Are you not a fan of ads in your YouTube videos? On desktop, there are ad-blockers that are readily available, but on mobile, it’s not quite as easy as downloading a browser extension. Thankfully on Android, there is an app called YouTube Vanced that pretty much blocks ads and even in-video integrated sponsor messages.
Unfortunately, it looks like the app will cease to be available for download. In an announcement by the YouTube Vanced team, they have revealed that the app will be discontinued and that the download links from their website will also be taken down. While the exact reasons behind this decision were not revealed, posts made on Reddit and the Vanced Telegram channel suggests that it was done for legal reasons.
Vanced has been discontinued. In the coming days, the download links on the website will be taken down. We know this is not something you wanted to hear but it’s something we need to do. Thank you all for supporting us over the years.
— Vanced Official (@YTVanced) March 13, 2022
In a way it’s not surprising especially given how long the app has been around. Considering the fact that the app is actually a modified version of the official YouTube app, we imagine that YouTube probably wasn’t too happy by this, especially since it gave users access to certain YouTube Premium-only features like background play, picture-in-picture mode, and so on.
That being said, there is some “good” news. According to replies to the original tweet, the app will continue to work, so for those who already have it installed, you’re good. However, the developers do note that there is a chance that it could stop working one day due to the fact that eventually it will become outdated, so that’s something to keep in mind.
