NewPipe is a popular open-source YouTube client for Android that provides an ad-free YouTube experience with extra features like background playback, video downloads, and more. Many iPhone users have been wondering – is it possible to install NewPipe on iOS?
Unfortunately, the short answer is no, you cannot install NewPipe on an iPhone or iPad. NewPipe is an Android-exclusive app that relies on Android APIs and cannot be ported directly to iOS. Apple’s restrictions on sideloading apps and their App Store policies make it virtually impossible for an app like NewPipe to exist on the platform.
However, iOS users looking for a YouTube app alternative similar to NewPipe do have a few options to enhance their YouTube experience on iPhone and iPad. Let’s explore some of the best NewPipe alternatives available on iOS.
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YouTube App Alternatives for iOS
1. Yattee
Yattee is a free and open-source YouTube client for iOS, tvOS and macOS. It provides an ad-free YouTube experience by using the Invidious API. Invidious is an open-source alternative frontend for YouTube that allows you to watch YouTube videos without ads and tracking.
With Yattee, you get features like background playback, picture-in-picture mode, and the ability to use SponsorBlock to skip sponsored segments in videos. However, since it relies on Invidious servers, you may need to occasionally switch instances if a particular server is down.
2. uYouPlus
uYouPlus is a modded version of the official YouTube app for iOS that adds features like adblocking, SponsorBlock integration, background playback, PiP mode and more. It uses the official YouTube API, so you get access to your subscriptions feed and can log into your Google account.
However, since it’s a modded app that violates YouTube’s terms of service, it is not available on the App Store. You need to sideload it using AltStore or a signing service. There are also privacy concerns with using your Google account on a third-party client.
3. Vinegar
Vinegar is a simple Safari extension for iOS, iPadOS and macOS that replaces the YouTube player with a minimal HTML video player. It allows you to watch YouTube videos without ads, distractions, and tracking. You can even use picture-in-picture mode on iPad and Mac.
The downsides are that it only works in Safari, and you don’t get access to YouTube-specific features like your subscriptions feed or playlists. But if you just want to watch the occasional YouTube video without annoyances, Vinegar is a good lightweight option.
4. YouTube Premium
If you want an official solution and can afford to pay, YouTube Premium is the way to go. For $11.99/month, you get an ad-free YouTube experience across all devices, background playback, video downloads, and access to YouTube Music Premium.
Of course, this doesn’t address YouTube’s privacy issues and their algorithmic recommendations that can sometimes lead you down rabbit holes. But it does provide a more pleasant YouTube experience while still supporting creators.
Browser-based Alternatives
For those who don’t want to install any apps, you can opt for browser-based YouTube frontends that work on any device. Options include:
- Invidious – An open-source alternative frontend for YouTube. You can use it through the official instances or host your own.
- Piped – Another open-source YouTube frontend focused on privacy and simplicity. It powers the LibreTube app on Android.
These allow you to watch YouTube in a web browser without ads and with extra features like shareable links that open in the frontend. You can even add them as web apps to your iPhone home screen for quick access.
Conclusion
While you cannot install NewPipe directly on iOS, there are some good alternative YouTube apps and browser extensions that provide a similar feature set. They may not be as seamless or full-featured as NewPipe on Android, but they do offer a better YouTube experience than the default app. Ultimately, the best alternative for you depends on your specific needs and priorities.