You lose seamless integration with the Android share menu, but you gain modern codecs, security updates, and zero installation hassle. Plus, uBlock Origin (available on Firefox) blocks all YouTube ads in the browser.
However, Google has moved on. The latest versions of the YouTube app require a minimum of Android 8.0 (Oreo). If you search for "YouTube" on the Google Play Store on your Android 7.1.1 device, you are likely greeted with the dreaded message: "Your device isn't compatible with this version." youtube android 7.1.1
: Some lighter versions of Google apps may have slightly longer support windows, but these are also being phased out for older OS versions. Software Update : Check your device settings ( Settings > System > Software Update You lose seamless integration with the Android share
: By long-pressing the YouTube app icon on your home screen, you can quickly jump into specific actions like Search , Subscriptions , or Trending without opening the app first. The latest versions of the YouTube app require
The catch? You cannot update to the latest version. The latest version of YouTube requires Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher. If you try to install the current APK file from the Play Store or third-party sites, the installation will simply fail, stating "Parse Error" or "Application not installed."