When looking for the "top" or best version for this OS, you are essentially looking for the last compatible version of the YouTube app.

| Version | Best For | Pros | Cons | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 16.29.36 | Extremely low-RAM devices (512MB) | Lightning fast, no stuttering | Older UI, missing shorts shelf | | 17.13.36 | Users who want newer icons | Slightly improved comment section | Can be laggy on older chipsets (e.g., Snapdragon 400) | | 14.43.54 | Ultimate stability | Rock-solid for 720p playback | No dark theme, no pinch-to-zoom |

But for 95% of users, 17.09.38 remains the undisputed top choice.

If you are trying to run the current version of YouTube on Android 5.1.1, you will likely face these "Top" issues.

A: Shorts was heavily optimized for newer versions of Android. On 5.1.1, the Shorts shelf may load, but scrolling through Shorts will be choppy. Use the normal video shelf instead.

“Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) may be outdated, but millions still use it. The official YouTube app no longer updates for 5.1.1, leading to ‘This app is incompatible’ errors. Here are the top working YouTube versions for Android 5.1.1 that still play videos, support login, and minimize crashes.”