How to turn off YouTube ads

YouTube made an estimated $40 billion in ad revenue in 2025, so the platform’s owner, Google, has a strong incentive to prevent users from dodging ads. But, when they seem to get longer and more frequent every year, it’s only natural to seek a way to sidestep those annoying pre- and mid-roll promotions.

Understandably, YouTube makes you pay for the privilege with their premium subscription service YouTube Premium, but even that solution can’t block the sponsored segments creators build into their videos.

If you’re looking for another way, read on for an overview of the available options to turn off ads on YouTube, including some methods that aren’t necessarily recommended.

Use YouTube Premium

• Works for: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows, and Smart TV

First off, the obvious choice. YouTube Premium is the only official method to get rid of ads on YouTube, and the only option that works consistently on devices like smart TVs and gaming consoles where installing ad-blocking software isn’t always possible.

It’s a monthly subscription service, with plans starting from $15.99 (or $8.99 for students). By paying a monthly fee, you essentially buy out the ad space, ensuring creators still get paid when you opt to watch without ads. In addition, you get a range of other features, like the ability to download videos to watch offline and play videos in the background, like when your phone is locked.

YouTube has also recently introduced a slightly cheaper service, Premium Lite, in selected regions, including the U.S. This option offers many of the same features, including an ad-free experience on “most non-music content,” for the more palatable monthly price of $7.99.

How to set it up:

1. Open the YouTube app or website and tap your profile icon.
2. Select Purchases and memberships.
3. Find the “Go ad-free with YouTube Premium” offer and choose Learn more.
4. Choose the plan you want — fully ad-free options start at $15.99 for individuals, but discounts are available for students.

Get an ad blocker

• Works for: Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows

Ad blockers are browser extensions or system-wide applications that filter web traffic and automatically block detected ads. Finding the right ad blocker can help minimize YouTube ads, along with ads across the rest of the internet, but not every ad blocker will work on all websites.

This is because, although they’re perfectly legal to use in the U.S., they’re often prohibited in individual websites’ terms of service. These websites aim to detect if you’re blocking ads and may limit you, meaning you might end up not being able to watch YouTube at all until you disable the ad blocker.

Additionally, many ad blockers are only available as browser extensions. This means they’ll only block ads in browser sessions — not in other apps like YouTube. Popular browser extension ad blockers include uBlock Origin and 1Blocker, available on both desktop and mobile browsers.

AdGuard, on the other hand, is an example of a popular system-level ad blocker. It has a 4.4 star rating on Trustpilot, which implies it’s relatively trustworthy, but it’s important to be aware some system-level ad blockers may introduce more cybersecurity risks than browser-based ones, especially if they involve granting more permissions than you’re comfortable with.

Ad blockers can provide benefits outside of blocking YouTube ads, helping limit the number of malicious ads you run into elsewhere on the web. However, if you decide to use one, take extreme care to choose an option that you can verify is safe and secure.

Install an ad-blocking browser

• Works for: Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows

Ad-blocking browsers are internet browsers that have ad blocking and web tracker blocking functionality built in. That means, unlike with standard browsers such as Google Chrome or Safari, you don’t have to install a separate third-party ad-blocker extension.

Browsers with built-in ad blockers are generally more privacy-focused than other browsers, which makes them an ideal fit for privacy-conscious users looking for more than convenience. But they also tend to have many of the same modern features as the most popular options, meaning you don’t have to compromise on performance for security.

Norton Private Browser is one example of a browser with a built-in ad blocker. The Privacy Guard feature automatically blocks many ads, tracking cookies, and even fingerprinting, a technique advertisers use to identify your device based on details like your browser version and system settings.

The Brave browser is another popular example, with the Brave Shields feature helping block ads, cross-site trackers, and third-party cookies across the internet.

Set up network-wide blocking

• Works for: Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows, and Smart TV

Network-wide ad blocking stops ads at the network level, filtering internet traffic as it passes through your router to restrict ads from being served on any device connected to the network. There are two main ways to go about network-level ad blocking, both of which are more advanced than any of the other options on this list and are generally best suited to users with prior networking experience.

The first option is to use a DNS filtering service, like NextDNS or AdGuard Home, which provides filtering instructions to your router. This is how to set up a DNS filtering service:

1. Create an account with a DNS filtering provider.
2. Follow the provider’s setup guide to change your router’s DNS settings. This usually involves logging into your router through a web browser and entering the two DNS addresses provided by the service.
3. Restart your router to apply changes to all connected devices.

The second, more technically-involved option, involves using a small, dedicated device connected to your router, like a Raspberry Pi computer, and using home-brewed or open-source software to alter DNS settings.

While the steps will vary depending on your specific approach, this is generally how setting up Pi-hole, an open-source Linux-based program, goes:

1. Purchase a compatible device, like a Raspberry Pi 4 or Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W kit.
2. Connect it to your router with an Ethernet cable.
3. Install the Pi-hole software by following the official installation guide to download and install the filtering software on your device.
4. Update your router’s DNS settings to point to the Pi-hole device by logging into your router’s settings page in a web browser and entering the Pi-hole device’s local IP address as the DNS server.
5. Restart your router.

Consider modified YouTube apps

• Works for: Android

Modified YouTube apps are unofficial versions of the mobile YouTube app that have been reverse-engineered to remove the ad-serving component and unlock premium features like background play. These modded apps can technically help you get rid of YouTube ads, but they are also highly risky.

Modded apps aren’t available through official app stores like the Google Play Store. Installing them typically requires downloading files from third-party sources, which you may not be able to trust.

Even if the modified YouTube app you wanted to install is safe, the lack of an official verified source means you might end up accidentally downloading a fake version. And, because these apps don’t benefit from official app store checks or protections, they can contain malware, bugs, or backdoors that compromise your privacy and security.

They’ll also generally only get less reliable over time, as they don’t receive the standard updates that the official YouTube app gets to fix ongoing issues or introduce new functionality.

Learn about third-party YouTube frontends

• Works for: Android, Linux, Mac, and Windows

Third-party frontends are alternative apps or websites that let you watch YouTube content without visiting the official site. They stream videos directly from YouTube’s servers but don’t load ads that would otherwise be played by the YouTube client.

These options are designed to suit privacy-conscious users, since they don’t require a Google account to subscribe to channels or track viewing history. But they carry many of the same risks as modified YouTube ads because they’re unofficial and distributed by sources that can’t be verified as trustworthy.

Accordingly, using a third-party frontend is not recommended if you want to prioritize your online security and minimize the risk of encountering malware, hackers, or scammers.

Third-party YouTube apps for TV

• Works for: Android TV, Google TV, and Fire TV Stick

Aside from joining YouTube Premium or setting up network-level filtering, third-party apps are the only way to get rid of ads on YouTube for TV. These apps are designed specifically for televisions, meaning they tend to work smoothly with a remote control and large-screen layout.

But, since they’re not available in official smart TV app stores, installing them requires side-loading — a technique that involves manually installing an app file on hardware without the help of a user-friendly app store interface. This process also means that any apps you side-load will be unchecked by your TV’s security software, potentially leaving you exposed to the risk of installing malicious code.

How to turn off personalized ads

Turning off personalized ads won’t remove YouTube ads entirely, but it stops Google from tailoring them based on your activity and interests. This means that when you do see ads, they’ll be more generic.

To turn off personalized ads:

• Go to YouTube and sign in.
• Navigate to Settings > Account > View or change your Google Account settings > Data & privacy.
• Scroll down to My Ad Center and toggle off personalized ads.

Is it illegal to block YouTube ads?

No, it’s not illegal to block ads anywhere on the internet. However, intentionally blocking ads or using third-party clone apps may violate YouTube’s terms of service, meaning you could face content access issues. If YouTube detects that you’re using an ad blocker, they can throttle your connection to slow down video loading times or prevent you from viewing videos altogether until the blocker is disabled.

See fewer ads and boost your privacy with Norton

While YouTube Premium might be the most seamless and reliable way to get rid of ads on YouTube, it doesn’t change how many ads you see elsewhere on the internet. If you’re sick of being tracked and targeted, get Norton 360 Deluxe for a suite of tools that can boost your online privacy and security, including a browser-based VPN extension with a built-in ad blocker.

FAQs

Can I watch YouTube without any ads?

Yes, you can watch YouTube without ads by getting a YouTube Premium subscription. Other methods, like using an ad-blocker, may also work. However, they are not always compliant with YouTube’s terms of service and might result in you experiencing content access issues.

How much does YouTube Premium cost?

As of 2026, a premium YouTube student plan costs $8.99/month, an individual plan costs $15.99/month, and a family plan costs $26.99/month in the U.S. There is also a Premium Lite tier of YouTube Premium which costs $8.99/month and removes videos from most ads, but doesn’t include YouTube Music access.

Are personalized ads bad?

Personalized ads aren’t inherently bad, but some users find them intrusive based on the fact that they use data collected from your activity across Google services and partner sites to create unique targeting. If you’re uncomfortable with that level of data tracking and profiling, disabling personalized ads and using a privacy app that blocks advertising trackers can help.

Why does YouTube have so many ads?

Ads are one of YouTube’s main revenue streams, and a large part of the reason that the service can be provided for free. The company uses ad revenue to cover server costs, develop new features, pay employees, and even pay the creators who make the videos.