Repository
https://github.com/TeamNewPipe/NewPipe-legacy
Introduction
My phone doesn't accept anything that has to do with Google (including YouTube) and that's sad. Normally, I learn from watching videos on YouTube because I understand them more than written words. But it's unfortunate that I can't use YouTube unless I go through a browser (which I really hate doing). In this blog post, I'll be introducing the app that saved me the stress of opening my browser to watch YouTube videos. They call it NewPipe Legacy, I call it YouTube's Twin.
What is NewPipe Legacy?
NewPipe Legacy is an open-source streaming client which has been created with the aim of acquiring the original YouTube experience on the users smartphone and providing a privacy friendly access. As a matter of fact, the NewPipe Legacy app doesn't use any Google framework libraries or the YouTube API.
How then does it work?
It parses the YouTube website in order to gain the information it needs/requires. So, even when you don't use Google services like me, you can still use this app to enjoy the same experience on YouTube.
How I got to know of NewPipe Legacy
An amazing application like this would have been sent to me by someone, but that's not how it happened for this specific app. Still on my F-Droid application, I saw the NewPipe Legacy app. I normally checkout the repository before downloading any application, but I didn't do that with the NewPipe Legacy. I was so desperate to see what the app is like because of a sentence that read "A free lightweight YouTube front-end f...... ". After downloading and installing the app, I started exploring its features.
Features of NewPipe Legacy
- Lightweight: When I first saw the NewPipe Legacy on F-Droid, I thought it would be as heavy as the YouTube app since they were similar. It was confusing to see the app download in about 10 seconds with the weight of only 5.84MB. I thought that the app wasn't real because I couldn't imagine a 5.84MB application having similar features with YouTube. Now let me inform you that the NewPipe Legacy application actually has all its superb features in just 5.84MB. IT'S REAL!!
- No YouTube account required: Though NewPipe Legacy app is not the YouTube app and doesn't use the YouTube API, yet it provides me with all the YouTube videos (including my subscriptions) without asking me to sign in to my YouTube account.
- Float on screen: I haven't found any app like the NewPipe Legacy app which allows you to reduce the size of your video and float it on your screen even when you're using a different app. I was surprised to see a feature which made my videos float on my screen, I never saw it coming. Even when I open other categories of applications like my browsers, games and my camera, the floating video doesn't get interrupted. I'm still wondering how this is possible in a 5.84MB app, it amazes me.
- Import/export: NewPipe Legacy app also has this feature which makes me feel like I'm using the YouTube app. With this app, You can import your YouTube or SoundCloud subscriptions by downloading the export file in just seconds. Not just that, you can also export your subscription into your device. After I imported my YouTube subscriptions and refreshed the app, I saw all my subscriptions listed in the app. I could have thought that I was on YouTube but I knew it was all the handiwork of the app's developer.
- Downloads: This is another mind-blowing feature that sends shivers down my spine. Every video on the app can be downloaded into my phone's memory (though they are YouTube videos). It doesn't just download any Video quality; I can choose any of the different qualities that are listed for me.
I can also download only the audio of a video. Once I click on 'Audio', select the audio quality I want, and click on download, the app automatically extracts the audio from the video and adds it to my list of musics. Isn't it mind blowing how a video can be downloaded as an audio?
- Stream only the audio of a video: I was watching a video when I saw an option that said "Background". I clicked on it and observed that the audio was playing without the video (which was paused). Even when I left the app, it was still playing in the background as if it was my phone's music player. This is another great feature of the NewPipe Legacy app.
- Age restricted content: Considering the fact that users don't sign in to the app (users age is unknown), they are exposed to age restricted content (no matter who the user is). Due to this, there is an 'Age restricted content' option which can be either turned off or on by the user. I suggest that you turn it off if you are still a teenager like me.
How to get started with NewPipe Legacy
- Download and install the latest version (version 0.16.1) of the app
- Launch the app
- Grant app permission (if requested)
- Watch any video of your choice by clicking on the video.
What is the Privacy Policy?
The privacy policy of the NewPipe Legacy app can be found HERE
Website
Conclusion
There's no app I can presently compare with this app; it is one of a kind. Even with all these features and more, it doesn't weigh up to 7MB. Phew!, I finally get to save some space on my device.
My Github