Use an Ad Blocker for Safari

Install a content blocker like AdGuard or 1Blocker from the App Store.

Go to Settings > Safari > Extensions and enable the ad blocker.

Use the Brave Browser

Download the Brave Browser from the App Store and use it to watch YouTube without ads.

Use an Alternative YouTube App

Some third-party YouTube apps like uYouPlus (requires sideloading) block ads while playing videos.

Use an Ad-Blocking Browser

Watching YouTube through an ad-blocking browser is one of the simplest ways to avoid ads without installing additional apps.

Steps:

• Download and install Brave Browser or Firefox from the Google Play Store.
• For Firefox, install the uBlock Origin extension for additional ad-blocking.
• Open YouTube in the browser instead of the YouTube app.

Why This Works: Browsers like Brave come with built-in ad-blockers, ensuring an ad-free experience without modifying the YouTube app.

Use YouTube Revanced (Vanced Alternative)

Since YouTube Vanced was discontinued, YouTube Revanced has emerged as the best ad-free YouTube app.

Steps:

• Download YouTube Revanced from the official source.
• Follow the installation guide (you may need to enable "Install from Unknown Sources" in settings).
• Open the app and sign in with your Google account (optional).

Why This Works: YouTube Revanced is an enhanced version of the official YouTube app with built-in ad-blocking, background play, and extra features.

Note: YouTube frequently updates its ad delivery, so ensure you're using the latest version of Revanced.

Use DNS-Based Ad Blocking

If you want a system-wide solution that blocks ads across multiple apps (not just YouTube), DNS-based blocking is the best choice.

Steps:

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Private DNS.
• Select Private DNS provider hostname and enter one of these options:
• dns.adguard.com (AdGuard DNS)
• nextdns.io (NextDNS - Customizable filtering)
• Save and restart your phone if necessary.

Why This Works: AdGuard DNS and NextDNS filter ads at the DNS level, which blocks most YouTube ads, including banner ads and some video ads.

Bonus: This method also blocks ads in other apps and games, making it a great overall privacy tool.

Install Pi-hole

Set up Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi or a Linux server following the official guide.

Add YouTube Ad Domains to Blocklist

Use a known YouTube ad domain blocklist in Pi-hole to filter requests.

Test and Adjust

Some ads may still slip through due to how YouTube serves them. Regularly update blocklists and tweak settings.