine, see my edit. Just pray your account isn't a part of that experiment that encrypts all the video streams. Seems YT is trying to get really strict with adblockers.

[–] dangrousperson@feddit.org 1 points 1 week ago

Ok, thanks for the heads up. I installed the Flatpak and works great so far. I'll know what the cause is if I get a similar error

[–] dumbass@piefed.social 5 points 1 week ago

I got my mum onto that so she can binge watch the court cases she's addicted to without all the shitty ads, she's not that great with tech nowadays but she flies though SmartTube with ease.

[–] Zedstrian@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 week ago

Helpfully, the app displays updates in-app when they become available.

[–] IAmNorRealTakeYourMeds@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

needed this for so long. installed revanced on TV was a pain and gave up, just found and installed it earlier today. AND NOW I SEE IT HERE!!?

WHY didn't you post it last month/year!!!

[–] dingleberrylover@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I wish there was something like that for Apple TV.

[–] djdarren@piefed.social 2 points 1 week ago

I ended up building an app that's literally just a button that takes a link in my clipboard and passes it to yt-dlp, which then downloads the video in the best format for Apple TV to my Jellyfin server. That's the only way I have of watching YouTube on Apple TV without having to tolerate half a dozen ads per fifteen minute video.

[–] Tundra_Lifeform@piefed.social 1 points 1 week ago

Hmm doesent work for samsung tv's, does it? I have a homebrewn app (not mine) called Tizentube