Every few months, it happens. You open YouTube, and something is different. The buttons have moved, the thumbnails look sleeker (or stranger), and a feature you liked has vanished. The platform is in a constant state of flux, optimized for engagement, advertising, and mobile compatibility.
For many users, the "new" YouTube feels cluttered, slower, or simply unfamiliar. If you find yourself longing for the days of discrete dislike counts, a cleaner homepage, or just a layout that didn't take up half your screen with "Shorts," you aren't alone.
Here is your comprehensive guide to rolling back the clock and getting an older YouTube experience.
If you want the functionality of old YouTube without the interface, consider using a third-party proxy.
What is Invidious? An open-source alternative front-end to YouTube. It loads videos using the old API, meaning:
How to use it:
yewtu.be or inv.nadeko.net (popular Invidious instances).Downside: You cannot "like" videos or comment using your Google account (privacy is the point). It is read-only.
While technically not an "official" old version, the YouTube Vanced project (and its successor, ReVanced) is the primary way users access a classic experience on Android.
These are modified versions of the official YouTube app. They strip out ads, enable background play, and allow you to revert UI elements (like removing the Shorts shelf). Many users consider this superior to a true "old version" because it retains modern video codecs (high quality streaming) while removing the modern bloat.
Note: Installing ReVanced requires patching the official YouTube app using a manager tool, which is slightly more technical than a standard install.
| Device | Best Method | Difficulty | |--------|-------------|-------------| | Android | APKMirror + Uninstall updates | Easy | | PC Browser | YouTube Redux extension | Very easy | | iPhone | iMazing (if you have old IPA) | Hard | | Android TV | Sideload old APK via Downloader | Moderate | | Any device | Invidious / Rehike (web) | Easy | how to get old version of youtube
Note: YouTube’s interface and features change over time; older versions may no longer be supported, can lack security fixes, and might violate terms of service. Proceed carefully and at your own risk.
Most TV boxes don’t support easy downgrading, but you can:
⚠️ TV versions often break voice search and casting.
Yes—if you are on Android. Downgrading to YouTube version 12 or 13 (circa 2017) genuinely improves the user experience. You get chronological subscriptions, no Shorts, and functional dislike counts.
No—if you are on iOS or a modern Smart TV. The hassle of jailbreaking or dealing with broken proxy sites outweighs the nostalgia. The Quest for the Classic Interface: How to
The Final Workaround: If all else fails, change your mindset. Use RSS feeds to pull new videos from your subscriptions into a reader (like Feedly). That bypasses YouTube’s UI entirely, giving you the spirit of old YouTube without the actual app.
Ultimately, the quest for an old version of YouTube is a quest for control. Google wants you in the algorithm’s river; you want a peaceful library. By using APKs, extensions, or Invidious, you can still bend YouTube to your will—at least for a little while longer.
Have you successfully rolled back your YouTube app? Which "vintage" version do you miss the most?
To get an older version of YouTube, you can either downgrade the app on your Android device to its original factory version or manually install a specific version using an APK file. For desktop users, "getting an old version" usually refers to restoring an older layout using browser extensions.
Check out these video guides for visual steps on downgrading the app or restoring the classic desktop layout: How to Downgrade YouTube App - Get Earlier Version Games & Apps Tutorials Part 6: The Nuclear Option – Streaming Frontends
Important note: YouTube is an online service. You cannot truly "go back in time" to see videos as they appeared on a specific date (e.g., 2010 comments, old channel layouts). These methods change the interface, not the backend content.
