Even though Vanced itself shut down, its idea didn’t just disappear. ReVanced came forward and brought those same features back, only better. It now lets users customize YouTube in ways that weren’t possible before, making it feel like your own personal version.
It’s not something from the Play Store, and it doesn’t come pre-installed. But if you're comfortable installing APKs and following a few steps, you can make it part of your daily routine without any trouble.
This guide will walk through everything from what Vanced originally offered to how you can use ReVanced to get that full experience back.
What is YouTube Vanced
YouTube Vanced started as a modded version of the regular YouTube app. It gave users full control over playback, themes, and video ads, and it didn’t cost anything. Unlike the Premium version of YouTube, which locks features behind a paywall, Vanced made them free for everyone.
It had a similar look and feel to the official app, so switching over was easy. People mostly used it for ad-blocking and background playback, but it had plenty of other features too, like override resolution limits and sponsor skipping.
After the project was discontinued, users looked for alternatives—and that’s when ReVanced took its place.
Vanced with ReVanced patches
ReVanced is the unofficial follow-up to YouTube Vanced. Instead of giving you one pre-made app, it gives you a patching system. That means you take the original YouTube APK, add the patches you want, and install the final version yourself.
This lets users skip features they don’t care about or add extra ones. You can stay up to date with the latest versions of YouTube while keeping full control over the features that matter to you most.
It might take a bit more setup, but the payoff is a YouTube app that works exactly how you want it to.
No ads
The most noticeable difference is that all ads are gone. No video ads before or during the content, no pop-ups, no banners.
That’s the reason a lot of people started using Vanced to begin with. It saves time and makes watching videos smoother, especially when you’re used to being interrupted by mid-roll ads or random product placements.
Background video
ReVanced supports full background playback, so your video or audio keeps playing even after switching apps or turning off the screen.
It works for all types of videos and not just music. This means you can keep a podcast running or listen to a long interview while using your phone for something else.
AMOLED dark theme
Dark mode wasn’t always available in the official YouTube app, but Vanced included it early on. And ReVanced keeps that option going, with an AMOLED black theme that looks great and saves battery.
There are also other theme options depending on how you want the app to match your phone. Not everyone cares about themes, but it makes a difference if you use YouTube a lot.
Skip sponsors
The SponsorBlock patch helps automatically skip over sponsored parts in videos. These are the sections where creators promote a product or service.
With this patch on, you don’t have to manually fast forward. It uses data from other users to know exactly where the sponsor starts and ends, and skips it for you.
Swipe controls
Another helpful feature is being able to control brightness and volume by swiping up and down on the screen. It feels more natural than using the side buttons.
If you're watching something late at night, it makes it easier to adjust without closing the video or tapping around too much.
Default video settings
By default, YouTube sometimes changes the video resolution depending on your internet speed. But with ReVanced, you can set a preferred quality.
You can make every video play at 1080p or stop YouTube from switching to low quality when the signal drops. It gives you a more consistent experience.
How to Download and Install YouTube Vanced
Setting up ReVanced may feel different than downloading a normal app, but it isn’t hard if you follow the steps right. Everything you need is available at youtubevanced.org.
Here’s how to do it:
Download the latest ReVanced Manager APK
Install the MicroG app to enable Google account login
Launch ReVanced Manager and open the Patcher section
Select the YouTube app and its version from the list
Choose the features you want to apply
Start patching and wait for the APK to build
Install the patched version manually
Sign in using MicroG if needed
You should remove or disable the official YouTube app before starting the install to avoid any errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still sign into my YouTube account?
Yes, you can, but you will need to have MicroG installed first. MicroG acts as a replacement for the Google services that normal apps depend on. Without it, login and syncing won’t work, but the app will still run.
Q: Is this safe to use on my main device?
As long as you are getting it from a trusted site and not making changes to your system files, it's generally safe. Many users have been using ReVanced for a long time without issues. But like with any modded app, be careful with updates and sources.
Q: Do I need to root my phone?
No, root access is not required for ReVanced. You can use it on any regular Android phone. It just needs permission to install apps from outside the Play Store.
Q: Will this app update itself?
No, it doesn’t have auto-updates like Play Store apps. When there’s a new version of YouTube, you will need to patch it again manually using the manager. It’s not too hard once you do it once or twice.
Q: Is there a version for iOS?
No, there is no version for iPhone or iPad. Vanced and ReVanced are made for Android only. Apple’s system doesn’t allow this kind of patching or third-party installs in the same way.
Conclusion
ReVanced helps bring back what made YouTube Vanced special. It gives you control, removes what you don’t want, and adds back the features that matter most.
It may take a little more effort to install, but once you have it set up, it works smoothly and feels just like the regular app only better. If you miss the Vanced days or just want more from YouTube without paying for Premium, ReVanced is worth a try.
