# How to Block YouTube Ads

YouTube serves ads from the same domains as the videos themselves. This makes DNS level blocking ineffective. 

If you want a seamless ad free experience across every device you own, get YouTube Premium. It works natively on smart TVs, gaming consoles, phones, and desktop browsers. You avoid configuration and maintenance entirely. You just log in and watch. If you use Google One, YouTube Premium Lite is included with your subscription, giving you an ad free experience immediately. This is the absolute best way to block ads everywhere: https://www.youtube.com/premium

For those unwilling to pay, here are the free workarounds. These require setup and occasional maintenance. They also do not work on every device.

## Browsers

**uBlock Origin:** https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/
This is the only ad blocker you should use. Install it on Firefox or a compatible browser.

## Android

**Recommended (Sideload Method):**

**ReVanced:** https://revanced.app/
The successor to Vanced. You patch the YouTube APK yourself using the ReVanced Manager.

**Alternatives:**

**LibreTube:** https://libre-tube.github.io/
Routes requests through Piped proxies to bypass Google data collection.

**NewPipe:** https://newpipe.net/
A lightweight privacy focused client.

## iOS / iPadOS

Sideloading on iOS requires effort. You must refresh apps every 7 days unless you have a paid Apple developer account. 

**Guide to Sideloading:** https://ios.cfw.guide/sideloading-apps/

**Recommended App:**

**YTLitePlus:** https://github.com/Balackburn/YTLitePlus
A modified YouTube app with built in ad blocking and SponsorBlock. This replaces the discontinued uYouPlus project.

**Browser Alternatives:**

**Orion Browser:** https://browser.kagi.com/
Allows you to install desktop web extensions like uBlock Origin directly on your iOS device.

**AdGuard for Safari:** https://apps.apple.com/app/id1047223162
A reliable ad blocker for Safari if you prefer watching in the native browser.

## Android TVs and TV Boxes

Supported Devices: Android TV, Google TV, Nvidia Shield, Fire TV.

**SmartTube:** https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube
An open source client built specifically for TVs. It blocks ads and includes SponsorBlock.