If you are determined to use the official, native YouTube application interface, you can bypass the version check by modifying your device's system files. This trick tricks Google's servers into thinking your device is running a newer version of Android. Prerequisites A fully rooted Android 5.1.1 device.
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In some older builds, unchecking "Use new player" in Developer Options can improve playback stability .
Support for Lollipop-era devices officially ended in July 2024 , meaning these devices no longer receive critical security updates or guaranteed compatibility with modern Google apps .
The Android 5.1.1 Lollipop operating system, launched in 2015, remains in active use on many legacy smartphones, tablets, and car infotainment systems. However, running the YouTube app on this version presents significant technical hurdles due to deprecated API support from Google.
Given that the official app is a dead end, here are the three most practical alternatives, ranked from safest to most feature-rich.
No ads, background playback support, video downloading capabilities, and lightweight memory usage.
Alternatives
Do not use random "APK downloader" sites. Use APKMirror (owned by the tech news site Illogical Robot). It is the only site Google trusts for security.
Since the official app is effectively dead on Android 5.1.1, the best way to watch YouTube is through third-party apps designed to work on older APIs. 1. NewPipe