If you've heard of YouTube Vanced, YouTube ReVanced or simply “Revanced” And if you're still not entirely sure what it is, how it works, or if it's reliable, don't worry, you're in the right place. Since Google shut down Vanced, countless alternatives, strange clones, and new projects have emerged, leaving many people with more questions than answers.
In the following lines you will find a A comprehensive and up-to-date guide to YouTube ReVanced and the legacy of VancedWhat exactly was Vanced, what is ReVanced now, how the patching system works, what it allows you to do (ad blocking, background playback, MicroG, downloads with NewPipe, Spotify patches, etc.), what the malware risks are, and why Google hasn't shut down the project yet. All explained in Castilian Spanish and in a natural tone, without any hype.
What was YouTube Vanced and why did it disappear?
Before understanding ReVanced, it's helpful to remember what it offered YouTube Vanced as an alternative to YouTube PremiumVanced was for years a modified version of the official YouTube app with features that many people considered essential.
Among Vanced's most appreciated features were Ad blocking, SponsorBlock integration, background playback, picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, and AMOLED theme to save battery on OLED screens. It also allowed users to force older resolutions or quality settings, change the interface, and bypass many of the limitations of the official app.
The problem came when Google put legal pressure on Vanced's teamThe app directly distributed a modified APK of YouTube (Google's proprietary code) with all these features integrated. According to leaks, they were threatened with a lawsuit for violating the terms of service and for trademark infringement, which led to the project's closure.
Some mirrors still allow Download older versions of YouTube VancedAnd technically the application continues to function on many devices. However, Vanced is no longer being updated.It has no official support and its future is very uncertain, because any major change in YouTube's services could break it beyond repair.
What is YouTube ReVanced and how is it different from Vanced?
After Vanced's fall, he appeared on the scene ReVanced, a new project with no official connection to the previous team.Although it is often called "Vanced's replacement", it is not simply an official continuation, but a separate initiative that takes the idea and leads it down a safer path.
ReVanced presents itself as a Open-source “modular patcher” for Android applicationsInstead of offering you a pre-modified YouTube APK, it provides a collection of patches and tools so you can create your own modified app from the original application.
This means that YouTube ReVanced is not a one-off app that you download on its own.but the result of Apply ReVanced patches to the original YouTube APK (or other compatible apps). The project was born with the goal of recreating Vanced's key functions and, from there, adding new improvements suggested by the community.
The big difference with Vanced is that ReVanced does not distribute proprietary files or full APKsIt only offers open-source patches and the tools to apply them. It's up to you, on your device, to combine the legitimate YouTube APK with those patches to create the modified version. That's how it works. reduces legal problems and makes it difficult for Google to "scrap" the project in the same way it did with Vanced.
ReVanced project philosophy and device support
The team makes it clear that ReVanced is a community-based, open-source project.with public repositories on GitHub. Any developer can review the code, propose improvements, open issues, or submit pull requests with new ideas or fixes.
One of the initial objectives was to match all the main features that Vanced offered on YouTubeAd blocking, background playback, interface modes, visual changes, etc. The intention is to continue expanding the possibilities with new features and patches for both YouTube and other popular apps.
ReVanced is designed to work both in rooted devices as well as non-rooted mobile phonesOn non-rooted phones, the patched app is installed with a package name different from the original applicationThis allows you to have both the official YouTube and YouTube ReVanced at the same time. On rooted devices, however, it's possible to install the patched version "on top" of the original for better system integration.
Another advantage over Vanced is that the patcher It allows you to work on different versions of the application.not just on one or two specific ones. That gives you room to use newer versions or, if you prefer, older versions. However, some patches are designed to certain versions in particularAnd when YouTube changes a lot internally, those patches can fail and require an update.
Key features of YouTube ReVanced and other apps
What makes ReVanced so appealing is the number of improvements it adds over the official appto the point that for many it is a direct alternative to YouTube Premium.
Among the most notable features for YouTube are total ad blocking in videos and on the interfaceboth before and during playback. It also offers background playback with the screen off, ideal for using YouTube as if it were a music or podcast service.
Another highly valued feature is support for Picture-in-Picture (floating window)This allows you to continue watching the video while opening other apps. This is similar to what YouTube Premium offers, but here it's integrated through ReVanced patches.
The project also allows recover features that Google has removed or hiddenThis includes features like a visible "Dislike" button, as well as modifying certain interface elements to personalize the experience. A typical example is the patch that changes the app's header, replacing the title "YouTube" with "ReVanced" to easily distinguish the original app from the patched version.
Another important point is that ReVanced does not integrate its own internal download systembut it does facilitate a Very convenient integration with external apps like NewPipe, so you can download videos or just audio with a couple of taps from the YouTube ReVanced player.
ReVanced isn't limited to YouTube: it also offers patches for YouTube Music, Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and other applications. Furthermore, patches have recently appeared for Spotify which allow access to some of the Premium features, something that many users have welcomed with open arms after the problems with solutions like xManager.
Official website, open source, and development status
To avoid confusion (and scares), it is essential to be clear about what it is the official website of the ReVanced projectThe legitimate domain is:
https://revanced.app/
From there you can access basic project information, the official documentation, the GitHub repository, and other resources managed by the ReVanced team themselves. Any other page with similar names that is not linked from there, from their GitHub, or from their official Reddit is suspicious and should be avoided.
The project is located in active and continuous developmentThere is no "final version" or fixed dates for any particular feature, and the team avoids giving ETAs (estimated release dates) because the codebase changes frequently. To keep up with technical developments, they maintain a Discord progress channel and another that publishes in real time the changes that come from GitHub.
If you're a developer, you can collaborate by reviewing code, reporting bugs, or proposing new patch ideasIf you're a more basic user, you'll usually rely on the community guides, explanatory threads, and tutorial videos that are generated by other users, in addition to the official documentation.
Security, malware, and real risks of using ReVanced
One of the most frequently asked questions when someone discovers ReVanced is something like: "This sounds too good to be true, what's the catch? Is it really safe?"The doubt is logical, because many people still pay for YouTube Premium, and yet here it seems you get everything for free.
The key point is that ReVanced is open source and its development is publicly available on GitHub.You're not installing an opaque binary without knowing what's inside, but tools whose code can be audited by third partiesThat doesn't mean it's infallible, but it does significantly reduce the risk of downloading APKs modified by unknown sources.
The real danger comes when You don't use official sources and you download pre-patched APKs from random websitesIn that case, you really depend on the "goodwill" of someone who could very well have injected malware, spyware, miners, aggressive advertising, or anything else. That's why the project itself insists that the correct way to do it is patch the original app yourself using reliable sources.
If you stick to the official ReVanced website, their repositories on GitHub, their Reddit, and their DiscordIf you use clean APKs from reputable sources (like Google Play, APKMirror, or community-recommended methods), the chances of getting malware on your phone are greatly reduced. Even so, as with any unofficial software that modifies commercial apps, there's always a certain degree of risk involved.
Why doesn't Google shut down these platforms?
As for why Google hasn't taken down ReVanced like it did Vanced, the legal difference is quite clear: ReVanced does not distribute APKs of YouTube or other proprietary applicationsThey only distribute patches and tools, and it's up to you to apply those patches to a legitimate copy of YouTube.
That puts ReVanced in a kind of legal gray areaIt's not so simple to send a letter and force them to remove a specific app from download, because what they're sharing isn't the YouTube binary itself, but their own code that modifies what you already have installed. This complexity probably explains why the project is still active today.
Main tools: ReVanced Manager and ReVanced CLI
To use ReVanced patches, the project offers two main tools: ReVanced Manager and ReVanced CLIBoth essentially do the same thing (apply patches to an APK), but they are geared towards different user profiles.
ReVanced Manager is an application for Android with graphical interfaceDesigned for most users. From here you can select which app you want to patch (YouTube, YouTube Music, Spotifyetc.), automatically download the necessary patches and generate the modified app, all from your own mobile device.
ReAdvanced CLI, on the other hand, is a command-line tool that runs on Java and you can use it on PCs (Windows, Linux, macOS) or in other environments. It's geared more towards developers or advanced users who want to automate the process, integrate ReVanced into scripts, or have finer control over how patches are applied.
In everyday life, the vast majority of users who want YouTube ReAdvanced on Android without the hassle They use ReVanced Manager because it is more visual and guides the process step by step.
Installing ReAdvanced Manager on Android
The starting point for using ReVanced is Install ReAdvanced Manager on your deviceThis app will be responsible for downloading patches, locating the original APKs, and generating the modified versions.
The recommended way to get ReVanced Manager is to go to their official repository on GitHub, within the “Releases” sectionThere you will find the latest stable version released by the developers:
https://github.com/ReVanced/revanced-manager/releases
Download the APK file to your mobile device and Install it like any other external appAndroid will typically ask you to enable installation from unknown sources for your browser or file manager. This is a standard procedure when installing apps from outside the Google Play Store.
ReAdvanced Manager Basic Configuration
When you open ReVanced Manager for the first time, the app will ask you for several permits required to operate, primarily access to storage to handle APK files and permissions to download the components it needs during patching.
From the menu of “Settings” within Manager You can adjust some interesting details. For example, you can select the interface language or activate the “Allow changing patch selection” option, which authorizes you to customize which patches you want to apply in each app instead of just using the default settings.
Once these options are adjusted, the next step is to go to the section of “Patchman”, which is where you actually choose which application you want to modify (YouTube or others) and with what combination of patches.
How to patch YouTube with ReVanced Manager on Android?
The most common case is wanting Patch YouTube to get YouTube ReAdvancedThe general flow is simple and, with minor variations, is repeated for other apps.
Within the patcher section, click on “Select an app” and look for YouTube in the list of installed applications.Its package name on Android is “com.google.android.youtube”, which is useful to avoid confusion if you have several variants.
When you select YouTube, a message like this usually appears. “Suggested: vXX.XX.XX”This refers to the version recommended by the developers for applying patches with the greatest possible compatibility. If you tap this suggestion, your browser will open and take you to an APK repository (such as APKMirror) where you can download the specific version indicated.
In repositories like APKMirror, you should check Two important details: that the version matches the one suggested by Manager and that the APK architecture is correctToday, most devices use arm64-v8a architecture, but it's a good idea to confirm this to avoid errors during installation.
Once you've downloaded the YouTube APK to your device, return to ReVanced Manager and select the option to "Storage" to locate the file you just downloaded. When you select it, you will see the section of “Selected patches”where you can choose to use the "Default" profile or go into customizing which patches you want one by one.
Default configuration
For most users, Start with the default settings It's the best idea because it's already designed to be stable and cover the most requested functions. If you want to fine-tune things later, you can always repeat the process and modify the patch selection.
Among the most frequent customizations is the patch that Change the app header to display “ReVanced” instead of "YouTube", which is very useful for distinguishing them when you have both installed.
When you are satisfied with the patch configuration, click on "Patch it up" and wait patiently for the process to finish.The time it takes will depend on your phone's processing power and the number of patches applied. Once finished, ReVanced Manager will offer you the option to install the newly generated app, which will be your ready-to-use YouTube ReVanced.
MicroG: Sign in with your Google account
On non-rooted devices, the patched app cannot Use Google Play services in the same way as the official YouTube.To sign in with your Google account, sync subscriptions, lists, history, and recommendations, you need an extra component called MicroG GmsCore.
MicroG is a Free and lightweight implementation of the Google Play librariesIn practice, it acts as a substitute so that the patched app can communicate with your Google account without relying on the official YouTube app or Google's proprietary services in the same way.
Normally, the first time you open YouTube ReVanced, the app itself It will ask you to open a page in your browser to download the recommended version of MicroG. from its official repository on GitHub. This variant of MicroG is specifically adapted for the needs of ReVanced.
In MicroG download links you will usually see several versions or variants, including a "default" one and another designed for more problematic devices (like some Huawei models without Google services). Choose the one that best suits your needs, install it like any APK, and you're done—no complicated setup required on most phones.
Once you've installed MicroG, reopen YouTube ReVanced and you should be able to sign in with your Google accountso that your entire YouTube experience (subscriptions, recommendations, playlists, etc.) remains the same as in the official app.
Additional settings and common problems with MicroG
Not all Android phones behave the same: some manufacturers apply very aggressive battery saving policies and closing of background appsThis can cause MicroG and YouTube ReVanced to malfunction if the system "kills" them at the slightest provocation.
It's quite common that, when opening the app for the first time, ReVanced may ask you to disable certain battery optimizations or specific system settings. to ensure everything works correctly. In many cases, the app itself offers a step-by-step explanation tailored to specific brands (Xiaomi, Samsung, etc.).
In more unusual environments, such as Android emulators on PCs or some mobile phones with unusual configurations, some further fine-tuning within the app may be necessary. “microG settings”A much-discussed trick is to go into the Google Account section and disable the “Authenticate with device registration” option when authentication causes problems. These are isolated cases, but it's good to know that this option exists.
If you encounter strange errors, the recommended course of action is Consult reliable project sources (GitHub, Reddit, Discord) or ask in communities where other users with your same device model have already found the solution and can guide you.
Download videos from YouTube ReVanced using NewPipe
Many people wonder if YouTube ReAdvanced allows you to download videos directlyThe reality is that, by design, the app doesn't include its own internal downloader, but it does offer a very convenient way to integrate third-party applications specializing in downloads.
One of the most recommended projects for this is NewPipe, a standalone client that allows you to watch and download videos from YouTube and other platforms.You can use it as a complete alternative to YouTube, but the most convenient way is to link it to ReVanced to get the best of both worlds.
The simplest workflow for integrating NewPipe with YouTube ReVanced involves Download NewPipe from its official GitHub (Releases section)Install it and then activate the external download button in the ReVanced settings. From there, when playing a video you'll see a download icon that, when tapped, will open a NewPipe menu where you can choose whether to download the video or just the audio, the quality, and the destination folder.
Android may ask you grant storage permissions to NewPipe to save the files. From there, you can check the download progress through the app's notifications, and the videos will be available in the folder you specified.
Spotify and other services with ReVanced patches
Not all the interest in ReVanced revolves around YouTube. More and more users are asking about... Patches for Spotify and other streaming appsespecially since some traditional methods began to fail.
The ReVanced team has been releasing specific patches for Spotify These features allow users to access some of the Premium experience (with certain limitations depending on the version). This has given hope to many users who were looking to regain advanced features without relying on highly unstable applications.
However, it has been seen that Using Spotify APKs downloaded from generic repositories like APKPure can cause errors when applying ReVanced patches. To avoid this, the community has promoted a "cleaner" method which consists of Extract the APK directly from the Google Play installation. using a tool called AntiSplit M.
The general process is to download Spotify from Google Play, install AntiSplit M from its GitHubUse AntiSplit M to generate a unified Spotify APK from the installed app and save that file with a name that typically includes the package name, version, and the suffix "_antisplit". Then you can Uninstall the Play Store version and patch the APK generated with ReVanced Manager just like with YouTube.
This approach has the advantage that You always work with a clean APK, extracted from an original installationreducing the likelihood of incompatibilities and unpleasant surprises when patching.
Final recommendations and responsible use of ReVanced
This entire ecosystem of ReVanced, MicroG, NewPipe, and patches for multiple apps It allows you to take what YouTube and other Android services officially offer much further. However, it also requires being aware of some details: it's not a Google product, it's not distributed through the Play Store, and its maintenance depends on a community of volunteer developers and users.
Anyone who approaches YouTube ReVanced with the idea of Install, use, and forget about it forever. You should know that this is a living project: patches are updated, some versions stop working, and you may occasionally need to repeat the process with a new APK or readjust MicroG. If you take the time to understand the basics and rely on official sources and trusted communities, the experience is usually very satisfying.
Understanding what Vanced was, how ReVanced works now, why it's important to patch applications yourself from secure sources, and what role tools like ReVanced Manager, MicroG, NewPipe, or AntiSplit M play is key to enjoying YouTube Vanced/ReVanced with maximum security and without falling for malware-laden clones. Share this article so others can learn about these tools and their functions.
