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Comment by contravariant | Hacker News Reader

Out of interest what is the added value of using the Youtube app over visiting youtube on a webbrowser?

The YouTube mobile website is intentionally crippled. For example, the video refuses to play in a video popout, even though the same browser feature works for me on other mobile websites and on desktop YouTube. Personally I just avoid browsing it on mobile as a result, but I could see someone being convinced to install the app.

On iOS, installing vinegar sorts this. You get video pop outs and no ads to boot. It’s much better that the app and seems to give longer battery life (hardware acceleration?)

Downloading videos for offline watching. For example during flights without a wifi.

why not use youtube-dl?

If you did that, you wouldn't get the ads that the official app shows.

It breaks integration with the YouTube app, and it's a bit of a maintenance keeping up with the latest version, whether to use youtube-dl or yt-dlp or another fork, etc.

Why use Netflix or Disney+ when you can go to The Pirate Bay?

A way better experience. YouTube web is slow and clunky.

I paid $1.99 for Vinegar and on my iPad (and Mac) I get ad blocking, videos playing in the background, etc. It can be a little clunky because autoplay of the next video doesn't seem to work and there are times I'd like to use a music playlist. It's probably my fault but a quick glance at settings didn't resolve it.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vinegar-tube-cleaner/id1591303...

I use the web one exclusively. Other than the video pop out feature missing and once in a while scrolling bugs on shorts, it actually works perfectly fine.

I refuse to use the YouTube app because they disabled playing in the background or with the screen locked . They Want your eyeballs on the screen for the ads. It so blatant.

If I get sent to the web version I open in app immediately since its such a better experience for me.

They allow background play and screen-off play. You just need to subscribe to Premium.

On iOS the YouTube website only supports video resolutions up to 720p.

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