Vinegar - Tube Cleaner
Better video player
$1.99
2.7.1for iPhone, iPad and more
Age Rating
Vinegar - Tube Cleaner Screenshots
About Vinegar - Tube Cleaner
Vinegar is a Safari extension that replaces the YouTube player with a minimal HTML video tag.
It removes ads, restores picture-in-picture, and allows videos to play in the background when set to audio-only quality.
Note: The phrase 'can read and alter webpages' in the permissions section is just an unfortunate choice of words. Vinegar needs access to the webpage to find the YouTube player and replace it. It's not doing anything creepy!
(Also, do check out Vinegar's companion app, Baking Soda. It's essentially a less powerful version of Vinegar, but it works on all websites except YouTube.)
It removes ads, restores picture-in-picture, and allows videos to play in the background when set to audio-only quality.
Note: The phrase 'can read and alter webpages' in the permissions section is just an unfortunate choice of words. Vinegar needs access to the webpage to find the YouTube player and replace it. It's not doing anything creepy!
(Also, do check out Vinegar's companion app, Baking Soda. It's essentially a less powerful version of Vinegar, but it works on all websites except YouTube.)
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What's New in the Latest Version 2.7.1
Last updated on Dec 1, 2023
Old Versions
New in 2.7.1:
- (iPhone-only) If Vinegar runs into a problem, it will switch back to the YouTube video.
New in 2.7.0:
This update is only for the iPad.
I've rewritten a significant portion of the iPad extension to better handle YouTube's recent changes. The new code is based on the 2.8.0 version for Mac.
While I've done my best to ensure everything works smoothly, there might be some unexpected behavior. (This is because YouTube is a very big website and everyone uses it differently.)
If you run into any issues, feel free to send me an email or find me on Mastodon.
- (iPhone-only) If Vinegar runs into a problem, it will switch back to the YouTube video.
New in 2.7.0:
This update is only for the iPad.
I've rewritten a significant portion of the iPad extension to better handle YouTube's recent changes. The new code is based on the 2.8.0 version for Mac.
While I've done my best to ensure everything works smoothly, there might be some unexpected behavior. (This is because YouTube is a very big website and everyone uses it differently.)
If you run into any issues, feel free to send me an email or find me on Mastodon.
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Version History
2.7.1
Dec 1, 2023
New in 2.7.1:
- (iPhone-only) If Vinegar runs into a problem, it will switch back to the YouTube video.
New in 2.7.0:
This update is only for the iPad.
I've rewritten a significant portion of the iPad extension to better handle YouTube's recent changes. The new code is based on the 2.8.0 version for Mac.
While I've done my best to ensure everything works smoothly, there might be some unexpected behavior. (This is because YouTube is a very big website and everyone uses it differently.)
If you run into any issues, feel free to send me an email or find me on Mastodon.
- (iPhone-only) If Vinegar runs into a problem, it will switch back to the YouTube video.
New in 2.7.0:
This update is only for the iPad.
I've rewritten a significant portion of the iPad extension to better handle YouTube's recent changes. The new code is based on the 2.8.0 version for Mac.
While I've done my best to ensure everything works smoothly, there might be some unexpected behavior. (This is because YouTube is a very big website and everyone uses it differently.)
If you run into any issues, feel free to send me an email or find me on Mastodon.
2.7.0
Nov 27, 2023
This update is only for the iPad.
I've rewritten a significant portion of the iPad extension to better handle YouTube's recent changes. The new code is based on the 2.8.0 version for Mac.
While I've done my best to ensure everything works smoothly, there might be some unexpected behavior. (This is because YouTube is a very big website and everyone uses it differently.)
If you run into any issues, feel free to send me an email or find me on Mastodon.
I've rewritten a significant portion of the iPad extension to better handle YouTube's recent changes. The new code is based on the 2.8.0 version for Mac.
While I've done my best to ensure everything works smoothly, there might be some unexpected behavior. (This is because YouTube is a very big website and everyone uses it differently.)
If you run into any issues, feel free to send me an email or find me on Mastodon.
2.6.11
Nov 12, 2023
- (iPhone-only) The AirPlay workaround will now only be used when AirPlay compatibility mode is turned on. This is to avoid issues with fast-forwarding when the video quality is set to Auto.
2.6.10
Nov 6, 2023
- (iPad-only) The ad-skipping feature has been slowed down more, to prevent videos from getting stuck if they load too slowly.
2.6.9
Nov 1, 2023
- (iPad-only) Made the ad-skipping experience slightly better in fullscreen mode.
- (iPhone-only) Fixed an issue where some videos wouldn't load without refreshing the page.
Note: I'm waiting for the 2.7.X version for Mac to get more stable. After that, I'll port it to the iPad.
- (iPhone-only) Fixed an issue where some videos wouldn't load without refreshing the page.
Note: I'm waiting for the 2.7.X version for Mac to get more stable. After that, I'll port it to the iPad.
2.6.8
Oct 31, 2023
- (iPad-only) The ad-skipping feature has been slowed down by 0.3 seconds to improve reliability on older iPads.
2.6.7
Oct 30, 2023
- (iPad-only) Fixed the "Show quality switcher toolbar" feature. If you hide the toolbar, the video player will now have rounded corners.
- (iPad-only) Removed the "Switch to ad skipping" option. Ad-skipping is now the default. This change is due to the ongoing challenges with YouTube.
- (iPhone-only) Restored the ability to use AirPlay for videos, which was disabled by YouTube in iOS 17.1.
- (iPad-only) Removed the "Switch to ad skipping" option. Ad-skipping is now the default. This change is due to the ongoing challenges with YouTube.
- (iPhone-only) Restored the ability to use AirPlay for videos, which was disabled by YouTube in iOS 17.1.
2.6.6
Oct 19, 2023
- (iPad-only) This update includes a workaround to better handle YouTube's recent changes.
I'm also working on a more permanent solution. Stay tuned.
I'm also working on a more permanent solution. Stay tuned.
2.6.5
Oct 17, 2023
- The "Switch to ad skipping" option has been added back.
2.6.4
Oct 17, 2023
- The "Switch to ad skipping" option has been temporarily removed and will be reintroduced in a future update.
- Vinegar now makes fewer network requests.
- Vinegar now makes fewer network requests.
2.6.3
Oct 16, 2023
- Made videos play (even) smoother and with (even) fewer breaks.
New in 2.6.0:
- Added “Switch to Ad Skipping”: a new setting that allows ads but tries to skip them, useful when ad blocking doesn’t work as expected.
- (iPhone-only) Video resolution now supports up to 4K.
- (iPhone-only) AirPlay Compatibility Mode now enables up to 4K streaming for ‘Auto’ mode during AirPlay, up from the previous 1080p.
New in 2.6.0:
- Added “Switch to Ad Skipping”: a new setting that allows ads but tries to skip them, useful when ad blocking doesn’t work as expected.
- (iPhone-only) Video resolution now supports up to 4K.
- (iPhone-only) AirPlay Compatibility Mode now enables up to 4K streaming for ‘Auto’ mode during AirPlay, up from the previous 1080p.
2.6.2
Oct 13, 2023
- Made videos play smoother and with fewer breaks.
New in 2.6.0:
- Added “Switch to Ad Skipping”: a new setting that allows ads but tries to skip them, useful when ad blocking doesn’t work as expected.
- (iPhone-only) Video resolution now supports up to 4K.
- (iPhone-only) AirPlay Compatibility Mode now enables up to 4K streaming for ‘Auto’ mode during AirPlay, up from the previous 1080p.
New in 2.6.0:
- Added “Switch to Ad Skipping”: a new setting that allows ads but tries to skip them, useful when ad blocking doesn’t work as expected.
- (iPhone-only) Video resolution now supports up to 4K.
- (iPhone-only) AirPlay Compatibility Mode now enables up to 4K streaming for ‘Auto’ mode during AirPlay, up from the previous 1080p.
2.6.1
Oct 12, 2023
- (iPhone-only) Hide video until it's ready to prevent accidental clicks.
New in 2.6.0:
- Added “Switch to Ad Skipping”: a new setting that allows ads but tries to skip them, useful when ad blocking doesn’t work as expected.
- (iPhone-only) Video resolution now supports up to 4K.
- (iPhone-only) AirPlay Compatibility Mode now enables up to 4K streaming for ‘Auto’ mode during AirPlay, up from the previous 1080p.
New in 2.6.0:
- Added “Switch to Ad Skipping”: a new setting that allows ads but tries to skip them, useful when ad blocking doesn’t work as expected.
- (iPhone-only) Video resolution now supports up to 4K.
- (iPhone-only) AirPlay Compatibility Mode now enables up to 4K streaming for ‘Auto’ mode during AirPlay, up from the previous 1080p.
2.6.0
Oct 9, 2023
- Added “Switch to Ad Skipping”: a new setting that allows ads but tries to skip them, useful when ad blocking doesn’t work as expected.
- (iPhone-only) Video resolution now supports up to 4K.
- (iPhone-only) AirPlay Compatibility Mode now enables up to 4K streaming for ‘Auto’ mode during AirPlay, up from the previous 1080p.
- (iPhone-only) Video resolution now supports up to 4K.
- (iPhone-only) AirPlay Compatibility Mode now enables up to 4K streaming for ‘Auto’ mode during AirPlay, up from the previous 1080p.
2.5.9
Oct 2, 2023
- The quality switcher toolbar should show up more reliably.
2.5.8
Sep 28, 2023
- Restored support for custom subtitle background color settings.
- Vinegar no longer attempt to set the default playback speed if the playback speed is more than 2x.
- (iPhone-only) Expanded availability of 1080p option for videos.
- (iPhone-only) Optimized video loading for 'Best' and 'Audio-only' quality settings.
- Enhanced overall stability.
- Vinegar no longer attempt to set the default playback speed if the playback speed is more than 2x.
- (iPhone-only) Expanded availability of 1080p option for videos.
- (iPhone-only) Optimized video loading for 'Best' and 'Audio-only' quality settings.
- Enhanced overall stability.
2.5.6
Sep 5, 2023
- Changing the playback speed will now automatically update the default playback speed.
- Auto-generated subtitles now look more like regular subtitles.
- (iPad-only) Video previews on homepage and search results page are now non-interactable.
(If you notice any strange problems after updating, try force-quitting Safari and reopening it.)
- Auto-generated subtitles now look more like regular subtitles.
- (iPad-only) Video previews on homepage and search results page are now non-interactable.
(If you notice any strange problems after updating, try force-quitting Safari and reopening it.)
2.5.5
Aug 28, 2023
- (iPhone-only) Restored video subtitles functionality.
2.5.4
Aug 25, 2023
- (iPhone-only) Improved the reliability of the quality switcher button.
- (iPhone-only) Fixed a bug related to YouTube's new video preview styling.
- (iPad-only) Restored visibility of Vinegar toolbar after YouTube's latest layout update with rounded corners.
- (iPhone-only) Fixed a bug related to YouTube's new video preview styling.
- (iPad-only) Restored visibility of Vinegar toolbar after YouTube's latest layout update with rounded corners.
2.5.3
Aug 21, 2023
- (iPhone-only) Safari's default video controls should no longer show up for YouTube Shorts.
- (iPad-only) Updated the position of the toolbar buttons in theater mode, again.
Known issue: the quality switcher button sometimes doesn't work. This is caused by a recent updates made by YouTube to their video player UI. I'm working on fixing it in the next update.
- (iPad-only) Updated the position of the toolbar buttons in theater mode, again.
Known issue: the quality switcher button sometimes doesn't work. This is caused by a recent updates made by YouTube to their video player UI. I'm working on fixing it in the next update.
2.5.2
Aug 14, 2023
- (iPhone-only) Fixed the flashing black screen in landscape orientation.
2.5.1
Aug 7, 2023
- (iPhone-only) Removed the autoplaying video previews on the homepage.
2.5.0
Jul 26, 2023
- (iPad-only) Command+C no longer triggers subtitles.
- (iPad-only) Updated the position of the toolbar buttons in theater mode.
- (iPad-only) The black screen should no longer show up when you enter fullscreen with the "unpinch" gesture.
- (iPad-only) Updated the position of the toolbar buttons in theater mode.
- (iPad-only) The black screen should no longer show up when you enter fullscreen with the "unpinch" gesture.
2.4.2
Sep 27, 2022
This is an iPhone-only update.
- Reverted the AirPlay-related changes in version 2.4.1.
- Added an option to turn on AirPlay compatibility mode in the settings. When AirPlay compatibility mode is turned on, the 1080p video becomes an AirPlay-able adaptive bitrate stream. The downside is the video quality will be lower initially and go back to 1080p eventually.
- Reverted the AirPlay-related changes in version 2.4.1.
- Added an option to turn on AirPlay compatibility mode in the settings. When AirPlay compatibility mode is turned on, the 1080p video becomes an AirPlay-able adaptive bitrate stream. The downside is the video quality will be lower initially and go back to 1080p eventually.
2.4.1
Sep 25, 2022
- (iPhone-only) 1080p videos are now AirPlay-able.
- (iPad-only) Show the custom video controls for 360° videos.
- (iPad-only) The Miniplayer that pops up at the bottom-right corner of the webpage should be closable now.
- (iPad-only) Excluded studio.youtube.com from the Vinegar script.
- (iPad-only) Show the custom video controls for 360° videos.
- (iPad-only) The Miniplayer that pops up at the bottom-right corner of the webpage should be closable now.
- (iPad-only) Excluded studio.youtube.com from the Vinegar script.
Vinegar - Tube Cleaner FAQ
Click here to learn how to download Vinegar - Tube Cleaner in restricted country or region.
Check the following list to see the minimum requirements of Vinegar - Tube Cleaner.
iPhone
Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
iPad
Requires iPadOS 15.0 or later.
Mac
Requires macOS 10.15 or later.
iPod touch
Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
Vinegar - Tube Cleaner supports English
