The latest YouTube app requires Android 9.0 (Pie) or higher.
: Google cut off backend support for legacy client versions to maintain security and performance.
: This is one of the latest versions known to support the Android 5.0+ API.
: Another widely cited stable release for the Lollipop API level.
: Generally considered the final stable version for Android 5.0+. However, it may require manual "version spoofing" to continue connecting to YouTube's servers. Official YouTube 14.21.54 youtube apk android 511
Recommend: APKMirror (owned by Illogical Robot, verified signatures). Search term: “YouTube 17.09.37 APK”
: Specifically designed for low-end devices and older Android versions. It uses less storage and works well on slow networks.
In an era where smartphones boast 200-megapixel cameras and foldable screens, it is easy to forget that billions of devices are still running on older operating systems. Android 5.1.1, codenamed "Lollipop," was released in 2015. It was a pivotal moment for Google, marking the transition to the "Material Design" era. But in 2024, running a modern app like YouTube on a device stuck on Android 5.1.1 has become a digital game of cat and mouse—a quest that leads many users to search for the elusive "YouTube APK."
If you choose to use an older APK, the following were the last major versions to support the Lollipop API (API 21): Official YouTube 16.40.36 The latest YouTube app requires Android 9
: Android 5.1.1 corresponds exactly to API Level 22.
If you have a broken or pre-installed YouTube app, go to Settings > Apps > YouTube and try to "Uninstall updates" or disable it to revert to a base version.
Since you cannot download the modern YouTube app from the Play Store, your only reliable option is to manually install an older, compatible APK (Android Package Kit). You need a version of YouTube that was released when Lollipop was still supported—specifically, versions from late 2020 or early 2021.
Google requires newer API levels to run its modern apps securely and efficiently. Because of this, the official servers now block older app versions from connecting, resulting in connection errors, infinite loading screens, or "Update Required" loops that cannot be bypassed through the Play Store. Method 1: Install the Last Compatible Official YouTube APK : Another widely cited stable release for the
While the main branch of NewPipe has moved on to newer Android versions, the developers maintain a legacy repository specifically for older versions of Android.
Tap on the downloaded com.google.android.youtube...apk file. Review the permissions and tap . Once complete, tap Open .
Android 5.1.1 Lollipop was released in 2015. Over the last decade, mobile operating systems and web architectures have evolved significantly.