Google marks YouTube Vanced as malware through Play Protect

YouTube Vanced is now part of the history of the Android platform, with Google successfully managing to block the app and legally ensure that it will not return to the internet. Now that the official source for downloading ads that block ads and allow you to use YouTube with premium features without having to pay a subscription fee, Google is also trying to persuade users who are still able to find YouTube Vanced installation packages not to do so via Play Protect software.

Google makes installing YouTube Vanced more complicated

Google Play Protect is a security system designed to protect users from malware. It has a database of risky or compromised applications and tries to block their installation with warning messages. Of course, when it comes to the Android platform, users can refuse this “protection”. Google previously branded AnTuTu, a performance testing application, as “dangerous” for spying on users, and now Vanced Manager, YouTube’s Vanced installation application, has been added to the database.

Thus, if you try to install Vanced Manager version 2.6.0 now, after the application has disappeared from the internet, Play Protect will let you know that this application is trying to bypass Android security systems, so it is dangerous. Also, if you have the app installed, Google will notify you to uninstall it. Interestingly, however, Vanced Manager version 2.6.2 does not currently have these issues.

However, it’s unclear if Google is telling the truth when it warns users of these security issues, or if it’s just trying to block the app from being used again, now that it can only be easily installed by those who still own the APK or download from unofficial sources. What is certain is that the fight against YouTube Vanced is won by YouTube, and until such a good solution emerges, users who do not want to pay premium subscriptions will have to resort to the few alternatives still available.

source: Android Police