# SmallTube

> Native iOS YouTube client with ad-free, PiP, and background playback. (iPhone/iPad app by Ioannis Notaris.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smalltube/id6502561505 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ioannis Notaris](https://appshunter.io/developer/1744206387)
- Category: Entertainment
- Price: Free (on sale, was $0.99)
- Rating: 2.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.4 · 0 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2024-05-13
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smalltube/id6502561505/reviews.md

## What is SmallTube?

A simple and native YouTube client for iOS with no ads, picture-in-picture, and background playback.

For picture-in-picture to work, toggle it while in fullscreen and then exit to home. After that, background playback will also work!

Limitations:
- Only embeddable video can play (most songs and copyrighted material are not available)
- The app requires an API key from the YouTube Data API. You can easily create one for free.

## Key features

- Ad-free viewing
- Picture-in-picture playback
- Background playback
- Native iOS experience
- Embeddable video support

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smalltube/id6502561505/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Error 153 appearance on Youtube embeds

*2025-11-07*

It unfortunately causes this app to not function as it should. As it’s been a year since the last update, I can’t imagine this being fixed by the developer unless YouTube resolves it somehow. Otherwise, very simple app and does its job.

## Frequently asked questions about SmallTube

### Does SmallTube have ads?

No, SmallTube is designed to be an ad-free experience, allowing for uninterrupted video playback.

### How do I enable picture-in-picture and background playback in SmallTube?

To enable these features, toggle picture-in-picture while in fullscreen mode and then exit to the home screen. Background playback will then also function.

### What kind of videos can I watch on SmallTube?

SmallTube can only play embeddable videos. This means that most songs and copyrighted material may not be available.

### Does SmallTube require an API key?

Yes, SmallTube requires an API key from the YouTube Data API. You can easily create one for free.

### What devices is SmallTube compatible with?

SmallTube is currently supported on iPhone devices.

### When was SmallTube last updated?

The latest version of SmallTube was released on May 16, 2024.

### What is the age rating for SmallTube?

SmallTube has an age rating of 4+.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 1.1 — 2024-05-16

Features:
- Add option to save searches to view later

Bug fixes:
- Fixed a bug causing a bad request when the used didn't set results count

### 1.0 — 2024-05-13

No release notes.

## Apps similar to SmallTube

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*