Ad Skipper

Ad Skipper is a lightweight helper for YouTube. When a skippable ad appears, it automatically presses the skip button as soon as it becomes available (typically after about five seconds), then continues running quietly in the background.

Caution

Sensitive apps (banking, finance, enterprise)

Some apps that handle sensitive information may refuse to open or function while system assistance features are active. This is a security measure implemented by those apps.

If you encounter this, temporarily disable Ad Skipper in settings before using those apps. Turn it back on afterwards to continue skipping ads.

Requirements

• Android 8.1 (API level 27) or newer
• Official YouTube app installed (com.google.android.youtube)
• Accessibility permission in system settings

Installation

1. Download the latest APK from GitHub Releases, or build the app with Android Studio.

2. Install the APK on your device, and enable Install unknown apps if prompted.

3. Launch the app and choose Open Settings.

4. In system settings, locate Ad Skipper under Accessibility and turn it on.

5. Enjoy YouTube as usual. Skippable ads will be dismissed automatically.

If you encounter warnings or setup issues, read below.

Troubleshooting

Ad Skipper is open source, so you can inspect the code yourself. The app runs entirely on your device and does not require internet access. It does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data. It does exactly what is described and nothing more.

Warning

Google Play Protect alerts

Because Ad Skipper uses this system permission to detect and press the Skip Ad button, Play Protect may show a warning such as "This app may be harmful". This is a generic warning shown to any app with this type of permission.

If Play Protect blocks installation, you can safely choose Install anyway once you have verified you downloaded it from the official GitHub Releases.

In rare cases Play Protect may continue to block or remove the app. You can temporarily pause Play Protect scanning in the Play Store (Profile > Play Protect > Settings), complete installation, and then re-enable Play Protect immediately afterwards.

Warning

Restricted Settings on Android 13+

On Android 13 and newer, Google blocks Accessibility for apps installed outside the Play Store. If you see "App was denied access | Controlled by Restricted Setting", follow these steps:

1. Open Settings > Apps > Ad Skipper.

2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.

3. Select Allow restricted settings.

4. If you don't see this option:

   • Enable Developer options: go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times.

   • Enter your PIN, then repeat the steps above.

   • If the option still doesn't appear, try opening Ad Skipper once, then check again.

   • On some phones, you may need to reinstall the app after enabling Developer options.

After this one-time setup, Ad Skipper will work normally in the background.

License

Copyright © 2025 Anar Bastanov
Distributed under the MIT License.