What is NewPipe?
NewPipe is a libre lightweight streaming front-end for Android. It supports YouTube and YouTube Music, PeerTube and its instances, Bandcamp, SoundCloud and media.ccc.de, and YouTube is the best supported of these.
It works by fetching data from the official API of the service, such as PeerTube. If the official API is restricted or proprietary, the app parses the website or uses an internal API instead. You do not need an account on any service to use it.
The app and its Extractor are free and open source software and use no proprietary libraries or frameworks such as Google Play Services, so NewPipe can run on devices or custom ROMs without Google apps. The README labels the app as beta and says bugs may occur.
NewPipe screenshots
Explore the interface. Open a screenshot to view it at full size.
Source: official NewPipe project page.
Key capabilities
- Video playback at resolutions up to 4K
- Background audio that loads only the audio stream to save data
- Popup mode (Picture-in-Picture)
- Subscriptions without logging into any account
- Search, watch history and local playlists
- Support for several services including PeerTube and Bandcamp
Where NewPipe fits
NewPipe fits personal Android viewing and listening workflows that need background audio, local playlists or channel subscriptions without service accounts. Downloads also support offline use, while compatibility with devices lacking Google apps makes it relevant to custom ROM users.
Before deployment, device compatibility, supported-service behavior and the update channel need checking. Recent releases require Android 6 or later. APK signatures should be verified, and switching between differently signed distributions can require a database backup, reinstallation and restoration. Upstream service changes can make timely application updates necessary.
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Alternatives to NewPipe
FreeTubeFreeTube is an open-source YouTube desktop client for Windows, macOS and Linux that plays videos without ads and keeps subscriptions on your computer.
InvidiousInvidious provides a web interface for watching YouTube videos without ads or tracking. It supports independent subscriptions, audio-only playback, data imports and exports, and a developer API.