Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing YouTube Outdated Version Issue
If your device shows an error message stating:
"Switch To YouTube.com"
"This version of YouTube is outdated, and no updates are available for your device. Please visit youtube.com on your browser instead."
You can follow these step-by-step solutions to resolve the problem.
Before trying these 6 quick checks, they fix the majority of problems:
Restart the phone. (Power off and wait 30 seconds, and power on.)
Check the internet: Open another website or run a speed test. YouTube needs a stable connection.
Free storage: Ensure a minimum of 500 MB free — low storage prevents app updates and cache writes.
Check date & time: Wrong system date/time breaks secure connections. Set to automatic time.
Update Play Store apps: Open Google Play Store and tap your profile and Manage apps, and Update all (or at least YouTube, Google Play Services, Android System WebView).
Try the browser: Open ChromeFirefoxc and other browsers and go to youtube.com. If the site works, the problem is the app.
If YouTube works in the browser but not the app, continue to the app-specific fixes below.
Step 1 — Clear app cache & data (safe, fast):
Settings → Apps → YouTube → Storage.
Tap Clear cache. If that doesn’t help, tap Clear data (this logs you out but keeps your account safe).
Then, reopen YouTube and sign in if needed.
Step 2 — Update / Reinstall the YouTube app:
Older phones often run an outdated YouTube APK that Google no longer supports.
Open Google Play Store → search YouTube → Update (if available).
If Play Store shows it’s up-to-date but the app still fails: Uninstall updates (Settings → Apps → YouTube → three-dot menu → Uninstall updates), then update again.
As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the app from the Play Store.
Safety note: Avoid downloading APKs from unknown sites. If you must sideload, use reputable sources (APKMirror is widely used), and only get versions compatible with your Android level.
Step 3 — Update Google Play Services & Android System WebView:
YouTube depends on Google Play Services and the system WebView component for playback in some scenarios.
Play Store → search Google Play Services and Android System WebView → Update both.
Reboot after updates.
Step 4 — Use lightweight/alternative apps:
If the official app is too heavy for your device, try a lighter or third-party client:
YouTube Go / YouTube Lite (where available) — official lighter apps for low-end phones.
NewPipe — a privacy-friendly open-source YouTube client (not on the Play Store; sideload required).
In-browser: Use Firefox or Opera and request the mobile site or desktop site if needed.
Be aware that third-party clients may lack features (casts, subscriptions syncing) and may require sideloading.
Step 5 — Fixing codec or playback errors:
If the video starts but plays with errors (no sound, stuttering):
Lower playback quality in the video player (tap three dots → Quality → choose 144p–360p).
Disable Data Saver in YouTube settings.
If audio fails, try headphones — hardware or driver issues sometimes affect codecs.
Older devices may not support modern codecs (VP9, AV1). Choosing a lower resolution often forces older codecs (H.264) that the device handles.
Step 6 — Advanced: Update Android System (OTA) or OEM apps:
If your phone has a pending system update, installing it can restore compatibility.
Settings → About phone → System update → Check for updates.
Install only if your battery is >50% and you have a Wi-Fi connection.
If your phone is already end-of-life from the manufacturer and the OS is very old, the official update may not exist — move to the next steps.
Step 7 — Advanced power user options (use with care):
These steps are more technical and involve risk (data loss, warranty voiding). Read warnings below before proceeding.
A. Sideload a compatible YouTube APK
Find a reputable APK host. Download a YouTube version that is compatible with your Android API level.
Enable Install unknown apps for your browser, sideload the APK, and install.
Reboot and test.
Warning: Sideloading can expose you to malware if the source is untrustworthy. Only use well-known repositories.
B. Install a custom lightweight ROM (LineageOS) or upgrade OS:
Unlocking the bootloader and flashing a custom ROM can move your phone to a newer Android, restoring app compatibility.
This requires: an unlocked bootloader, the correct ROM for your model, backups of all data, and following device-specific instructions.
Warning: This voids warranty for many phones, risks bricking, and must be done only by users comfortable with Android modding. Back up everything first.
Step 8 — If YouTube displays “Not supported” on certain videos:
Some content is restricted by DRM or region. Try:
Using a VPN to change region (be mindful of terms of service).
Confirm Google Account restrictions (e.g., logged in with a child/Family Link account).
Check if the video demands Widevine L1 (some DRM-protected Netflix/Prime features require it — rare for YouTube).
Step 9 — Final troubleshooting & getting help:
Factory reset as a last resort (Settings → Backup & reset → Factory data reset). Back up photos, contacts and messages first.
Check Xiaomi/Redmi forums and XDA Developers for model-specific fixes.
If the hardware (speaker, GPU) is faulty, visit a service centre.
Prevention & best practices
Keep at least a small amount of free storage (500 MB–1 GB).
Regularly update apps through the Play Store.
Use light or “Go” versions of apps if your phone is low on RAM.
Avoid installing random APKs — prefer official stores.
Short checklist recap (in order):
Restart phone, check internet, free storage, date/time.
Clear YouTube cache/data.
Update/reinstall YouTube, Play Services, Android System WebView.
Use a browser or YouTube Go/NewPipe if the app remains heavy.
Lower quality and tweak playback settings for codec issues.
Install OS updates if available.
(Advanced) Sideload compatible APK or install custom ROM — only if you know what you’re doing.
Factory reset only as a last resort.
How to fix “YouTube not supported” on Redmi 5A & other old phones — using "FixTron360" Old Mobile YouTube method:-
Step 1 — Find the FixTron360 page:
Open Google Chrome (or another browser) on the phone.
In the search box, type: Fixtron360 and tap Search. (You should see FixTron360.site in the results.)
Tap the FixTron360 result to open the website.
Tip: If you can’t find the page easily, add keywords like old mobile YouTube to the search (e.g., Fixtron360 old mobile YouTube download).
Step 2 — Locate the “Old Mobile YouTube” / Important Pages section:
Once the FixTron360 page loads, scroll / swipe down through the post. Many FixTron360 pages have an “Important Pages” or download list area.
Look for a link or heading that says Old Mobile Youtube, Old mobile new type Youtube, or anything labelled for old phones / light YouTube.
Tap that link — it should redirect to a page or show a downloadable APK link/icon.
Step 3 — Download the APK:
On the FixTron360 page, tap the download link or the blue download icon for the Old mobile new type YouTube. The browser will prompt to save the file.
Wait for the download to complete — check Notifications or Chrome’s Downloads page (chrome://downloads) to confirm.
( Download )
Step 4 — Scan the APK (recommended):
If you have a mobile antivirus app (e.g., Avast, Bitdefender or your preferred app), open it and scan the downloaded APK file.
If you can access a PC, upload the APK to a reputable online scanner (VirusTotal) to verify it’s clean before installing.
Step 5 — Install the APK:
Tap the downloaded APK (from the Downloads app or the browser’s download notification).
The system will prompt: “Do you want to install this application?” Confirm and allow any permission prompts.
If the installer says blocked by Play Protect, you can either allow the installation (Advanced → Install anyway) or choose to abort and find a safer source.
Wait for the installation to finish and tap Open when done.
Step 6 — Configure and use the old-style YouTube:
Open the newly installed app. It may identify itself as “YouTube (old mobile)” or a lighter variant.
Sign in if you want subscriptions and history. Note: some third-party builds may not support full Google sign-in — use cautiously.
In the app settings, choose a low playback quality (144–360p) for smoother playback on old hardware.
Step 7 — If installation fails or the RPP crashes:
Install blocked? Make sure “Install unknown apps” is enabled for the browser and that the APK is complete (no truncated download). Re-download if needed.
App crashes on launch? Clear app cache: Settings → Apps → [app] → Storage → Clear cache & Clear data, then reopen.
YouTube features missing? This older build might not support casting, comments, or DRM-protected videos. Use the browser for those features.
Step 8 — After successful install: tighten security:
Go back to Settings → Install unknown apps and disable the permission for your browser — do not leave it enabled.
Uncheck any Play Protect exceptions you may have added.
Keep the app updated only from sources you trust.
Alternatives if you don’t want to sideload
Use m.youtube.com in Chrome and add a shortcut to your home screen (three dots → Add to Home screen).
Install YouTube Go or YouTube Lite (if available for your region) from the Play Store — official and safer.
Use third-party open-source clients like NewPipe (again, sideload required) — these are privacy-focused but lack Play Store convenience.