In 2021, Google changed the default thumbnail server URL scheme. Sometimes, version 5.9.0.13 will show blank gray squares instead of video thumbnails. Refreshing usually fixes it, but it is annoying.
If you want to experience the speed, here is the step-by-step guide. Warning: You cannot install this over the existing YouTube app. You must disable or uninstall the modern version first.
The user interface shifted significantly in this build. Video recommendations were presented as "cards" with large thumbnails, distinct separation, and touch-friendly hitboxes. This design cleaned up the clutter of the previous versions and made vertical scrolling through the feed much smoother. youtube version 5.9.0.13
To understand the magic of version 5.9.0.13, you must recall the hardware it was built for. In 2014:
YouTube version 5.9.0.13 was the "Material Design" transitional build. It shed the dark-holo UI of Android 4.x and embraced Google’s new, colorful, card-based aesthetic. It was lightweight, stable, and—according to long-term users—the last truly "snappy" version of the YouTube app before bloat set in. In 2021, Google changed the default thumbnail server
Version 5.9 was famous for introducing the "Cards" interface.
Because login is broken, most users stay signed out and use the app for public videos or their RSS feeds. Alternatively, install microG for Vanced (version 0.2.24+) which can spoof the old OAuth flow. YouTube version 5
Google has rotated its OAuth tokens multiple times since 2014. Logging in with a modern Google account will fail on stock version 5.9.0.13. You need a patched version (e.g., from Vanced or ReVanced extended forks) that re-routes authentication.
Let’s compare the app size:
The RAM footprint is even more dramatic. On a low-end device (e.g., 1GB RAM), modern YouTube will crash the moment you open the comments section. Version 5.9.0.13 uses approximately 45 MB of RAM idle and peaks at 120 MB during 720p playback.
Startup time: On a modern Wi-Fi connection, the legacy app launches in under 0.5 seconds. Current YouTube takes 2-4 seconds to load the homepage due to A/B testing scripts and analytics trackers.