![Firefox kwa Android logo](https://assets-prod.sumo.prod.webservices.mozgcp.net/media/uploads/products/2020-04-14-08-37-28-a0d9f0_1.png)
Viewing Youtube via firefox mobile/android
I run ff on both desktop and mobile. I watch youtube on both. On desktop, no problems. Add ons include adbock for youtube. On mobile, I can see the thumbnails but when I attempt to play the video, I get "invalid response recieved" error message.
I've disabled the adblocking software thinking that was causing the problem, but nope. No change.
Whats up? Is Youtube attempting to force us to use their mobile app rather than accessing it through a browser?
All Replies (13)
Hi
Do you have an example of a video where this happens?
No, it happens to any and every video I attempt to open.
I am able to open it by "cut and pasting" the video URL into a new tab but that's different than merely clicking and opening the video while on the video thumbnail page.
One other thing...
So I go to Youtube website (on my android running ff) and select the video I want to watch. I get the "Invalid Response Received" message. The URL of the video is showing in the address bar. I copy the URL and hit enter (with that URL still residing in the address bar box) and it goes to the video. Something is up with the request if it's made direct, but if it's copied back into the address box, it works. Weird.
Hi
Do you have any add-ons installed in Firefox for Android?
I've tried to see if it's an add on that's creating the conflict, so I disabled all of them. That didn't solve the issue.
Ad On's include: adblock adblock plus adblocker for youtube adblocker ultimate bypass paywalls clean disable HTML5 for autoplay enhancer for YouTube Epiverse Exify Firefox Lightbeam Ghostery adblocker Reddit Enhancement Swuite Fireshot uBlock Origin webmail adblocker
One other thing...
I access youtube from my moblle firefox brower, going to Youtube.com (and not m.youtube)
I attempt to open a video, and it redirects me to m.youtube/video name. It seems to figure out that I'm viewing it on mobile Firefox and not a desktop version.
Maybe that has something to do with it and Youtube is trying to get us to use the app when mobile rather than allowing the browser to access the regular youtube url?
If I attempt to use the firefox desktop version on my mobile device (by selecting it from the pulldown menu on the mobile browser) to access youtube, it still answers with m.youtube and the error message still appears.
Hi
To be able to install all of those add-ons in Firefox for Android, I am guessing that you re using the Nightly version.
In the menu, under Settings and Advanced, do you have Firefox for Android set to open links in apps?
Workaround would be nice. It's apparent that Youtube is forcing the mobile version and preventing any adblocking on the video urls.
No, I don't want it to open links in apps. That will just bypass any adblock software in ff
I just tried it on my phone. I have AdBlock installed. I set "Desktop mode", went to youtube.com, clicked on a thumbnail, and was able to successfully play it. When it asked to go to the app, I hit cancel and it stayed in the browser. I am not using the nightly version. AdBlock is the only add-on I'm using.
Thanks Peter.
I opened FF (on my mobile device) and checked on my add ons. For some reason they stopped syncing with my desktop. Mobile FF doesn't show which add ons' are loaded, but does provide a list of "recommended" add ons, and adblock wasn't listed. So I just picked one that claimed to block ads (on YT), uBlock Origin, and loaded that. As you might guess, now the ads are blocked.
So thanks for the recommendation.
If you have that option deselected, YouTube will open in and can be played in Firefox for Android .