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How To Unblock YouTube At School On Android

Part of the Mega Guide: How To Unblock Anything At School

Unblocking YouTube on Android using a VPN

The tool that can aid you in this situation is called a VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network (VPN). Think of a VPN as a hidden tunnel through the internet. It encrypts your online activity and makes it seem like you're accessing the web from a new location. This way, it can bypass the restrictions set by your school and give you access to sites like YouTube that you might otherwise be restricted from.

One VPN I'd like to suggest is ProtonVPN. They provide a free version that might be just what you need. It's a effective tool because it values your privacy - no logs of your activity, no speed limits, and it can circumvent censorship without a hitch. Plus, it functions under Swiss privacy laws, which are among the most robust globally. The assurance of security this provides, knowing your data isn't being tracked, can be a small but comforting relief amidst the tedium of school life.

Now, there's one caveat: you'll need to have the ability to install software on your device. If you're using a school-issued computer or tablet, this might be a challenge. In such cases, check if you have administrative rights or if there's a way to obtain them. If you're using a personal device, the process is much easier.

To install ProtonVPN, simply go to the app store on your device and search for ProtonVPN. Download the app - it's free. Once it's installed, open the app, and follow the setup instructions. You'll be able to connect to their servers and start browsing as if you're anywhere other than the confines of your school's network.

The free version of ProtonVPN is quite generous, but if you find you need more features - such as faster speeds or access to more servers - you can consider upgrading to the paid version. If you choose to use our affiliate link, we'll earn a small commission, but more importantly, you'll get a tool that might just make those long school days a little more bearable.

Other ways to unblock YouTube on Android

Using Invidious

Invidious is an alternative front-end to YouTube that concentrates on providing a more privacy-conscious and lightweight way to navigate and stream YouTube videos. It acts as a proxy between users and YouTube, which means it can help reduce tracking and ads while allowing you to watch content. The main aims of Invidious are to boost user privacy, limit data collection, and deliver a more streamlined user experience without the standard YouTube interface and advertisements.

The various Invidious instances should work in the browser of any device.

Users can utilize Invidious to search for videos, stream them, and even get features like comments and playlists, all while preserving a degree of anonymity and reducing the amount of data shared with Google. Since it's an open-source project, it's driven by the community and can be altered or hosted autonomously by different users or organizations.

Unblocking YouTube On Android using Free DNS Servers

What Are DNS Servers?

Think of you want to locate a friend's house, but you just know their identity, not their address. You’d probably ask someone who knows where they reside, right?

In the internet world, DNS servers (Domain Name System servers) are like those knowledgeable people. When you enter a website's name (like www.example.com) into your browser, DNS servers translate that name into an IP address (a set of numbers) that your computer can recognize and employ to access YouTube on Android.

How Changing DNS Servers Can Help Bypass Censorship

Sometimes, certain websites might be restricted by your ISP or your school's authorities. They do this by forcing your DNS queries (requests to find a website) pass through servers that either block or redirect them.

Here's how changing your DNS servers can assist:

Different DNS Servers: By changing to a different DNS server (like Google's public DNS or Cloudflare's DNS), you might bypass these restrictions. These other servers might not have the same exact restrictions or might allow access to the website you wish to visit.
Accessing Restricted Sites: If a particular DNS server is known for not blocking certain websites, using that server can help you get around the restrictions put in place by your school.

You can find many complimentary DNS providers. This guide demonstrate how to set up OpenDNS, but you are able to swap the IP addresses using any of the others if you would like to.

There is a big list of DNS servers here: https://public-dns.info/

Here are some of the popular ones:
Google: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1

How to Change DNS Settings on Android

Step 1: Open Settings

Access the Settings Menu:
- Locate the "Settings" app on your Android device. This app typically looks like a gear icon.
- Tap the "Settings" app to open it.

Step 2: Access Network Settings

Navigate to Network & Internet:
- In the Settings menu, find and tap on "Network & Internet" (the exact wording may vary depending on your device and Android version).
Select Wi-Fi:
- In the Network & Internet section, tap on "Wi-Fi" to view available wireless networks.

Step 3: Modify Wi-Fi Network Settings

Select Your Network:
- Find the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to and tap on it. If you are not connected to a Wi-Fi network, connect to one first.
Open Network Details:
- After tapping on your connected Wi-Fi network, look for an option to modify or manage the network settings. This is usually represented by a gear icon or three-dot menu (⋮). Tap on this to access more options.
Modify Network Settings:
- Tap on "Modify network" or "Advanced" (depending on your device, this option may be located in a submenu).

Step 4: Change DNS Settings

Switch to Static IP:
- In the network settings, look for "IP settings" or a similar option. It is typically set to "DHCP" by default.
- Change the setting from "DHCP" to "Static". This will allow you to manually enter DNS addresses.
Enter DNS Addresses:
- Scroll down to the "DNS 1" and "DNS 2" fields.
- In the "DNS 1" field, enter 208.67.222.222.
- In the "DNS 2" field, enter 208.67.220.220.
Save Your Changes:
- Tap "Save" or "Apply" to save your new DNS settings.

Step 5: Restart Your Connection (Optional)

To ensure the new DNS settings take effect, you might need to disconnect and then reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. You can do this by toggling the Wi-Fi switch off and then on again or by turning your device’s Wi-Fi off and then on.

Your Android device is now configured to use OpenDNS for the selected Wi-Fi network. This can help enhance your browsing security and performance. If you switch to a different Wi-Fi network, you will need to repeat these steps for each network where you want to use custom DNS settings.

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