I used to use NewPipe back in the days of yore. Then I got Youtube Premium since it bundled in Youtube Music as well which I used. But the former’s app on mobile is a shit show. Even after paying, you are asked to tip random creators, purchase merchandise[ which are shown as actual ads below videos] and join channels to access exclusive videos for more money. Basically pay money once, and then pay more money for more content.

Okay, one could argue atleast the above goes to a channel’s creators and helps them. How would one say then that the Youtube app still doesn’t have a systemwide option to choose video quality for all videos. New Pipe had that option long ago, but Youtube thinks it’s user base are immature who need to be coddled with only two options like “High” and “Data Saver”.

Despite having a Premium thing, I finally crossed over to a Newpipe fork Tubular [available on F Droid] today simply because the paying experience on Youtube Mobile is so bad. I can’t fathom how bad it would be for free customers using the official app.

  • @Moonrise2473@feddit.itEnglish
    55•1 year ago

    Also the problem of the algorithm that thinks it knows what you like to see instead of showing your subscriptions

    “Six months ago you did a single search of a walkthrough for a Mario 64 level, so here is a feed filled with only Mario 64 speedruns”

    I’m always wary of clicking a YouTube link scared it would poison the feed.

    Newpipe solved this

    • @misk@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      16•1 year ago

      Why not browse your subscriptions through subscriptions section? I understand that it’s annoying that you can’t make it default on startup in the app but it’s there.

      • @kakes@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        17•1 year ago

        I always hear about people saying “my subscriptions aren’t showing up” and I don’t get it. They’re right there, sorted in reverse chronological order. I’ve literally never experienced this problem.

        • Tlaloc_TemporalEnglish
          2•1 year ago

          There have been many an issue with YT changing notification settings, or even unsubscribing people. I don’t know if they still do that, but it used to happen to enough people at once that channels would mention checking your notification settings after seeing double digit percentage drops in base viewership.

    • @kirk781@discuss.tchncs.deOPEnglish
      2•1 year ago

      Yes, the feed can be janky for some though I liked the new video recommendations it sometimes gave. It reminded me of another gripe on their mobile app. When you go to the Subscriptions page, it shows polls, comments and videos all in a bunch instead of just the latter by default. This behaviour can be toggled off but seems to revert back every few days in my case.

      Either way, subscriptions page should be for videos only, not other forms of data.

  • @datavoid@lemmy.mlEnglish
    21•1 year ago

    I pay also, and use revanced. I watch YouTube more than any other service, and want to support some of the creators I like.

    I would feel a lot less self hatred for paying google if they released a YouTube ‘Lite’ app that dropped everything related to shorts. Paying users should be able to use the app however they want, without having extra features rammed down their throats.

      • @Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        6•1 year ago

        Because it’s the new trend to be like tiktok.
        I enjoy the ones I get recommended. Usually from channels I am already subscribed to anyway.
        Very rarely get a random one (I don’t (doom) scroll the feed) and YT seemded to get, that I am not someone to click on it.

  • @stardust@lemmy.caEnglish
    18•1 year ago

    YouTube is unwatchable for me without sponsorblock so I’ve liked the newpipe forks that include. And on desktop I love freetube because it goes further and lets me block channels.