One word, Revanced.

youtube on modern phones sucks

FTFY

You default to 240 because your internet sucks or you need to change the default setting. I get 720 all the time and could go higher if I wanted. I never see 240.

This is a you issue and not an app issue.

Yeah, Newpipe is a lot better option.

I've been using YouTube Vanced for years, and now , after Vanced got killed. it's a bit tedious to set up on non rooted phones, but even then, it's such a huge upgrade. no ads, let you pick your own quality, SponsorBlock built in, background play, lots of payout control options.

Not to forget: the adds are high definition anyway...

Quite a few NewPipe mentions here 😁. Another option is NewPipe SponsorBlock, which has support for Return Youtube Dislike and of course SponsorBlock

YouTube on modern phones sucks.

Even when I select "higher quality" on WiFi, it still defaults to 480p.

And then I have to manually select 1080 every time.

Yeah, I switched to Invidious a long time ago. If you want an app, I'd also recommend NewPipe (for Android), and either Yattee (for iOS) or Piped (as a PWA).

That's why I only use Newpipe

Use the Firefox nightly build and you can bring your desktop experience to mobile.

Not only can you use sponsorblock but also ublock origin. Plus you can use picture in picture and play the videos with your phone locked by default

Its literal perfect fir my usage

Use Newpipe or libretube

revanced is the only thing I can use. it patches the legacy quality menu back in and a bunch of things that make it usable again

My phone always defaults to 4K, it's definitely something up with your phone/the app settings.

I just use newpipe on my phone, freetube on linux. I appreciate that you don't need an account to "subscribe" to channels.

Also wtf, even with vanced, it makes me subscribe to hit play next? Thats such a basic function.

You could teach a CLASS on how terrible the YouTube mobile app UX is.

I installed both Vinegar and Baking Soda and have never looked back. And FWIW, all of Google is rotten.

YouTube sucks, period. The best innovation they had recently was copying a Chinese company douyin and making shorts while for years they were pushing long form videos to creators and punishing short form videos 💀 dead brains in YouTube executives