YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for watching videos online. However, the frequent ads can be annoying and interrupt your viewing experience. Whether you’re watching a tutorial, music video, or your favorite vlogger, those ads can break your focus. Fortunately, there are several ways to watch YouTube videos without ads. This guide will cover different methods to block ads and improve your YouTube experience.

1. Use YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is the official way to watch YouTube videos without ads. It’s a paid subscription service that offers several benefits:

• Ad-Free Videos: With YouTube Premium, you won’t see any ads on videos. This includes ads that appear before, during, or after the video.
• Background Play: You can play videos in the background while using other apps or when your screen is off.
• Offline Viewing: Download videos to watch later without an internet connection.
• YouTube Music Premium: Access ad-free music and offline listening through YouTube Music.

How to Subscribe to YouTube Premium:

1. Open the YouTube app or website.
2. Click on your profile picture at the top right.
3. Select “Get YouTube Premium.”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your subscription.

2. Use an Ad Blocker

Ad blockers are software or browser extensions that prevent ads from displaying on websites, including YouTube. They are an effective way to watch videos without interruptions.

Popular Ad Blockers:

• AdBlock: Available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. It blocks ads on YouTube and other websites.
• uBlock Origin: A lightweight, open-source ad blocker that works on most browsers.
• AdGuard: Offers browser extensions, desktop apps, and mobile apps for ad blocking.

How to Install an Ad Blocker:

1. Go to the extension store for your browser (e.g., Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons).
2. Search for an ad blocker like AdBlock or uBlock Origin.
3. Click “Add to Chrome” (or your browser) to install the extension.
4. Once installed, the ad blocker will automatically block ads on YouTube.

3. Use a YouTube Ad Blocker App on Mobile

While ad blockers work well on desktop browsers, blocking ads on mobile devices can be more challenging. However, there are apps designed to block ads specifically on YouTube.

Popular YouTube Ad Blocker Apps:

• AdGuard for Android: Blocks ads on YouTube and other apps. It works at the system level, so it doesn’t require root access.
• YouTube Vanced: A popular third-party app for Android that offers ad-free YouTube, background play, and other features. Note that it’s not an official app and requires manual installation.
• Brave Browser: A privacy-focused browser with a built-in ad blocker. You can use it to watch YouTube without ads.

How to Install YouTube Vanced:

1. Download the Vanced Manager app from the official website.
2. Install Vanced Manager on your Android device.
3. Use Vanced Manager to install YouTube Vanced and MicroG (required for sign-in).
4. Open YouTube Vanced and sign in with your Google account.

4. Use a Pi-hole

Pi-hole is a network-wide ad blocker that works by blocking ad-serving domains at the DNS level. This means that any device connected to your network will benefit from ad blocking, including YouTube ads.

Setting Up a Pi-hole:

1. Hardware: You’ll need a Raspberry Pi, a power supply, an SD card, and an Ethernet cable.
2. Install Pi-hole: Follow the installation guide on the Pi-hole website to set up the software on your Raspberry Pi.
3. Configure Your Network: Set your router to use the Pi-hole as the DNS server. This will block ads on all devices connected to your network.
4. Watch YouTube Without Ads: Once set up, Pi-hole will block ads on YouTube videos. Note that some ads might still slip through, as YouTube serves ads from the same domain as videos.

5. Use a YouTube Downloader

Another way to avoid ads is by downloading YouTube videos and watching them offline. This method skips ads since you’re not streaming the video directly from YouTube.

Popular YouTube Downloaders:

• 4K Video Downloader: A desktop app that allows you to download YouTube videos in various resolutions.
• Y2Mate: An online tool where you can paste the video URL and download it directly.
• TubeMate: An Android app that lets you download YouTube videos.

How to Download YouTube Videos:

1. Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to download.
2. Open your chosen YouTube downloader (e.g., 4K Video Downloader).
3. Paste the URL into the downloader.
4. Choose the desired video quality and format.
5. Download the video to your device and watch it without ads.

6. Skip Ads Manually

If you don’t want to install additional software or pay for a subscription, you can manually skip ads. YouTube allows you to skip most ads after a few seconds.

How to Skip Ads Manually:

1. When an ad starts, look for the “Skip Ad” button that usually appears after 5 seconds.
2. Click the button to skip the ad and continue watching your video.
3. For non-skippable ads, you’ll need to wait until the ad finishes.

7. Use YouTube Alternatives

There are alternative platforms that host YouTube videos without ads. These platforms might not have the same extensive content library, but they offer a similar viewing experience without interruptions.

Popular YouTube Alternatives:

• NewPipe: An open-source YouTube client for Android that offers ad-free viewing.
• Invidious: A front-end for YouTube that blocks ads and trackers. It can be accessed through a web browser.

How to Use NewPipe:

1. Download the NewPipe APK from the official website.
2. Install the app on your Android device.
3. Open NewPipe and search for your desired YouTube video.
4. Watch the video without ads.

Conclusion

Watching YouTube videos without ads is possible through several methods. You can subscribe to YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience, use ad blockers, or try alternative platforms and apps. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, so choose the one that best suits your needs.

If you prefer an official and hassle-free solution, YouTube Premium is the way to go. For those who want a free option, ad blockers and alternative apps like YouTube Vanced or NewPipe are effective choices. By using these methods, you can enjoy uninterrupted YouTube viewing, whether on your computer or mobile device.