SmartTube
Applicationyuliskov/SmartTube
Open-source media client for Android TV with SponsorBlock and 8K playback.
Overview
SmartTube is a free, open-source media client designed for Android TVs and TV boxes, offering a TV-optimized interface for browsing and playing content from public sources. It features SponsorBlock integration, adjustable playback speed, 8K and 60fps HDR playback, live chat, and customizable controls. It works without Google Services and supports older devices down to Android 4.3.
README Preview
[](https://f-droid.org/packages/app.smarttube.fdroid/)\r\n[](https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube/releases)\r\n\r\n# Important announcement about the app\r\n\r\nMy development environment was infected by unknown malicious software, as a result of which a few builds may have been affected. Once the issue was detected, I secured everything with a full disk wipe, restored a clean setup, and now all builds are scanned with VirusTotal. The F-Droid version will also be verified before release.\r\n\r\nPublic keys may have been compromised, which is why I am sharing this issue. You can download the new version and the new public key below, and instructions for restoring backups are provided.\r\n\r\nNo extra actions are required since the app uses **one-time connection codes**. These codes have very limited permissions (for example, they cannot change your password). Still, you can revoke them if you want full peace of mind.\r\n\r\n# How to revoke access:\r\n\r\n1. Open [myaccount.google.com/security](https://myaccount.google.com/security)\r\n2. Find **“Your connections to third-party apps & services”**\r\n3. Tap **“See all connection”** and locate **YouTube TV** or **Google Drive**\r\n4. Select the app → **“Remove access”**\r\n\r\nPlease keep built-in security features enabled to stay protected.\r\n\r\n# SmartTube\r\n \r\n -->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSmartTube is a free and open-source media client for Android TVs and TV boxes. It allows you to browse and play content from various public sources in a TV-optimized interface.\r\n\r\n### ✅ Features\r\n- Clean interface \r\n- SponsorBlock integration \r\n- Adjustable playback speed \r\n- 8K resolution support \r\n- 60fps playback \r\n- HDR compatibility \r\n- View live chat \r\n- Customizable buttons \r\n- Does not require Google Services \r\n- Helpful international community\r\n\r\n### ❌ Limitations\r\n- Not supported on phones and tablets \r\n- Comment functionality is unstable \r\n- Voice search and casting performance ma
FAQ (5)
TroubleshootingWhy does SmartTube keep buffering and pausing videos on Sony Bravia Android TV?
This is a known bug in SmartTube version 32.56 where videos repeatedly stop with a buffering spinner even though the official YouTube app plays fine. The issue is fixed in version 32.67. Update SmartTube to 32.67 or newer. You can install the fixed build directly: use the Downloader app with code 857152 (beta) or 403642 (stable), or download the APK from https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube/releases/download/latest/SmartTube_stable_testing.apk. Changing network engine, codec, resolution, or signing out does not fix this bug — updating the app is required.
TroubleshootingWhy is SmartTube skipping large parts of videos that have no ads, and how to disable it?
This is caused by SponsorBlock, the crowdsourced segment database SmartTube uses for ad skipping. Users manually submit skip segments, so segments can be incorrectly or abusively marked (e.g., non-ad content tagged as 'sponsor' or 'filler'), causing the app to skip over 50% of a video. SmartTube itself does not censor content — it just follows the community database. Workarounds: 1) Go to Settings → SponsorBlock and change category actions from automatic skip to 'show notification' or disable problematic categories (Sponsors, Filler/Tangent, Preview/Recap, Self-promotion). 2) Fully disable SponsorBlock in Settings → SponsorBlock if you prefer manual viewing. 3) For individual videos, open the player controls during playback and toggle off the SponsorBlock/content blocking option for that video. Skips are per-video based on submitted segments, which is why only specific videos (e.g., certain news content) are affected while others play normally.
TroubleshootingWhy doesn't a playlist created in SmartTube appear on other devices or in the YouTube app?
Playlists created inside SmartTube (long-press a video > Save in new playlist) are saved locally on the device and do not sync to your Google/YouTube account, so they won't show up on other TVs, Firesticks, or the official YouTube app. Workaround: create the playlist on YouTube's website (youtube.com) or the official YouTube app first, then use SmartTube to add videos to that existing playlist. Playlists created through YouTube directly sync and are visible across all devices.
TroubleshootingHow to fix missing 5.1 surround sound options (ec-3, ac-3) in SmartTube audio formats?
This is a regression in SmartTube 32.x (affects 32.47 Stable and 32.10 F-Droid) where the ec-3 and ac-3 5.1 surround audio formats no longer appear under HQ (Advanced playback settings) > Audio formats. Workaround: downgrade to SmartTube version 30.48, where the 5.1 surround format options are still available. Keep auto-update disabled until a fixed release is published.
TroubleshootingHow to fix dropped audio quality and lower volume in SmartTube on Android TV after an update?
A confirmed workaround is a clean reinstall with a rollback: 1) Completely uninstall SmartTube from your Android TV. 2) Install an older version (e.g., a build from March). 3) Update the app to the latest version (fixed for users on v27.99). Audio quality and volume return to normal after this. To help diagnose before downgrading, open the player and tap the Bug icon (detailed stream info) to check which audio track/codec you are receiving, then compare it with the track served by a previous version — differences here explain the quality loss. Note the issue is mainly audible on external HiFi/receiver setups (volume ~20-30% lower, loss of detail), not on built-in TV speakers.