YTDLnis

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YouTube ​

YouTube changes its systems often, which is the most common reason downloads fail. This page explains the settings that exist for it.

First of all, make sure yt-dlp is up to date. Most of the time that is enough.

Data fetching ​

In More -> Settings -> General under YouTube:

  • Data fetching extractor (YouTube): yt-dlp or NewPipe. NewPipe is faster for searching, and yt-dlp is more compatible. If the app crashes while searching, choose yt-dlp.
  • Formats source: where the formats of a video come from, yt-dlp or NewPipe.
  • Use item URL instead of playlist URL: downloads the item directly instead of through the playlist. The playlist metadata won't be embedded.

Player client ​

More -> Settings -> Advanced

yt-dlp talks to YouTube pretending to be a certain client (web, android, ios, tv, mweb and others). Each client offers different formats and has different restrictions. You can add the clients you want yt-dlp to use, and for each you can attach PO tokens (GVS, Player and Subs), limit it to URLs that match a regular expression, and turn on Use only PO token to ignore the player client and only send the token.

If one client stops working, try changing to another. Videos that need a login work best with cookies and a web client.

You can pass any other YouTube extractor arguments in Other YouTube extractor arguments, for example player_skip=webpage.

PO tokens ​

A PO (proof of origin) token is something YouTube asks from clients to prove they are a real app. Without it some formats may be missing or return an error.

There are two ways to deal with it:

Manual PO tokens ​

More -> Settings -> Advanced

The app opens a web view where you sign in to your Google account and play a video with auto-translated subtitles. The app picks up the Visitor Data, and the PO Token for GVS (the video stream), the player and subtitles. They are then provided to yt-dlp for the clients you set them for. You can regenerate them if they expire.

WARNING

Manual PO tokens are for use without cookies. Turn off cookies when using them.

Automatic provider (BgUtils) ​

The app can host a PO token generator for yt-dlp using the bgutil provider. It needs a JS runtime from Packages and installs the yt-dlp plugin by itself. You can choose how tokens are generated:

  • HTTP Server: a small JavaScript server runs on port 4416. The app starts it when the download queue begins or an observe source runs, and it stays on until you shut it down from its notification. Best if you download a lot.
  • Generation script: a new process is started on every yt-dlp call. Simpler, but slower and not recommended for many concurrent downloads.

Cookies on YouTube ​

Cookies unlock members only videos, age restricted content and the better audio of YouTube Music. See Cookies.

Language and dubbed audio ​

Use app language for metadata in More -> Settings -> Advanced makes the titles and descriptions follow your app language and prefers the dubbed audio track in that language when available. Otherwise the original is used. You can also set Preferred audio language in the processing settings.

Live streams and premieres ​

In the video tab of the Download Card you can record a live stream from the start, or wait until a scheduled stream goes live.

See the FAQ about YouTube Music audio quality (128kbps, 256kbps) and why there is no mp3 on YouTube.