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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesYouTube Vanced was discontinued in March 2022. Its team initially said only that it was doing so “due to legal reasons”; contemporaneous reporting later said the developers confirmed receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Google. The letter itself is not included in the reporting cited here, so its precise legal basis—and any court ruling—should not be inferred.
Why did YouTube Vanced shut down?
Vanced’s March 13, 2022 announcement said the app had been discontinued and that its download links would be taken down in the coming days. The team thanked users but did not spell out the legal reason in that announcement.
In a March 15, 2022 report, Android Authority said Vanced developers confirmed to The Verge that they had received a cease-and-desist letter from Google. Android Authority also quoted an unnamed administrator of Vanced’s Discord channel as saying: “We were asked to remove all references to ‘YouTube,’ change the logo, and remove all links related to YouTube products.”
Those details are attributed to the reporting and the unnamed administrator, not to a publicly available copy of the letter. The available account does not establish the letter’s full legal theory, negotiation terms, or a court’s finding that Vanced was illegal. The team’s public explanation remained simply “due to legal reasons.”
#1 Best Overall
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
What was YouTube Vanced?
Vanced was an unofficial modified version of the YouTube Android app. Contemporary coverage described it as blocking ads and adding features such as background playback, picture-in-picture, an AMOLED black theme, swipe controls for brightness and volume, dislike-count restoration, and a YouTube Music version. Getting the full experience involved sideloading multiple APKs.
Its ad-free viewing made it an alternative to paying for YouTube Premium, but that does not mean every Vanced feature was a Premium feature. Vanced was not an official YouTube release.
Rank #2
- Ask to control your TV with your voice, and quickly cast your photos, videos, music and more from your phone, tablet, or PC to your TV with Chromecast built in
- Built-in Virtual Assistant – just press the mic button on the remote to get what you want
- Built-in content and entertainment including YouTube, Play Movies & TV, and more
- Support for thousands of Apps on the Play Store
- 2K resolution TV streaming
Is YouTube Vanced still working?
There is no reliable current compatibility guarantee for existing installations. In an April 2023 update, the Vanced project repository said the app had begun stopping for many users as Google deprecated older versions, and directed users to the official YouTube release. That is the project’s status statement from April 2023, not confirmation that an installation works—or fails—for every user in 2026.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you still download YouTube Vanced?
The team said in March 2022 that it would remove download links, and its repository later said those links had been removed. The team’s archived announcement thread also warned about fake APK mirrors and possible malware in unofficial mods. A file advertised elsewhere as Vanced should not be assumed to be authentic or safe; the available sources do not verify third-party copies.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 4K Ultra HD Resolution: Enjoy your TV in stunning resolution Ultra HD ers four times the resolution of Full HD for greater clarity and detail
- Android TV: With the Android TV operating system you will have access to the best content, download the infinity of applications available through the Google Play Store!
- Voice remote control: Just press the Google Assistant button and ask it to find, play and control content
- Chromecast Built-in: Easily cast movies, shows, and photos from your Android or iOS device to your Android TV
- Easy Setup: Access your Google account and configure the device, language and Wi-Fi network
Rank #4
- Enjoy nextlevel streaming at an affordable price with the onn Google TV 4K Pro Streaming Devicewith Gemini This powerhouse streaming device delivers uncompromising performance and stunning visualstransforming your TV into a premium entertainment hub
- Immerse yourself in vivid colorssharp contrastand cinematic quality with stunning 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Vision
- Experience theaterqualitymultidimensional sound with immersive Dolby Atmos Audio
- Powerful performance with 3GB of RAMis 50% more than the 4K Plus modelfor super smooth app performancefast navigationand seamless multitasking
- Enjoy incredibly smoothbufferfree streaming and gaming with blazingfast WiFi 6 Connectivity or use the optional Ethernet Port for the feastestreliable connectivity
Rank #3
- No More App-Switching. Forget learning to navigate a new screen with every app. TiVo Stream 4K enables one centralized place for searching, browsing, and creating watch lists across all your apps..DC Input Range 5V/1.0A. Power Consumption : Maximum 5 W
- Recommendations Across All of Your Apps: Get rid of the walls between what you watch. TiVo recommends your next favorite shows and movies based on what you love, not where they live.
- Say it and watch it. The power of voice control makes it easy to find shows. Integrated Google Assistant allows you to launch apps, dim the lights and more.
- One place for all your favorite streaming apps. TiVo Stream 4K includes Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock plus many more, so you can get to your shows fast.
- TiVo Stream 4K is one of Time Magazine’s “2020 Best Inventions, Special Mention” and PCMag hails it as “an excellent media streamer for TV lovers.” Operating Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C
What can you use instead?
- Official YouTube: The Vanced repository directed users to the official YouTube release. Feature availability depends on the official app and service terms.
- YouTube Premium: Contemporary coverage identified Premium as YouTube’s official paid option for ad-free playback and background play. This is not a claim that it reproduces Vanced’s entire feature set; check YouTube for current availability and terms.
- ReVanced: Reporting describes this as a separate unofficial project that applies patches to the user-installed official YouTube Android app. It is not established here as an official Vanced successor, and the sources do not show that it duplicates all Vanced features.
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