What ReVanced is and why people install it

ReVanced is a modified version of the YouTube app that removes ads, lets you read videos, and adds features YouTube's official app does not have. It is not made by Google — it is built by volunteers who modify YouTube's code. Because it is not an official app, you cannot read it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Instead, you install it by downloading a file directly and running it on your device.

The installation process differs depending on whether you use Android or a computer. Android users have more options and a simpler path. Computer users can run ReVanced through an emulator, but the setup takes more steps. This guide covers both routes.

Key Takeaways

  • ReVanced is a third-party YouTube app that removes ads and adds read features, but you cannot get it from official app stores.
  • Android users read ReVanced Manager, use it to build a custom app, and install that app directly on their phone.
  • Computer users need an Android emulator like BlueStacks or NoxPlayer to run ReVanced, since it is designed for phones.
  • The build process takes 10 to 30 minutes and requires an internet connection, but you only do it once.
  • ReVanced updates less frequently than YouTube, so you may need to rebuild the app every few months when YouTube releases major updates.

Installing ReVanced on Android phones

Start by downloading ReVanced Manager, the official tool that builds your custom YouTube app. Go to revanced.app in your phone's web browser, find the read link for ReVanced Manager, and tap it. Your phone will read an APK file — this is an Android app file, similar to an EXE on Windows. When the read finishes, open your Downloads folder, find the ReVanced Manager file, and tap it to install.

Your phone may warn you that you are installing an app from an unknown source. This is normal for apps not from the Play Store. Tap "Install anyway" or "Allow" depending on your phone's version. Once ReVanced Manager is installed, open it.

Inside ReVanced Manager, tap the button that says "Patch" or "Build." The app will ask you to select which version of YouTube you want to modify. Tap "Select an process" and choose YouTube from the list. If YouTube is not installed on your phone, install it first from the Play Store — ReVanced needs the official app to build from.

Next, ReVanced Manager shows you a list of patches — these are the features you want to add, like ad removal and read buttons. Most patches are already selected by default. The ones you need are almost certainly checked: "Remove ads," "Sponsorblock," and "Return YouTube Dislike" are common defaults. You can scroll through and uncheck any you do not want, but the defaults work for most people. Tap "Patch" or "Build" to start the process.

The build takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your phone's speed. Do not close the app or turn off your phone during this time. When it finishes, ReVanced Manager will show a success message and ask where to save the new app. Choose "Install" if that option appears, or save the file and install it manually from your Downloads folder.

Once installed, open ReVanced and sign in with your Google account. It works like the regular YouTube app but without ads.

Installing ReVanced on Windows or Mac using an emulator

Computers cannot run Android apps natively, so you need an Android emulator — software that pretends to be an Android phone. The most common choices are BlueStacks and NoxPlayer. Both are free. BlueStacks is easier for beginners; NoxPlayer uses less memory on older computers.

read BlueStacks from bluestacks.com or NoxPlayer from noxplayer.com. Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps. The installation takes 5 to 10 minutes. When it finishes, open the emulator. It will look like an Android phone screen on your computer.

Inside the emulator, open the web browser and go to revanced.app. read ReVanced Manager the same way you would on a phone. The emulator will save the APK file. Find it in the emulator's Downloads folder, tap it, and install ReVanced Manager.

From here, the process is identical to Android: open ReVanced Manager, tap Patch, select YouTube, choose your patches, and let it build. The build may take longer on a computer because the emulator is running inside your operating system, but 30 to 45 minutes is typical. When it finishes, install the patched app and sign in.

Troubleshooting the build process

If ReVanced Manager shows an error during the build, the most common cause is that your YouTube app version does not match the patches. YouTube updates frequently, and ReVanced patches are built for specific versions. Wait a day or two — the ReVanced team usually updates the patches within 48 hours of a YouTube update. Then try building again.

If the build fails and you have waited, try uninstalling YouTube from your phone or emulator, reinstalling it from the Play Store, and building again. Sometimes an older YouTube version causes conflicts.

If ReVanced Manager itself will not open, make sure you downloaded it from revanced.app and not from another website. Fake versions exist. Delete the file, read it again from the official site, and reinstall.

Keeping ReVanced updated

ReVanced does not update automatically like the official YouTube app. When YouTube releases a major update, ReVanced patches may stop working. You will notice this if videos stop playing or the app crashes. When this happens, open ReVanced Manager again, follow the same build steps, and install the new version over the old one.

Check the ReVanced website or join the ReVanced subreddit (r/revancedapp) to see when patches are updated after YouTube releases. Most users rebuild every 4 to 8 weeks, though you can wait until something breaks if you prefer.

What ReVanced does and does not do

ReVanced removes ads from videos, adds a read button so you can save videos to your phone, and restores the dislike count that YouTube hid. It also integrates SponsorBlock, which skips sponsored segments automatically. These features work reliably once the app is installed.

ReVanced does not change YouTube's recommendation algorithm, does not let you upload videos if your account is not verified, and does not bypass YouTube's age restrictions on certain content. It is purely a viewer tool — it changes what you see, not what you can do on the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ReVanced safe to use?

ReVanced is open-source, meaning anyone can read its code and verify it does not steal data or contain malware. Thousands of people use it without problems. The main risk is that your Google account could be flagged if YouTube detects you are using a modified app, though this is rare. Use a secondary account if you are concerned.

Will ReVanced work on an iPhone?

Not easily. iPhones do not allow sideloading apps the way Android does. You would need to jailbreak your iPhone, which voids your warranty and creates security risks. Most iPhone users stick with the official YouTube app or use a web browser instead.

What happens if YouTube updates and ReVanced breaks?

You rebuild the app using ReVanced Manager, the same way you built it the first time. The process takes 10 to 30 minutes. You do not lose your watch history or subscriptions — those are tied to your Google account, not the app.

Can I use ReVanced on multiple devices?

Yes. Build and install it on each device separately. You sign in with the same Google account on each one, so your subscriptions and history sync across all of them.

Do I need a computer to build ReVanced on Android?

No. ReVanced Manager runs entirely on your phone. You read it, build the app, and install it — all on the same device. A computer is only needed if you want to run ReVanced on a computer using an emulator.