5 Version - Youtube Android

If you're trying to run YouTube on a device using Android 5.0 (Lollipop), you've likely noticed that the official app no longer works. Support for Android 5 officially ended around October 2021, and Google Play Services ceased support for this OS in July 2024.

5. What is not included (Out of Scope)

• YouTube Music integration
• Live Chat (uses modern WebRTC)
• PIP (Picture in Picture) – Android 5 PIP is buggy
• Shorts creation/upload
• Community posts / Polls

Other Key Features

and accept new permissions just to maintain basic functionality. Current Minimums youtube android 5 version

However, the relationship between YouTube and Android 5.0 eventually became a case study in the inevitable march of software evolution. What was once a perfect pairing eventually became a technical liability, leading to one of the most significant app deprecations in recent memory. If you're trying to run YouTube on a device using Android 5

Developer / uploader considerations

• Targeting viewers: many users on Android 5 are on older hardware and slower networks—provide multiple resolutions and adaptive streams.
• Encoding: include 360p and 720p H.264 encodes for broader compatibility.
• Thumbnails & metadata: optimize thumbnails and short titles so users on small screens can quickly decide to watch.
• App features: avoid relying on the latest API-only features (Picture-in-Picture, modern DRM) for compatibility.

If you are still using a device with Android 5, you have a few options to keep watching:  YouTube Music integration Live Chat (uses modern WebRTC)

The Impact of Version 5