The main ways to remove ads from YouTube

YouTube shows ads in three ways: before videos start, during longer videos, and as banners overlaid on the video itself. You can remove all of them by paying for YouTube Premium, which costs $13.99 per month for a standard account. If you do not want to pay, you can use ad blockers in your web browser, though YouTube actively works against them and they do not work on the YouTube mobile app or on smart TVs.

The trade-off is simple: YouTube Premium removes ads entirely but costs money every month. Ad blockers are free but require you to watch YouTube on a computer, may stop working after YouTube updates, and violate YouTube's terms of service. Neither option works if you watch YouTube through the app on your phone or tablet.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube Premium removes all ads for $13.99 per month and works on every device, including phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
  • Ad blockers remove ads on computers only and do not work on the YouTube app or when you cast to a TV.
  • YouTube regularly updates its code to break ad blockers, so a working blocker today may fail in weeks or months.
  • The YouTube app on phones and tablets has no built-in way to disable ads without paying for Premium.

YouTube Premium: the paid option

YouTube Premium removes all ads from every video you watch, on every device. You watch on your phone, your computer, your tablet, or your smart TV — ads disappear on all of them. You also get offline downloads (save videos to watch without internet), background play (listen to videos with your screen off), and access to YouTube Music Premium at no extra cost.

The subscription costs $13.99 per month for a standard account. YouTube also offers a family plan for $22.99 per month that covers up to six people, which works out to about $3.83 per person. Students can get Premium for $6.99 per month if they have a valid .edu email address. You can cancel at any time with no penalty.

To start a free trial or subscribe, open YouTube on any device, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, select "Get YouTube Premium," and follow the payment steps. YouTube typically offers a one-month free trial to new subscribers.

Ad blockers on computers

Ad blockers are browser extensions that prevent ads from loading on YouTube when you watch in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Popular options include uBlock Origin (free, open-source), Adblock Plus (free with optional paid version), and AdGuard (free with paid options). You install them from your browser's extension store, and they begin blocking ads immediately on YouTube and most other websites.

The catch is that YouTube detects ad blockers and sometimes blocks you from watching videos entirely, showing a message that says "Video player will be blocked after 3 videos." When this happens, you either disable the ad blocker temporarily, switch to a different blocker, or update your current blocker to a newer version. This cycle repeats because YouTube updates its detection methods regularly.

Ad blockers do not work on the YouTube mobile app, on YouTube TV, or when you cast YouTube to a smart TV from your phone. They only work when you watch YouTube in a web browser on a computer.

Why ad blockers stop working

YouTube's engineers write code specifically to detect and block ad blockers. When a blocker stops working, it is usually because YouTube released an update that changed how ads are delivered or how the page loads. The ad blocker's developers then update their extension to work around the new detection method. This creates an ongoing cycle where blockers work for a few weeks or months, then stop, then work again after an update.

Some blockers update more frequently than others. uBlock Origin updates often and tends to work longer before YouTube breaks it. Smaller or abandoned blockers may stop working permanently if their developers do not maintain them. There is no may provide that any ad blocker will continue working on YouTube indefinitely.

Watching YouTube on phones and tablets

The YouTube app on iOS and Android does not support ad blockers, and there is no built-in setting to disable ads. Your only options are to pay for YouTube Premium or to watch YouTube in a mobile web browser instead of the app.

If you use a web browser on your phone (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge), you can install an ad blocker extension on some browsers — Firefox on Android supports extensions, while Chrome on Android does not. Even with a blocker installed, YouTube may still show ads or block you from watching. The most reliable way to remove ads on a phone is YouTube Premium.

YouTube on smart TVs and streaming devices

The YouTube app on smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and Chromecast does not support ad blockers. If you cast YouTube from your phone to your TV, ads will still play even if you have an ad blocker installed on your phone. YouTube Premium is the only way to remove ads when watching on these devices.

Some people try to use a VPN or DNS-level ad blocker to block YouTube ads on their entire network, but YouTube detects these methods and either shows ads anyway or blocks playback. These workarounds are unreliable and often violate YouTube's terms of service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does YouTube Premium work on family accounts?

Yes. The family plan ($22.99 per month) covers up to six people and removes ads for all of them on all devices. Each person gets their own account and their own recommendations, and the payment is shared among family members.

Can I use a free trial of YouTube Premium multiple times?

No. YouTube typically offers one free trial per account. Once you use it, you cannot claim another trial on the same account, though you may be offered a discounted trial if you cancel and wait several months.

What happens if YouTube detects my ad blocker?

YouTube usually shows a message saying "Video player will be blocked after 3 videos" and counts down as you watch. You can disable the blocker temporarily to watch, or update the blocker to a newer version that works around YouTube's detection. Some people switch between multiple blockers when one stops working.

Does YouTube Premium remove sponsored content in videos?

No. YouTube Premium removes ads that YouTube places (pre-roll, mid-roll, and banner ads), but it does not remove sponsorships that creators mention inside their videos. Those are part of the video content itself and cannot be removed.

Is it legal to use an ad blocker on YouTube?

Ad blockers are legal software, but using one violates YouTube's terms of service. YouTube can block your account or restrict your access if they detect a blocker. In practice, YouTube usually just shows the "Video player will be blocked" message rather than permanently banning accounts for using blockers.