YouTube → FreeTube / NewPipe / Invidious

Same YouTube content, no tracking, no ads. FreeTube for desktop, NewPipe for Android, Invidious in any browser. The content library is irreplaceable — these tools change how you access it.

About 20 minutes Weekend project
1

Choose your tool

2 minutes

FreeTube: desktop app for Windows, Mac, Linux. Best for regular YouTube watching at your computer — local subscriptions, no account needed. NewPipe: Android app. Background play, video downloads, pop-up player. Not on Google Play — download from newpipe.net. Invidious: web frontend, works in any browser. No installation needed. Pick the one that matches your main device.

What you should see

You have chosen which tool to set up first. You can use multiple tools on different devices.

2

Install and open

5 minutes

FreeTube: download from freetubeapp.io, install, and open. NewPipe: go to newpipe.net on your Android phone, download the APK, enable "Install from unknown sources" when prompted, and install. Invidious: go to docs.invidious.io/instances and pick an instance with good uptime (green status). Bookmark it. No installation needed.

What you should see

The app or website opens with a search bar. Search for any video — it plays without ads.

3

Import your YouTube subscriptions

10 minutes

On a computer, go to takeout.google.com. Click Deselect all, then check only YouTube and YouTube Music. Create the export and download the file. In FreeTube: Settings → Data Settings → Import Subscriptions → select the file. In NewPipe: transfer the file to your phone, then Settings → Content → Import/Export → Import. In Invidious: Preferences → Data → Import subscriptions. Your channels appear without needing a YouTube account.

What you should see

Your subscribed channels appear in the app. New videos from those channels show in your feed.

4

Configure privacy settings

3 minutes

In FreeTube: Settings → Privacy → enable "Proxy Videos Through Invidious" for maximum privacy. Set your preferred video quality (720p saves bandwidth). Enable SponsorBlock to auto-skip sponsored segments. In NewPipe: Settings → set default resolution and enable background playback. In Invidious: Preferences → set quality and enable "Always proxy" videos.

What you should see

Videos play at your preferred quality. Sponsored segments are skipped automatically. No ads appear.

Troubleshooting

Videos will not load or buffer endlessly
YouTube occasionally blocks third-party access. In FreeTube, switch between Local API and Invidious API in settings. In Invidious, try a different instance. These tools sometimes need updating when YouTube changes its systems.
NewPipe is not on the Google Play Store
This is intentional — Google would not allow it. Download from newpipe.net directly or from F-Droid (an alternative app store for open-source apps). Enable "Install from unknown sources" in Android settings for the installation.
Subscription import did not work
Make sure you exported from Google Takeout in the correct format. FreeTube accepts JSON and OPML files. Try exporting subscriptions directly from youtube.com/subscription_manager as an OPML file instead.
No iPhone option for NewPipe
NewPipe is Android-only. On iPhone, use Invidious through Safari — bookmark an instance and add it to your home screen. Or use FreeTube on your computer and Invidious on your phone.

What to do next