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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 assist you in this situation is called a VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network (VPN). Think of a VPN as a secret tunnel through the internet. It encrypts your online activity and makes it seem like you're accessing the web from a alternate 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 unable to access.

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

Now, there's one note: you'll need to have the permission 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 admin rights or if there's a way to get 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 offering a privacy-oriented and streamlined way to view and view YouTube videos. It serves as a proxy between users and YouTube, which implies it can minimize tracking and ads while enabling you to watch content. The main aims of Invidious are to improve user privacy, reduce 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 locate videos, watch them, and even use 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 maintained by the community and can be altered or hosted autonomously by different individuals or organizations.

Unblocking YouTube On Android using Free DNS Servers

What Are DNS Servers?

Think of you need to locate a friend's home, but you only know their identity, not their location. You’d probably ask someone who knows where they live, right?

In the online world, DNS servers (Domain Name System servers) are like those helpful friends. When you type a website's address (like www.example.com) into your web browser, DNS servers convert that name into an IP address (a set of numbers) that your computer can understand and use to access the website.

How Changing DNS Servers Can Help Bypass Censorship

Sometimes, some websites might be blocked by your ISP or your school's authorities. They do this by forcing your DNS queries (requests to access a website) go through servers that either send them.

Here's how changing your DNS servers can assist:

Different DNS Servers: By switching to a different DNS server (like Google's public DNS or Cloudflare's DNS), you might avoid these restrictions. These alternative servers might not have the same restrictions or might not block YouTube on Android.
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.

There exist several free DNS providers. These instructions demonstrate how to configure 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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