ReVanced YouTube Extended
for Android 5
Complete Guide 2026 — Bring ad-free YouTube, background playback, and SponsorBlock to ancient Lollipop devices with this unofficial community fork.
📋 Table of Contents
ReVanced YouTube Extended for Android 5 is a specialized, community-maintained modification that brings many ReVanced Extended (RVX) features to devices still running Android 5.0 Lollipop. It is not an official ReVanced or inotia00 release. It is an unofficial fork created and maintained by developer d4n3436 so that very old phones and tablets can continue using a patched YouTube client with ad-blocking, background playback, SponsorBlock, and other enhancements.
Because Google has long dropped support for ancient YouTube clients, this version relies on heavy version spoofing and carries known limitations. It remains one of the few ways to run a feature-rich YouTube mod on pure Android 5 hardware.
Quick Facts
| App name | ReVanced YouTube Extended for Android 5 |
| Package name | app.rvx.android.youtube |
| Developer | d4n3436 |
| Source code | github.com/d4n3436/revanced-patches-android5 |
| Base YouTube version | 16.40.36 |
| Target Android | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and some 5.1 devices |
| Root required | No (GmsCore required for Google login) |
| Project type | Unofficial community fork |
| Current status | Niche / limited long-term support |
What Is ReVanced YouTube Extended for Android 5?
Most modern ReVanced and ReVanced Extended builds require Android 8.0 or higher. Older devices were left behind when Google stopped supporting ancient YouTube clients.
d4n3436’s project takes an old but still-patchable YouTube APK (16.40.36), applies a specially adapted set of ReVanced Extended patches, and forces the client to spoof a newer version so that YouTube’s servers still accept it. The result is a usable (though imperfect) ad-free YouTube experience on Android 5 hardware.
It is based on kitadai31’s earlier Android 6/7 fork of ReVanced Extended and shares many of the same patches, adapted for the much older base app.
Maintained by d4n3436
Unofficial community fork based on kitadai31’s Android 6/7 work — not affiliated with official ReVanced or inotia00.
Key Features
- ✓Full compatibility with Android 5.0 Lollipop
- ✓Ad-free video playback (pre-roll, mid-roll, and banner ads removed)
- ✓Background playback and Picture-in-Picture (where the old client supports it)
- ✓Custom video playback speeds
- ✓SponsorBlock integration for skipping sponsored segments, intros, and outros
- ✓Return YouTube Dislike (where still functional)
- ✓Customizable UI elements and basic theme options
- ✓Video quality controls
- ✓Performance-oriented patches aimed at low-end / older devices
- ✓MicroG / GmsCore support for non-root Google account login
Important Limitations & Known Issues (2026)
Heavily constrained by Google’s backend changes
The app must spoof a newer client version (commonly 17.33.42 or similar). This causes several side effects and long-term reliability is limited.
Known issues reported by the maintainer and users:
- Videos in the home feed may become unclickable when logged in. Workaround: add videos to a playlist and play them from there.
- Opening the video quality / settings menu can crash the app.
- Some modern YouTube features are missing or broken because the base client is from 2021–2022.
- Long-term reliability is limited. As YouTube continues to tighten client checks, these old builds can stop working without warning.
- Official documentation and related guides describe the Android 5 version as “almost dead” for daily use on newer YouTube infrastructure.
Requirements
- 1Device running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or 5.1
- 2GmsCore (ReVanced GmsCore or a compatible MicroG build) installed before signing in
- 3Enough free storage for the APK and GmsCore
- 4Ability to install apps from unknown sources
- 5Recommended: the special ReVanced Manager fork for Android 5–7 (by kitadai31) if you want to patch the app yourself
How to Install
Method 1 – Pre-built APK (easiest)
Install GmsCore / MicroG first
Install a compatible GmsCore or MicroG build before anything else. This is required for Google account login without root.
Download the APK
Download a trusted pre-built ReVanced YouTube Extended for Android 5 APK from a source you trust.
Enable unknown sources
Enable “Install unknown apps” for your browser or file manager in system settings.
Install & sign in
Install the APK, open the app, and sign in with your Google account via GmsCore.
Method 2 – Patch it yourself (recommended for transparency)
Install the Android 5–7 Manager fork
Install the ReVanced Manager fork that supports Android 5–7 (by kitadai31).
Get YouTube 16.40.36 APK
Download the official YouTube 16.40.36 APK (do not install it — keep it for patching only).
Set patches source
In Manager settings, set the patches source to d4n3436 / revanced-patches-android5 and the matching integrations.
Patch & install
Select the 16.40.36 APK from storage, patch it, install the resulting APK, and sign in via GmsCore.
Pro Tip
Always keep a backup of a working APK. These builds can break after YouTube server-side changes. Prefer building the APK yourself whenever possible for maximum transparency.
Who Should Use This Build?
Good for
• Users whose only device still runs Android 5.0 / 5.1
• People who want basic ad-blocking, background play, and SponsorBlock on ancient hardware
• Temporary use while planning a device upgrade
Not recommended for
• Anyone who can install a newer Android version or use a modern device
• Users who need reliable daily YouTube with full features
• People who want frequent updates and full compatibility with current YouTube
Better alternatives exist
If your device can run Android 6 or higher, use the Android 6/7 ReVanced Extended forks or modern ReVanced / Morphe builds instead. They are far more stable.
Safety & Legal Notes
Unofficial modification — use at your own risk
This is an unofficial modification. It violates YouTube’s Terms of Service. Download only from sources you trust and verify the package name (app.rvx.android.youtube). Prefer building the APK yourself when possible. Consider using a secondary Google account. Extremely old Android versions also have unpatched security vulnerabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Regular ReVanced Extended targets much newer YouTube versions and requires Android 8+. This is a special fork made only for Android 5.
The patch repository receives occasional maintenance merges, but the underlying YouTube client is frozen at 16.40.36. Major new features are unlikely.
Technically possible, but the dedicated Android 6/7 forks are better optimized and more feature-complete for those versions.
This is a known side effect of the mandatory version spoof required to keep the old client online. Use playlists as a workaround.
Final Recommendation
ReVanced YouTube Extended for Android 5 is a valuable rescue project for the few remaining Android 5 devices. It successfully brings ad-free viewing, background playback, and SponsorBlock to hardware that would otherwise be stuck with a broken or heavily limited stock YouTube app.
However, it is a stop-gap solution. The combination of an ancient base client and aggressive version spoofing means stability will continue to decline. If you still rely on an Android 5 device in 2026, treat this mod as a temporary bridge and plan an upgrade when possible.
For modern devices, use current ReVanced, anddea-based RVX, or Morphe builds instead.