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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 help you in this situation is called a VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network. Think of a VPN as a hidden tunnel through the internet. It protects your online activity and makes it seem like you're accessing the web from a new location. This way, it can overcome the restrictions set by your school and grant you access to sites like YouTube that you might otherwise be unable to access.

One VPN I'd like to advise is ProtonVPN. They have a free version that might be perfect for you. It's a powerful tool because it respects your privacy - no logs of your activity, unlimited speed, and it can overcome censorship without a hitch. Plus, it works under Swiss privacy laws, which are among the most robust globally. The feeling of security this provides, knowing your data isn't being tracked, can be a modest but welcome relief amidst the tedium of school life.

Now, there's one catch: 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 the necessary permissions 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 emphasizes providing a privacy-oriented and lightweight way to navigate and watch YouTube videos. It functions as a proxy between users and YouTube, which means it can cut down on tracking and ads while allowing you to watch content. The main objectives of Invidious are to enhance user privacy, minimize data collection, and deliver a simpler user experience without the typical YouTube interface and advertisements.

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

Users can use Invidious to locate videos, watch them, and even get features like comments and playlists, all while keeping a degree of anonymity and cutting down on the amount of data shared with Google. Since it's an open-source project, it's community-driven and can be customized or hosted autonomously by different individuals or organizations.

Unblocking YouTube On Android using Free DNS Servers

What Are DNS Servers?

Imagine you need to find a friend's house, but you only know their name, not their location. You’d probably ask someone who is aware of where they live, right?

In the online world, DNS servers (Domain Name System servers) are similar to those knowledgeable people. When you enter a website's name (like www.example.com) into your web browser, DNS servers convert that name into an IP address (a numeric address) that your computer can recognize and use to access the website.

How Changing DNS Servers Can Help Bypass Censorship

Sometimes, some websites might be restricted by your ISP or your school. 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 help:

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 allow access to the website you wish to access.
Accessing Restricted Sites: If a particular DNS server is known for not blocking certain websites, using that server can assist you get around the restrictions imposed by your school.

There are many free DNS providers. The following steps show how to set up OpenDNS, though you can replace the IP addresses using alternative options 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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