Tired of those pesky ads interrupting your YouTube binge on Apple TV? You're not alone! We've all been there, right? You're finally settling in to watch that perfect video, and BAM! An ad pops up. Ugh. But don't worry, guys, there are actually some pretty slick ways to enjoy YouTube on your Apple TV without having to sit through endless commercials. Let's dive into the best methods to get that ad-free experience you crave. I will give you some tips and tricks, so that you can use your Apple TV with ad-free Youtube. Remember that viewing experience is important, so, you should not skip this article. It is comprehensive and easy to understand.

1. YouTube Premium: The Official Ad-Free Route

Let's start with the most straightforward method: YouTube Premium. Yeah, it costs a bit of money, but it's the official way to ditch those ads across all your devices, including your Apple TV. Think of it as an investment in your sanity! When you subscribe to YouTube Premium, you're not just getting rid of ads; you're also supporting the content creators you love. Plus, you unlock other cool features like background playback on your mobile devices (perfect for listening to podcasts or music) and the ability to download videos for offline viewing. Seriously, that download feature is a lifesaver for long flights or commutes. Getting YouTube Premium is really simple, just follow these steps:

1. Sign Up: Head over to the YouTube Premium website on your computer or mobile device and sign up for a subscription.
2. Log In: Make sure you're logged in to the same Google account on your Apple TV's YouTube app.
3. Enjoy: That's it! Say goodbye to ads and hello to uninterrupted viewing. YouTube Premium usually has a free trial, so, if you are unsure about paying, then, you can use the free trial first, so that you will know whether you need it or not. Do not worry about the payment method, it is simple to set up and easy to cancel anytime. The best part is, YouTube Premium is applicable to other platforms, so, you can enjoy the features on your phone, your computer, and your tablet. This is indeed the best option for families, because you only need to pay once and everyone can enjoy the benefits!

2. Using a DNS Server to Block Ads

Okay, so maybe you're not thrilled about paying for YouTube Premium. No problem! There are other options. One popular method involves using a custom DNS (Domain Name System) server to block ads network-wide. This means you'll not only block YouTube ads on your Apple TV, but also ads in other apps and websites on your network. This is a more technical approach, but don't worry, I'll walk you through it. There are many free DNS server that you can use, such as AdGuard DNS, Cloudflare, Quad9, etc. Here are the steps on how you can set up your Apple TV to use custom DNS server:

1. Find a Reliable DNS Server: Research and choose a DNS server that offers ad-blocking features. AdGuard DNS and NextDNS are popular choices.
2. Access Apple TV Settings: On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet, if you're using a wired connection).
3. Configure DNS: Select your network, then choose "Configure DNS" and set it to "Manual".
4. Enter DNS Server Addresses: Enter the primary and secondary DNS server addresses provided by your chosen DNS service. For example, AdGuard DNS uses 176.103.130.130 and 176.103.130.131.
5. Restart Apple TV: Restart your Apple TV to apply the changes. Once your Apple TV restarts, it will use the new DNS server, which will block many of the ads you would normally see on YouTube. However, keep in mind that this method isn't foolproof. YouTube is constantly updating its ad delivery methods, so some ads might still slip through. Also, using a third-party DNS server means you're trusting them with your DNS queries, so choose a reputable provider.

3. Third-Party Apps: A Risky but Sometimes Rewarding Option

Now, let's talk about third-party apps. There are some apps available that claim to offer an ad-free YouTube experience. However, I need to give you a big warning here: these apps often come with risks. They might violate YouTube's terms of service, which could lead to your account being suspended. Plus, some of these apps might contain malware or track your data. So, proceed with extreme caution. If you're feeling adventurous and want to explore this option, do your research. Read reviews, check the app developer's reputation, and make sure you're downloading from a trusted source. And, of course, be prepared for the possibility that the app might stop working at any time if YouTube changes something on their end. There are some popular apps that you can use, such as:

• Yattee: Yattee is an open source YouTube player for iOS and tvOS. Yattee is written in Swift and uses the official YouTube iFrame API.
• VLC Media Player: VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.

Using a third party app might be risky because most of the free apps contains ads. So, you need to be wise in choosing these apps.

4. Using a VPN with Ad-Blocking Features

Another option to consider is using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) that has built-in ad-blocking features. Some VPNs offer this as part of their service, routing your traffic through their servers and stripping out ads along the way. This can be a good solution if you're already using a VPN for privacy or security reasons. To set it up, you'll need to find a VPN provider that offers ad-blocking, install their app on your router (if supported) or configure your Apple TV to connect to the VPN, and then enable the ad-blocking feature in the VPN settings. Keep in mind that using a VPN can sometimes slow down your internet speed, so you might need to experiment with different VPN servers to find one that gives you the best performance. Also, like with DNS servers, you're trusting your VPN provider with your data, so choose a reputable one. VPN is an excellent method to hide your real IP address, so that you can watch YouTube TV without any restrictions. Here are the steps to use a VPN:

1. Subscribe to a VPN Service: Sign up for a VPN service that offers ad-blocking features and supports Apple TV.
2. Configure VPN on Router or Apple TV: Depending on your VPN provider, you can either configure the VPN directly on your router (if it supports VPN connections) or install a VPN app on your Apple TV.
3. Enable Ad-Blocking: In the VPN settings, enable the ad-blocking feature.
4. Connect to VPN: Connect to a VPN server. Choose a server location that provides good speed and reliability.

5. Mirroring from an Ad-Free Browser on Another Device

This is a bit of a workaround, but it can be effective. You can use an ad-free browser (like Brave or Firefox with an ad-blocking extension) on your computer or mobile device and then mirror your screen to your Apple TV using AirPlay. This way, you're watching YouTube through the ad-free browser, and the Apple TV is just acting as a display. The downside is that it requires you to have another device running and connected to the same network. Plus, the video quality might not be as good as watching directly on the Apple TV. But if you're in a pinch, it's a viable option. It is simple to set up and use, just follow these steps:

1. Install Ad-Free Browser: Install an ad-free browser (e.g., Brave) or a browser with ad-blocking extensions (e.g., Firefox with AdBlock) on your computer or mobile device.
2. Open YouTube: Open YouTube in the ad-free browser.
3. Start AirPlay Mirroring: On your computer or mobile device, start AirPlay mirroring and select your Apple TV as the destination.
4. Play YouTube Video: Play the YouTube video in the ad-free browser. The video will be mirrored to your Apple TV without ads.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – several ways to enjoy YouTube on your Apple TV without those annoying ads. Whether you choose the official route with YouTube Premium, get technical with a DNS server, explore third-party apps (with caution!), use a VPN, or mirror from an ad-free browser, there's a solution for everyone. Just remember to weigh the pros and cons of each method and choose the one that best fits your needs and technical abilities. Happy ad-free viewing, guys! Enjoy watching YouTube!