YouTube Premium APK [21.19.286] Jun 2026

YouTube Premium is the paid tier of the official YouTube app, and this page covers the APK that unlocks it: no ads, background play, picture-in-picture, downloads for offline viewing, and YouTube Music Premium on the side. Below you will find the latest version, install steps, what changed, and what to check before installing.

What is YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium removes ads from every video and lets the app keep playing when you lock the screen or switch to another app. That one change, audio that does not stop when the screen goes off, is the reason most people want it.

It also adds downloads. You can save videos and whole playlists to watch later without a connection, which matters when data is expensive or patchy. A YouTube Music Premium unlock comes bundled, so background music and offline tracks work in the music app too.

This APK is a patched build of the official client, so the interface is the one you already know. You sign in with your normal Google account and the Premium features are active without a monthly charge.

What does YouTube Premium offer?

The core is ad-free viewing. No pre-roll, no mid-roll, and no banner sitting over the video. On a slow or metered connection that alone saves both data and time.

Background playback keeps audio going after you leave the app or turn off the screen, and picture-in-picture shrinks the video into a corner so you can do other things while it plays. Both are blocked on the free app in most regions.

Downloads let you store videos at a quality you choose for offline play. The bundled YouTube Music side gives you background music, offline songs, and an audio-only mode that suits podcasts and long mixes.

Key features

YouTube Premium keeps the official app's surface and switches on the parts that normally need a subscription. Here is what people install it for:

• Ad-free videos: No ads before, during, or after playback.
• Background play: Audio keeps going with the screen off or in another app.
• Picture-in-picture: Keep a video in a floating window while you multitask.
• Offline downloads: Save videos and playlists to watch without data.
• YouTube Music Premium: Ad-free, background, and offline music included.
• Higher quality options: Stream and download at the bitrate your device supports.

What's new in the latest version?

The latest YouTube Premium build (v21.19.286) tracks the current official release, with the patch rebuilt on top so the unlocks keep working. Patched builds usually follow the official version by a few days while the patch catches up.

• Rebuilt against the newest official YouTube client
• Ad-blocking patches updated to match recent server-side changes
• Stability fixes on Android 14 and 15
• Smoother background-playback handoff between apps
• Lower memory use on devices with less RAM
• Interface tweaks matching the official app's current look

YouTube Premium without microG, and how it compares to ReVanced and Vanced

If you have looked into ad-free YouTube before, you have run into Vanced, ReVanced, and the microG question. Vanced is the older project that shut down. ReVanced is the patcher that replaced it, and it usually needs a separate microG app so you can sign in without the official Play Services hooks. That extra step trips a lot of people up.

The build on this page is the simpler route. It runs as a patched YouTube client and signs in with your account directly, so you are not installing microG on the side just to log in. If you specifically want the ReVanced setup with its custom patches, that is a different process. This page is the one-file option for people who just want Premium features without the assembly.

Pros and cons

App information

How to install YouTube Premium APK on Android

Is YouTube Premium safe?

YouTube Premium is safest from Google Play, but the paid tier there needs a subscription. This APK is a patched version of the same app, so the usual sideload checks apply: confirm the package name (com.google.android.youtube), the version, and the file size before you install. If any of those look off, do not install.

The APK here is signed by the patcher, not by Google, so Play Protect will warn you on install. That warning is normal for any sideloaded app. The real question is what is inside the file, which is why the package name, version, and file size are listed up top. Because you sign in with your Google account, treat it like any modified client and decide your own comfort level.

FAQ

• Is the YouTube Premium APK free?
  Yes. The APK installs free and unlocks the Premium features without a subscription. It is a patched build of the official YouTube app.
• Do I need microG to use it?
  No. This build signs in with your Google account directly, so you do not have to install microG on the side the way some ReVanced setups do.
• Does background play and picture-in-picture work?
  Yes. Audio keeps playing with the screen off or in another app, and you can pop the video into a floating window while you do other things.
• Is YouTube Music Premium included?
  Yes. The Premium unlock covers YouTube Music too, so you get ad-free, background, and offline music in the music app.
• Will it survive a YouTube update?
  Usually. After a big official update the patch can need a refresh, which may take a few days. If playback breaks, come back here for the rebuilt version.
• Is it safe to sign in with my account?
  It works, but it is a modified client, so there is some risk to any account you use. If that worries you, sign in with a secondary Google account.

Final verdict

YouTube Premium is worth it if ads and the screen-off-stops-audio limit are your main frustrations with YouTube. This APK gives you the ad-free, background, and offline experience without the monthly fee, on the same app you already use. Check the version, package name, and file size before installing, and update from this page when a new build lands.

For your main Google account, the official Play Store subscription is the safer path because of Google's scanning and auto-updates. Use the patched build with a secondary account if account safety is a concern. If you only have one account, weigh the saved subscription cost against the small chance that a YouTube update briefly breaks the patch.