Warning: Before proceeding, understand that older app versions may lack modern features (like advanced editing tools or new UI changes) and may contain unpatched security vulnerabilities. Proceed at your own risk.
Install & Disable Auto-Updates
Q: Can I get my data from the APK version?
A: Yes, your watch history, subscriptions, and playlists are tied to your Google account, not the app version.
Q: Does YouTube 16.29.36 support dark mode on 5.1.1?
A: Yes. Open YouTube > Settings > General > Dark theme > On.
Q: What about YouTube Music?
A: The YouTube Music APK requires Android 6.0+. You cannot run the official Music app on 5.1.1. Use the web version instead.
Q: I installed it, but there are no ads. Is that normal?
A: No. If you have no ads, you may have accidentally installed a modified APK (like Vanced). Delete it and install the real version from APKMirror to avoid account bans. youtube apk android 511
Have a question about YouTube APK on Android 5.1.1? Leave a comment below (or watch our companion video on the YouTube web app).
While modern versions of the YouTube app (v21.x+) require Android 9.0 or higher, you can still run YouTube on Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) by using specific older APK versions or alternative methods. 1. Recommended APK Versions for Android 5.1.1
The last officially compatible YouTube versions for Android 5.0 and 5.1 are generally from the v14.x to v15.x branches.
YouTube v15.22.35: This is one of the latest versions known to support the Android 5.0+ API.
YouTube v13.25.56: A highly stable legacy version often used for older hardware. Install & Disable Auto-Updates
Source: You can find these on APKMirror by filtering for "Android 5.0+" compatibility. 2. Feature: Background Play & Ad-Blocking (Alternatives)
Since the official legacy apps may lack modern features or stop working due to server-side changes, many users on older Android versions turn to "Lite" or modified clients:
NewPipe: A lightweight, open-source alternative that works on older devices. It provides background play and video downloads without requiring Google Play Services.
YouTube Web: Using a browser like Chrome or Firefox to access YouTube.com is often the most reliable "feature" for Android 5.1.1, as it bypasses app compatibility blocks. 3. Essential Troubleshooting for 5.1.1 If the app installs but fails to load videos:
Clear Cache/Data: Go to Settings > Apps > YouTube > Storage and select "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data" to reset the app state. Q: Can I get my data from the APK version
New Permissions: For versions around v12.13, you must manually accept new app permissions to restore functionality.
MicroG: If using modified APKs, you typically need to install MicroG to allow the app to sign into your Google account on older firmware. Summary of Legacy Compatibility Version Type Recommended Version Key Status Official Legacy YouTube v15.22.35 May show "Update Required" Stable Legacy YouTube v13.25.56 High compatibility for Lollipop Alternative Best for performance & background play Download YouTube APKs for Android - APKMirror
27 Jun 2019 — Download YouTube APKs for Android - APKMirror. APKMirror
Update the YouTube app for Android 5.0 and 5.1 - Google Help
After opening YouTube, go to the Play Store. Search for YouTube. You will still see the incompatible message, but if you have auto-update enabled over Wi-Fi, it may attempt to update the sideloaded APK to a newer version that will crash. To prevent this: