Mullvad VPN + youtube

mandarin50

Hi, I have recently started to use Mullvad VPN on both my graphene OS pixel and my ubuntu lapotp)
Unfortunately, I cannot watch YouTube videos on my phone (with Newpipe) or my laptop (Freetube).
If i want to watch a video I have to disconnect from the VPN (which defeats the purpose of having a vpn in the first place), even if I try to watch it via browser it asks me to login, which I do not want to do.

I have the same issue with the reddit website, I have to disconnect every time to check the webpage...

Prior to Mullvad vpn I had Proton VPN and I never had any issue.

There are many settings in the mullvad vpn app, i have not touched anything but maybe there is a way to tweak some settings.

Does anyone know how to overcome this issue?

c86

mandarin50

Sometimes NewPipe can be the issue and needs to be updated to deal with Google blocking.

But that aside, start cycling VPN servers and that should make a difference.

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

mandarin50 Does anyone know how to overcome this issue?

Only by changing the exit server which is not restricted by Youtube. They recently started enforcing the requirement to log in when connected from VPNs and datacenters. The actual app has nothing to do with that.

DeletedUser237

mandarin50 As others have said this is not related to what you use to watch YouTube rather how you connect to watch it. Most often when you can't open it, if you'd try to open it via browser from new pipe you'd be greeted with captcha.

You can try to change servers sometimes it does help, or sometimes you simply have to wait for whatever the timer the 'bouncer' service on their end have. You may try to play with the way obfuscation work for mullvad, see if it works. But there's no other way unfortunately, the IPs are well known and it's trivial for them to know you come from a VPN address.

mandarin50

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e
The issue does not seem to be Newpipe as I can't watch any video even if I go to the YT website (they want me to log in).
I believe that youtube is blocking the access to mullvad IP and i do not know how to get around that

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

mandarin50 Yes, it is all about IP address.

Viewpoint0232

You can try out multiple exit servers until you find one that isn't blocked. Alternatively, use the split tunnelling feature to exempt NewPipe from the VPN if you don't mind Youtube knowing your real IP address. (You might need to disable "block connections without VPN" in the Android settings.)

mandarin50

Thank you guys for your support, now I understood how it works!
Yes, the problem is not with Newpipe/Freetube but the fact that Youtube is trying to block the IP from Mullvad VPN's.

As suggested by @c86, I tried different servers and finally I managed to watch youtube by connecting to the server in Manila, Philippines. However, reddit is still blocked with that server.

If the problem persists, I will have to go the split tunnel feature, thanks @Viewpoint0232

DeletedUser237

mandarin50 However, reddit is still blocked with that server.

You need to use redreader or sign in via browser to use reddit when on VPN