YouTube Premium Archives

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

I spent a month with YouTube Premium Lite, and I’m already canceling my subscription

YouTube Premium Lite was launched in South Africa as a budget-friendly option at R49.99 per month, approximately 39% cheaper than the full YouTube Premium subscription. Users were disappointed to find that ads still appeared in various areas of the app, including recommended feeds and search results, despite the promise of an ad-free experience. The service lacks features such as offline video downloads, leading to a perception that users are not getting their money's worth. A survey indicated that many users opt out of YouTube Premium, often using ad blockers or tolerating ads instead. The demand for a more affordable ad-free experience remains unmet, and users feel that their subscriptions do not adequately support creators, especially as Alphabet reports record profits.

AppWizard

August 22, 2026

Android Auto YouTube Limitations: Is It Worth Using In The Car?

The experience of using YouTube on Android Auto is currently limited, primarily allowing audio playback while driving. Google announced plans for enhancements during the Android Show: I/O Edition event in May, which will enable HD video playback at 60 frames per second when the vehicle is stationary and transition to audio-only mode when in motion. The update will also feature a revamped interface and improved integration with brands like BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, and Hyundai. Users can access audio from YouTube videos while driving, but full video playback is available only for YouTube Premium subscribers. An update later this year will bring native YouTube support to Android Auto, allowing users to watch videos while parked. Unofficial methods like the Fermata Auto app or AA Browser can provide video playback while parked, but these are not officially supported solutions.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

New Android Auto Update: Google Releases Version 17.5 for All Users

Google has rolled out Android Auto 17.5, available to both beta and stable users through the Google Play Store. The update lacks a detailed changelog, indicating a focus on behind-the-scenes improvements. Users have reported issues related to the new AI-powered assistant, Gemini, which is set to replace Google Assistant next month, including difficulties with basic tasks and crashes. A bug requires users to unlock their phones to use Android Auto. Users can manually download Android Auto 17.5 using APK installers. Future features include support for widgets and video apps like YouTube, with video functionality available only to YouTube Premium users. The update will continue to roll out over the coming weeks.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

YouTube’s new autoplay behavior is already triggering thousands of users

YouTube's app for Android has begun automatically replaying paused videos when the app is reopened after several hours of inactivity, leading to frustration among users. Reports indicate that this issue affects both paying and non-paying users, with over 3,000 users expressing their concerns on YouTube's support pages. The problem has been noted for several months, with initial reports dating back to March. Some users have found temporary relief by uninstalling and reinstalling the app. This behavior has raised questions about whether it is an intended feature rather than a glitch.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

My parents’ Android phones were ruined by invasive ads. Here’s how I fixed them for good

Mobile advertising on Android devices has seen a rise in deceptive pop-ups that mimic legitimate notifications or system updates, leaving many users, particularly less tech-savvy individuals, vulnerable. A personal experience highlighted this issue when a family member fell for a misleading PDF ad, leading to the installation of multiple fraudulent applications. Recently, similar deceptive ads were encountered on YouTube, raising concerns about the safety of family members who rely on their devices for important tasks. Discussions on platforms like Reddit have pointed out the prevalence of misleading ads on family-friendly platforms. The author expressed a desire to block all ads if companies cannot ensure their safety. To address the issue, the author sought an ad-blocking solution that allows for remote management and network-wide filtering, ultimately choosing NextDNS. This content filtering solution offers a free account with sufficient monthly DNS queries and supports individual profiles for tailored settings. The setup process for NextDNS involves creating profiles for each family member, allowing for distinct settings and blocklists, and configuring devices with the provided DNS-over-TLS endpoint details. While NextDNS is effective, it does not eliminate all ads, particularly those from platforms like YouTube, indicating that additional measures may be necessary for comprehensive security. Regularly reviewing app permissions and uninstalling unnecessary applications are also recommended for enhancing security.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

You can now get YouTube Premium for half price with Google AI Pro

Google is offering a 50% discount on the annual YouTube Premium subscription for new subscribers to the Google AI Pro plan, reducing the yearly cost significantly. This promotion follows recent price hikes for YouTube Premium in the U.S. and aims to attract users to the AI Pro subscription, which has increased its storage capacity from 2TB to 5TB at no extra cost. The discounted rate will continue upon renewal, but it is only available to the Google One plan manager or family organizer, not to other family plan members. Subscribers will receive features like background playback, offline downloads, ad-free viewing, and access to Gemini-powered functionalities.

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

YouTube Premium just got a price hike, and it’s not a small one

YouTube Premium prices in the US are increasing next month for individual, family, and student plans. The individual plan will rise to .99/month, and the family plan will increase to .99/month. This follows a previous price adjustment in July 2023 when the individual plan rose from .99 to .99 per month. Users have started receiving official emails about the changes, which highlight benefits like ad-free viewing and offline downloads. The increase comes as YouTube has increased ads for free users and is cracking down on ad blockers. Some users have expressed frustration over the rising costs without perceived improvements in value.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

YouTube adds Android Auto support for background play controls

YouTube has rolled out support for Android Auto, allowing limited interaction with the platform. Users can access basic features like play/pause and skip to the next video through the dashboard media widget, but cannot play videos or use comprehensive media controls. A YouTube Premium subscription is required for background play, with a new Premium Lite plan available starting February 2026 for .99 per month, which will also include background play.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

YouTube now works with Android Auto, but not in the way you’d expect

YouTube now supports audio playback on Android Auto, but video viewing is not available. Google has added playback controls such as play, pause, and skip directly to the car interface, allowing users to manage playback without using their phones. This update is being gradually rolled out, and while it improves the user experience for audio content, it does not include video playback. Users subscribed to YouTube Premium Lite can access these features. Future enhancements for a more comprehensive YouTube experience may be introduced at Google I/O 2026.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

YouTube is rolling out support for Android Auto, but there are quite a few catches with it — and it could be another way to get you to sign up to Premium

YouTube has introduced support for Android Auto, allowing users to integrate the platform with their vehicle's dashboard, but with restrictions. Users can only access audio content, similar to music streaming services, as video playback is not available. Playback controls are limited; users cannot skip ahead within a video, only to the next item in the playlist. A YouTube Premium subscription is required to use this feature, with the cheapest option being the YouTube Premium Lite plan at .99/£7.99/AU.99 per month.