Louis [OLD ACCOUNT]

My post about #Newpipe is now available in English!
If you're interested in using a free and #OpenSource app instead of the official youtube app, that doesn't track you, doesn't show you adds, allows video and audio downloading, and even playing with the screen off (great for saving data and battery), go and install it now!

You can follow content from #YouTube, #Peertube, and more.

https://ikacode.com/en/newpipe-the-ethical-alternative-to-youtube/

NewPipe, the ethical alternative to Youtube - IkaCode

You can watch and listen to YouTube videos without using the official app. The advantages are considerable, particularly in terms of reducing the amount of mobile data you consume.

IkaCode
Mar 21, 2025 at 9:30amWeb
Show threadNayab SayedMar 21, 2025
@louischance How do you take measures for this possible outcome?
Show threadLouis [OLD ACCOUNT]Mar 21, 2025
@nayab good question, I guess it will depend on the pressure and determination of the developers behind it. I guess it's like for extensions like ublockorigin.
Show threadHarold SmithMar 23, 2025
@louischance promoting these guys since years, donated 50 bucks last christmas.
Everytime google tried to shut them down they are back online in less than a day. Great work!
Show threadLouis [OLD ACCOUNT]Mar 23, 2025
@MisterSmith yeah they're doing an amazing job and manage to release a patch super fast when this happens. Great to hear that you're donating to the project, they deserve it.
Show threadtj usiyanMar 24, 2025
@louischance This seems like a nice project and effort. Is there any way that you might reconsider the name? I understand the word play intended (I think) but pipe… has other possibly meanings in English and prefixing it with “new” … is unfortunate
Show threadLouis [OLD ACCOUNT]Mar 24, 2025
@griotspeak Hi, thanks for your message, well I'm not behind the project, I'm just a happy user who wrote a blog post about it to help people install it and give it a try :)
Show threadmyrmepropagandistMar 30, 2025

@louischance

I've run a server from time to time, well, paid for one and put files there ...what I learned from that experience is that serving video is always a risk. The files are large and if they become very popular the simple expense/burden of serving them is massing. This is why I've been hesitant to use alternatives to youTube for my short ant videos. Most of the stuff I post gets a few 100 views, but on tikTok now and then I'd break 100k if something caught on. How does that work here?

Show threadLouis [OLD ACCOUNT]Mar 30, 2025
@futurebird Newpipe is not storing any video, it is a front end YouTube player.
It's like watching YouTube in your browser without an account, except it's through an app basically, that removes ads and tracking, and with history/subscriptions.
Show threadmyrmepropagandistMar 30, 2025

@louischance

So youTube is doing the serving in the end? That's neat, but they will probably break it eventually if it's popular, yes?

Show threadLouis [OLD ACCOUNT]Mar 30, 2025

@futurebird yes exactly.
Well actually YouTube is trying to prevent such tools to work but then patches come out shortly after to counter that.

You can also try #freetube on desktop that does the same thing as #newpipe.

I made a video about it recently, it's in French but you have English subtitles available if you want to have a look: https://videos.ikacode.com/w/sBiBSgidzmrx7qw8fenKij

Freetube : regardez des vidéos Youtube sans être traqué⋅e !

PeerTube
Show threadThor A. HoplandMar 30, 2025

It's funny to see low-key arms races like this between #vendors and #opensource developers. It makes you realize that "oh shi, someone's fighting back! GET 'EM!"

#Peertube being based on #bittorrent technology is hilarious - with historic context in mind. It's finally being used for it's original intent.

@louischance @futurebird

Show threadPhil Thane ✅Mar 30, 2025
@futurebird
I use freetube on my desktop. You're right, Google does break it from time to time but there's usually an upgrade in a few days to fix it. In principle Google and the content providers should be able to make a fair profit from ads or subs but in practice Google overstep the mark with tracking cookies and intrusive adverts then keep almost all the money denying the creatives of an income so I don't feel too guilty about using freetube.
@louischance