Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
YouTube is a continually evolving beast. Between the infinite UI experiments, the rise of Shorts, and the ever-growing advert invasion, it’s more durable than ever to benefit from the platform like we used to within the good previous days. However despite the fact that I ultimately caved and obtained YouTube Premium — as a result of when you may’t defeat the system, generally, you’ve obtained to hitch the system — all hope 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 adjustments, and filters that may carry again a cleaner, calmer, and extra customizable expertise, listed below are six YouTube hacks that you must attempt immediately:
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 if you’re making an attempt to keep away from a YouTube deep dive, Shorts are overwhelmingly taking on the platform. Open the YouTube homepage, and also you’ll discover simply three correct video options (one in every 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 Take away 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 solely removes the Shorts class from YouTube’s left panel. You may 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 honest warning: the app asks for extra permissions than I’m personally comfy handing over, so use it with warning if it’s important to.
In the event you’re a Firefox consumer, take a look at the superb Management 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 that you could additionally change this.
In the event you’re utilizing Firefox or Courageous (browsers that also help 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)
Be aware that this hack gained’t work on uBlock Origin in Google Chrome as a result of it now 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 the rest you need, relying on the variety of rows you wish to see on YouTube.
In the event you don’t wish to mess with uBlock filters to do that, you may as well 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 reside movies, customizing thumbnail sizes, and skipping advertisements routinely, so make sure you take a look at these extra options as properly.
Hack #3: Get the previous YouTube look again
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
In the event you’re bored with YouTube’s cluttered look and infinite Shorts, you may as well take a look at the YouTube Redux extension to take issues again to how they was. The Chrome extension brings again the traditional, retro YouTube structure you realize and love, full with the old-school video participant dimension, easier homepage grid, and not one of the further fluff. Other than the acquainted interface, you’ll even be saved from autoplaying channel trailers and distracting sidebars. So should you’ve been lacking the best way YouTube used to really feel, Redux will allow you to reclaim that have in just some clicks. The most effective half should 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 should you simply need the video to cease if you depart 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
In case you have a tool that natively helps system-wide computerized 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 have to be utilized with the identical methodology I described in hack #2. They’ll enable you to take away every thing from podcast playlists to music playlists, mixes, livestreams, and extra.
- Removes podcast playlists from residence:
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 may customise your YouTube UI by selecting any (or all) of those filters and pasting them into uBlock Origin or selecting extra from this very helpful filter listing {that a} Redditor has shared.
Hack #6: Take a break
Falling down the YouTube rabbit gap is inevitable generally. I’m positive there are days you’ve discovered your self streaming for hours. However YouTube offers you a straightforward means out of this unhealthy behavior. To regulate your binge-watching urges on the YouTube cellular app, you may 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 swap to show reminders on
- Set your Reminder frequency and faucet OK.
It’s also possible to set a bedtime reminder by going to Profile image > Settings > Basic > Remind me when it’s bedtime and choosing a begin and finish time.
We hope you discovered these YouTube hacks useful. In case you have any ideas or methods of your individual, drop them within the feedback and share the knowledge with us and fellow readers.
