Running the YouTube app on Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) in 2026 is challenging because official support and Google Play Services for this OS ended in July 2024. Current official versions of the app typically require Android 8.0 or higher. Methods to Access YouTube on Android 5.1.1
) are designed to work on older hardware with less overhead than the official Google app. Verification Tip youtube apk android 511
.apk file.If you choose to use an older APK, the following were the last major versions to support the Lollipop API (API 21): Official YouTube 16.40.36 Running the YouTube app on Android 5
SmartTube: Primarily for Android TV but has versions supporting down to Android 4.4, making it a great choice if you're repurposing your old device as a media center. 3. The Browser Workaround (No APK Needed) Open your Downloads folder (use a file manager
Note: You must enable "Unknown Sources" in your security settings to install this. How to Report Issues