Here is why this particular version has garnered a cult following:
Cause: Version 6.14.18 does not handle the Shorts player well. Fix: Disable Shorts entirely by going to Settings > UI > Hide "Shorts" tab. Or simply avoid clicking the Shorts shelf.
| Feature | Official YouTube (Free) | YouTube Premium | Smart YouTube TV 6.14.18 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Ads | Full ads | No ads | No ads | | Background Play | No | Yes | Yes | | 4K/60fps Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Cost | Free | $13.99/month | Free | | Login Required | Yes (for subs) | Yes | Yes (optional) | | Playback History | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Casting Support | Yes | No | No (not supported) | | Auto-updates | Yes | Yes | No (manual) |
Key takeaway: If you rely on casting from your phone to the TV, Smart YouTube TV will not work. You must use the remote control. Otherwise, it outperforms the official app in every way except automatic updates.