Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
YouTube is a continuously evolving beast. Between the infinite UI experiments, the rise of Shorts, and the ever-growing advert invasion, it’s tougher than ever to benefit from the platform like we used to within the good outdated days. However though I ultimately caved and bought YouTube Premium — as a result of when you’ll be able to’t defeat the system, typically, you’ve bought to affix the system — all hope just isn’t misplaced. There are nonetheless loads of methods wherein I can take again management of my YouTube expertise, and you may too. From browser tweaks, extensions, settings modifications, and filters that may deliver again a cleaner, calmer, and extra customizable expertise, listed below are six YouTube hacks it’s good to strive right this moment:
Hack #1: Kill the Shorts
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
In the event you’re bored with YouTube’s not-so-subtle push to get you hooked on Shorts, you’re not alone. Whereas bite-sized, snackable content material is nice while you’re making an attempt to keep away from a YouTube deep dive, Shorts are overwhelmingly taking up the platform. Open the YouTube homepage, and also you’ll discover simply three correct video ideas (certainly one of which is inevitably an advert), adopted by an aggressive wall of Shorts. No thanks!
In the event you’re on Google Chrome, seize the Remove YouTube Shorts extension. It’s plug-and-play and easy, and it wipes Shorts not simply out of your homepage but additionally from search outcomes. The truth is, it totally removes the Shorts class from YouTube’s left panel. You possibly can even apply it to the Kiwi Browser for cellular, if that’s your factor.
The parents who make this extension even have an Android app referred to as Block Scroll, which removes Shorts out of your YouTube app on Android. However truthful warning: the app asks for extra permissions than I’m personally snug handing over, so use it with warning if it’s a must to.
In the event you’re a Firefox consumer, try the superb Control Panel for YouTube. It not solely offers with Shorts but additionally tackles YouTube’s different UI sins, which brings me to my subsequent level.
Hack #2: Management the variety of movies you see per row
For causes identified solely to YouTube, the homepage now reveals simply three movies per row on any display dimension. On a 13-inch laptop computer, that’s mildly annoying. On a 27-inch monitor? It’s downright ridiculous. The excellent news is which you could additionally change this.
In the event you’re utilizing Firefox or Courageous (browsers that also assist uBlock Origin with manifest v2), open the uBlock Origin settings and paste this line into the “My filters” part:
www.youtube.com##ytd-rich-item-renderer:fashion(–ytd-rich-grid-items-per-row: 5)
Observe that this hack received’t work on uBlock Origin in Google Chrome as a result of it not helps including customized filters. That mentioned, on different browsers, the trick works like magic, and you may change the quantity in that mod above from 5 to anything you need, relying on the variety of rows you need to see on YouTube.
In the event you don’t need to mess with uBlock filters to do that, you too can use the YouTube Row Fixer extension in Chrome or the aforementioned Management Panel for YouTube extension on Firefox to repair your video per row downside. A few of these extensions additionally offer you extra controls like hiding sponsored and stay movies, customizing thumbnail sizes, and skipping adverts robotically, so remember to try these extra options as nicely.
Hack #3: Get the outdated YouTube look again
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
In the event you’re bored with YouTube’s cluttered look and infinite Shorts, you too can try the YouTube Redux extension to take issues again to how they was. The Chrome extension brings again the traditional, retro YouTube structure you recognize and love, full with the old-school video participant dimension, easier homepage grid, and not one of the additional fluff. Other than the acquainted interface, you’ll even be saved from autoplaying channel trailers and distracting sidebars. So in the event you’ve been lacking the way in which YouTube used to really feel, Redux will allow you to reclaim that have in just some clicks. One of the best half in the event you can customise it additional to fit your fashion.
Hack #4: Disable picture-in-picture
Exiting the YouTube app means you’ll simply get a floating participant that stubbornly follows you round your telephone like a clingy ex. That’s YouTube’s picture-in-picture mode at work, and whereas it’s admittedly helpful, it may be annoying in the event you simply need the video to cease while you go away the app.
Fortunately, disabling YouTube’s picture-in-picture function doesn’t require assist from any third-party instruments. To disable it, simply
- Faucet your profile avatar within the YouTube app
- Go to Settings > Playback
- Toggle off picture-in-picture
You probably have a tool that natively helps system-wide automated PiP, like iPhones, you’ll should disable that setting, too, to do away with YouTube’s picture-in-picture mode.
Hack #5: Take away podcasts, music, mixes, and extra from the YouTube UI
I stumbled upon a number of helpful uBlock Origin filters on Reddit, which I used to maximise my YouTube UI. These filters must be utilized with the identical technique I described in hack #2. They’ll provide help to take away the whole lot from podcast playlists to music playlists, mixes, livestreams, and extra.
- Removes podcast playlists from house:
youtube.com##ytd-rich-item-renderer #view-more.ytd-rich-grid-media.style-scope:has-text(/^View full podcast/):upward(ytd-rich-item-renderer)
youtube.com##ytd-rich-item-renderer #view-more.ytd-rich-grid-media.style-scope:has-text(/^View full playlist/):upward(ytd-rich-item-renderer)
youtube.com##ytd-rich-item-renderer:has([href$=”start_radio=1″])
www.youtube.com##:is(ytd-rich-item-renderer,ytd-grid-video-renderer,ytd-compact-video-renderer):has(.badge-style-type-live-now-alternate)
You possibly can customise your YouTube UI by choosing any (or all) of those filters and pasting them into uBlock Origin or selecting extra from this very useful filter list {that a} Redditor has shared.
Hack #6: Take a break
Falling down the YouTube rabbit gap is inevitable typically. I’m certain there are days you’ve discovered your self streaming for hours. However YouTube provides you a simple approach out of this dangerous behavior. To manage your binge-watching urges on the YouTube cellular app, you’ll be able to set Take a Break reminders that seem at chosen time intervals and pause the video, reminding you ways lengthy you’ve been watching. To set Take a Break reminders:
- Faucet your profile image
- Faucet Settings
- Faucet Basic
- Subsequent to Remind me to take a break, faucet the change to show reminders on
- Set your Reminder frequency and faucet OK.
You too can set a bedtime reminder by going to Profile image > Settings > Basic > Remind me when it’s bedtime and deciding on a begin and finish time.
We hope you discovered these YouTube hacks useful. You probably have any suggestions or methods of your individual, drop them within the feedback and share the knowledge with us and fellow readers.
