PureStream for YouTubeGet the appGet the app
Download

PureStream for Android

PureStream is an Android app that sits on top of the YouTube app. It will be available to download here, straight from us.

Coming soon

The first Android release is coming soon

When it is out, the download will appear right here, with everything you need to check it is genuine. Follow the changelog to hear about it first, or come and say hello in the community.

Follow the changelog (RSS)Join the community

See what is coming in v1.0 →

Installing PureStream

Apps from outside Google Play take a few more taps to install. Here is what to expect on Android 13 to 16.

  1. Download the APK on your phone

    Once the first release is out, open this page on your Android phone and tap Download at the top. An APK is the file an Android app comes in. Your browser may warn that this type of file can harm your device. Choose to download it anyway: it comes straight from us, and you can check it is genuine.

  2. Let your browser install apps

    Open the file from the download notification, or from Downloads in your Files app. The first time, Android asks whether your browser may install apps. Tap Settings, turn on Allow from this source, then go back and tap Install.

    You can turn this off again afterwards. It is under Install unknown apps in your phone's Apps settings.

  3. If Google Play Protect steps in

    Play Protect checks apps that do not come from Google Play. PureStream is new to it, and it asks for Accessibility and Notification access, so you may see one of these:

    • An offer to scan the app. Go ahead. It takes a few seconds, then you can install.
    • A warning that Play Protect does not recognise the app or its developer. This is common for a new app from a website. If you downloaded PureStream from this page, open the details and choose Install anyway.
    • A message that the app was blocked to protect your device. In many countries, Google blocks apps that ask for Accessibility or Notification access when they are installed from a browser, a messaging app or a file manager. There is no way to continue from that message.

    Please do not turn Play Protect off to get around a warning. If you are blocked, email us at support@purestreamapp.com so we know. We are working on more ways to get PureStream to you.

  4. Allow restricted settings

    On Android 13 and later, an app installed from a browser cannot be given Accessibility or Notification access straight away. Newer versions may hold back Display over other apps too. If a switch is greyed out, or you see Restricted setting, do this once:

    1. Try to turn the permission on, so Android shows its Restricted setting message, and tap OK.
    2. Open Settings, then Apps, then PureStream. (Or press and hold the PureStream icon and tap App info.)
    3. Tap the menu (More options) in the top corner, then Allow restricted settings.
    4. Confirm with your PIN, pattern or fingerprint, then go back and turn the permission on.

    Allow restricted settings only appears in the menu after Android has shown the Restricted setting message at least once.

  5. Turn on the three permissions

    Open PureStream and turn on the three permissions it asks for. There is more on what each one is for below. Then open YouTube and play a video.

The three permissions

PureStream works on top of the YouTube app, so it needs a little more access than most apps. Here is what each permission is for.

  • Display over other apps

    Shows the chapter bubble on top of the YouTube app.

  • Accessibility service

    Detects which video is playing in the YouTube app, and performs the skips and chapter jumps.

  • Notification access

    Reads what is playing from the media controls.

How PureStream handles information is covered in our privacy policy.

Check your download

When the first release is out, this is where you will find its SHA-256 checksum and our signing certificate fingerprint, so you can check your download is genuine.

Staying up to date

New versions install over the top of the one you have, and keep your settings.

  • In the app

    PureStream can check for new versions itself, using a small file on this site that describes the latest release: latest.json.

  • With Obtainium

    Obtainium is a free app that installs and updates apps straight from their websites. Once the first release is out, go to Obtainium, tap Add app and paste the address of this page. It finds the download link here and tells you when a new version appears.

    Address to paste into Obtainium
    https://purestreamapp.com/youtube/download

  • With a feed reader

    Every release is posted to the changelog RSS feed, with what changed. You can also read it on the changelog page.

Troubleshooting

Android says the app was not installed

This usually means another copy of PureStream is already on your phone, signed with a different certificate (a test build, or a copy from another source). Android only updates an app with a copy signed by the same certificate. Uninstall the other copy, then install this one. Uninstalling resets PureStream's settings on that phone.

Play Protect blocked the install

See If Google Play Protect steps in above for what each message means and what you can do.

A permission switch is greyed out

Android is holding it back because PureStream came from a browser. Follow Allow restricted settings above, then try again.

I use Advanced Protection

Advanced Protection on Android 16 does not allow installing apps from a browser. While it is on, PureStream cannot be installed from this page.

Something else

The help centre covers setup and the overlay. If you are still stuck, email us at support@purestreamapp.com and tell us your phone model and Android version.