: YouTube periodically updates its API. If you go back to a version that is too old (such as Android apps from 2018 or earlier), the app will throw a connection error or state "You must update to continue," even if your internet works.
When trying to get the old version of YouTube, you may encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
Newer updates often make the app heavier, leading to slow performance on older smartphones.
Caveats:
You're looking for a way to access an older version of YouTube. Here are some methods:
Give you a guide on for customization. Show you how to use user scripts for the desktop layout.
In late 2021, YouTube hid public dislike counts. You can bring them back on desktop browsers and modified mobile apps using . This extension uses a combination of archived data and user data estimates to display accurate dislike numbers on any video. SponsorBlock how to get old version of youtube
You cannot natively click a button in your YouTube settings to revert the layout. Google permanently removed the "Restore classic YouTube" option years ago. However, browser extensions and scripts can completely reshape the modern desktop site to look and function like older iterations. Custom Script Managers and Themes
Search for scripts like or "YouTube - Old Layout" . Click Install this script .
Open your browser's extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, etc.). Search for or "ReOldify" . Click Add to Chrome or Add to Firefox . : YouTube periodically updates its API
Tampermonkey will run the script in the background every time you load YouTube, changing elements like the sidebar, video player, and comment section back to older iterations. Method 2: Accessing Old YouTube on Android via APKs
For Android users, you can often roll back the app to its factory-installed version or sideload a specific older build.
Several third-party websites and archives periodically snapshot and host older versions of popular websites, including YouTube. Here are some common problems and their solutions: