# FreeTube changelog

> A private YouTube client for the desktop.

- Vendor: FreeTube
- Category: Media
- Platforms: Desktop
- Official site: https://freetubeapp.io
- Tracked by: What's New (https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube)
- Harvested from: GitHub (FreeTubeApp/FreeTube)
- Entries below: 10 (newest first)

What's New is an index, not a publisher: every entry below links to the vendor's own release notes, which are the authoritative source. Entries are labelled where they are hand-curated sample data, pre-releases, or drawn from a secondary source such as a developer blog.

## Releases

### v0.25.1-beta — v0.25.1 Beta

- Date: 2026-07-20
- Version: v0.25.1-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.25.1-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.25.1-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

- **fixed** — Fix FreeTube is damaged and can't be opened error on macOS by explicitly configuring ad-hoc codesigning
- **fixed** — Fix Windows ARM64 installer not including FreeTube.exe by updating electron-builder

##### Summary
This hotfix release fixes the `FreeTube is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the trash` error and an issue causing the Windows ARM64 installer to install all files except `FreeTube.exe`.

A massive thanks to @absidue for providing the fix regarding these issues. If you'd like to support their continued development, consider making a donation to show your appreciation.

* https://github.com/sponsors/absidue

##### Fixes
* Explicitly configure ad-hoc codesigning after electron-builder changes by @absidue in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9444
* Update electron-builder to fix Windows installers by @absidue in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9460

### v0.25.0-beta — v0.25.0 Beta

- Date: 2026-07-17
- Version: v0.25.0-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.25.0-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.25.0-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

- **added** — Support drag and drop reordering of videos in local playlists with custom sort order
- **added** — Support copying video screenshots to the clipboard instead of saving to the file system
- **added** — Show chapter titles while hovering over the seekbar and add a chapters menu inside the player
- **added** — Add a parental control setting to disable channel links from videos
- **added** — Add a play all videos button on channel pages using YouTube's automatically generated playlists
- **added** — Add import/export settings buttons in the Data settings
- **added** — Implement always on default viewing mode
- **fixed** — Apply the hide watched filter before applying the per-channel video limit
- **fixed** — Fix the expand side bar by default setting causing layout issues on mobile devices
- **fixed** — Fix the playlist import object cloning error
- **fixed** — Fix the spacing in the window title on the playlist page
- **fixed** — Hide the username and password fields for SOCKS proxies, as Electron/Chromium doesn't support authentication for them
- **fixed** — Fix opening playlists in external players not working when ignore default args is enabled
- **fixed** — Fix not being able to select and copy stats in the player
- **fixed** — Fix the expand side bar by default setting appearing always disabled
- **fixed** — Fix layout issues with the channel names in the hide videos from channels setting
- **fixed** — Fix manually marked as watch videos not being imported by the watch history import
- **fixed** — Close search and history suggestions when clicking outside the search bar
- **fixed** — Fix tooltips not disappearing in the player
- **fixed** — Fix default quality setting not being applied

##### Summary 
This release brings a number of new features along with plenty of bug fixes.

Behind the scenes, we're continuing to focus on improving SABR's stability and reliability. Reverse engineering YouTube's custom protocol is a complex and time-consuming process, but it's an investment that will pay off with a more robust experience in future releases.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> In **v0.26.0**, support for macOS 12 will be dropped, and ARMv7l builds will no longer be provided as a result of upgrading to Electron v44.0.0.

##### Features
* Support drag and drop reordering of videos in local playlists with the custom sort order by @PikachuEXE in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/8681
* Support copying video screenshots to the clipboard instead of saving to the file system by @Shadorc in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9042
* Show chapter titles while hovering over the seekbar and add a chapters menu inside the player by @absidue in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9134
* Add a parental control setting to disable channel links from videos by @ozrendev in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/8502
* Add a play all videos button on channel pages using YouTube's automatically generated playlists by @r3dArch in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9340
* Add import/export settings buttons in the Data settings by @Shadorc in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9123
* Implement always on default viewing mode by @PikachuEXE in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9341


##### Fixes
* Remove leftover string from blog removal by @MarmadileManteater in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/8962
* Apply the hide watched filter before applying the per-channel video limit by @aditya0155 in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/8973
* Fix the expand side bar by default setting causing layout issues on mobile devices by @AndreJesusBrito in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/8389
* Fix the playlist import object cloning error by @absidue in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/8993
* Fix the spacing in the window title on the playlist page by @absidue in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/8994
* Hide the username and password fields for SOCKS proxies, as Electron/Chromium doesn't support authentication for them by @Gabi-Zar in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9038
* Fix opening playlists in external players not working when ignore default args is enabled by @absidue in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/8995
* Fix not being able to select and copy stats in the player by @absidue in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9071
* Fix the expand side bar by default setting appearing always disabled by @Shadorc in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9153
* Fix some broken translations by @absidue in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9143
* Fix layout issues with the channel names in the hide videos from channels setting by @PikachuEXE in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9135
* Fix manually marked as watch videos not being imported by the watch history import by @Shadorc in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9201
* Close search and history suggestions when clicking outside the search bar by @Shadorc in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9226
* Fix tooltips not disappearing in the player by @Shadorc in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9119
* Fix the spacing on the channel home tab when videos are watched by @PikachuEXE in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9293
* Fix cmd+L focus on search bar also move video forward by @PikachuEXE in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9255
* Fix: Private video - TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'view_count') by @Shadorc in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9254
* Fix: Live chat error overflow by @Shadorc in https://github.com/FreeTub

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.25.0-beta]_

### v0.24.1-beta — v0.24.1 Beta

- Date: 2026-06-08
- Version: v0.24.1-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.24.1-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.24.1-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

- **fixed** — Fix Subscriptions and Channel pages not fetching content from Videos/Live tabs
- **fixed** — Fix channel home data parsing

##### Summary
This hotfix release fixes content fetching on both Channel and Subscription pages.

A massive thanks to @PikachuEXE for providing the fix regarding these errors. If you'd like to support their continued development, consider making a donation to show your appreciation.

* https://github.com/sponsors/PikachuEXE

##### Fixes
* Fix Subscriptions and Channel pages not fetching content from Videos/Live tabs by @PikachuEXE in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9227
* Fix channel home data parsing by @PikachuEXE in https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/pull/9164

### v0.24.0-beta — v0.24.0 Beta

- Date: 2026-04-01
- Version: v0.24.0-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.24.0-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.24.0-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

- **added** — Implement SABR playback support via the local API, restoring audio track selection in the player
- **changed** — Update the player to a newer version of Shaka Player with a modernization of the UI, now cleaner and closely aligned with YouTube's look and feel
- **removed** — Remove the Restart window keyboard shortcut due to instability and frequent issues
- **removed** — Remove the built-in download feature, which became completely unusable following the introduction of SABR
- **changed** — Update FreeTube's Trending page to source data from the trending sections of the Gaming, Sports, and Podcasts channels following YouTube's removal of its Trending page
- **changed** — Update search filters to match YouTube's updated search filter changes
- **changed** — Update from Electron v34 to Electron v41
- **changed** — Require macOS 12 (Monterey) or later, as macOS 11 is no longer supported
- **added** — Add support for Wayland out of the box in Electron v38.2.0 and newer
- **added** — Add clickable playlist progress bar
- **added** — Add Everforest color themes
- **added** — Add support for channel's Courses tab
- **added** — Add playlist duration to playlist view
- **added** — Add watch progress saving setting with multiple different modes
- **added** — Add support for upcoming livestream trailers
- **added** — Add New Windows item to the Windows taskbar and macOS dock menu
- **added** — Add more YouTube keyboard shortcuts to the player
- **added** — Implement a search X in new window context menu item
- **added** — Add a reset button to the search filters
- **added** — Add sort by date on history page

##### Summary
This release of FreeTube represents an incredible amount of hard work and persistence from the project and its contributors. It brings major improvements across playback, performance, and platform support, with the most significant changes detailed in the FreeTube, YouTube, and Electron sections below.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to @LuanRT, maintainer of [YouTube.js](https://github.com/LuanRT/YouTube.js/) and @absidue, for repeatedly helping us resolve that various issues that have impacted playback over time. Your expertise has been invaluable in keeping FreeTube functional through YouTube’s ongoing changes.

A special thank you as well to @PikachuEXE and @absidue for their work on implementing SABR support, a challenging but essential step in adapting FreeTube to YouTube’s evolving streaming methods.

We also want to give a big thank you to the [Shaka Player](https://github.com/shaka-project/shaka-player) team (@avelad, @joeyparrish, @matvp91, @tykus160, @TAhub, @mariocynicys) for their responsiveness and collaboration. They’ve been quick to fix bugs we’ve reported and their willingness to implement requested functionality have been invaluable to FreeTube.

Lastly, we would like to thank all the translators that make FreeTube more accessible to all of our users!

###### FreeTube
* Implemented SABR playback support via the local API, restoring audio track selection in the player. Watch pages now load faster, but may show timers for pre-roll ads and SABR backoff. The displayed timer values are provided by YouTube and we have no control over them. If playback fails, it will automatically retry or reload. For more details on SABR, see https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/issues/7119#issuecomment-2837840256.
* Updated the player to a newer version of Shaka Player with a modernization of the UI. The interface is now cleaner and closely aligned with YouTube’s look and feel.
* Removed the Restart window keyboard shortcut. It is known to be unstable and frequently causes allot of issues when used, despite prior guidance to avoid it. As an alternative, use the keyboard shortcuts for navigating back and forward or reopen the video to achieve the same result.
* The built-in download feature has been removed. This functionality was already partially broken and became completely unusable following the introduction of SABR. In its existing state, it lacked many features users typically expect from a YouTube downloader, and restoring it would have required a significant rewrite just to bring it back to a minimal, maintenance-level condition. Given the scope of work required and the availability of more robust, dedicated tools such as [yt-dlp](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp) and various online download services, we determined that removing the built-in downloader was the most practical decision.

###### YouTube
* [YouTube has removed its Trending page](https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-trending-removed-3576664/), but FreeTube’s Trending page remains available by sourcing data from the trending sections of the Gaming, Sports, and Podcasts channels.
* [YouTube has updated its search filters](https://support.google.com/youtube/thread/400586735/changes-to-youtube-search-filters-to-improve-content-discovery), and FreeTube has been updated to match these changes.

###### Electron
Updating from Electron v34 to Electron v41 introduces the following notable changes:
* macOS 11 is no longer supported, as [Electron v38.0.0](https://www.electronjs.org/blog/electron-38-0#removed-macos-11-support) does not support this OS version. macOS 12 (Monterey) or later is required to run FreeTube going forward.
* Wayland is supported out of the box in [Electron v38.2.0](https://releases.electronjs.org/release/v38.2.0) and newer (if you were previously launching your Electron apps with very long commands like `CONFUSING_OZONE_VARIABLE --ozone-platform=wayland`, you no longer need to do that).

######

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.24.0-beta]_

### v0.23.15-beta — v0.23.15 Beta

- Date: 2026-03-18
- Version: v0.23.15-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.23.15-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.23.15-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

- **fixed** — Fix `[UNPLAYABLE] Video unavailable: The page needs to be reloaded.` errors by upgrading youtubei.js to version 17.0.1

##### Summary
This hotfix release fixes the `[UNPLAYABLE] Video unavailable: The page needs to be reloaded.` errors.

A special thanks to @LuanRT, the maintainer of [YouTube.js](https://github.com/LuanRT/YouTube.js), for their invaluable contribution in creating this fix. If you'd like to support their continued development, consider making a donation to show your appreciation.

* https://github.com/sponsors/LuanRT
* https://ko-fi.com/luanrt

##### Fixes
* Bump youtubei.js from 16.0.1 to 17.0.1 by @dependabot and @absidue in #8818

### v0.23.14-beta — v0.23.14 Beta

- Date: 2026-03-05
- Version: v0.23.14-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.23.14-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.23.14-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

- **fixed** — Force player to use 9f4cc5e4 as a temporary workaround for [object Object] errors when playing videos

##### Summary
This hotfix release adds a workaround for the `[object Object]` errors that occurred when attempting to play any kind of video.

> [!NOTE] 
> This workaround is just a temporary fix and could stop working at any point in time.

##### Fixes
* Force player to use `9f4cc5e4` as a temporarily workaround by @efb4f5ff-1298-471a-8973-3d47447115dc in #8736

### v0.23.13-beta — v0.23.13 Beta

- Date: 2026-01-18
- Version: v0.23.13-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.23.13-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.23.13-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

- **fixed** — Fix BAD_HTTP_STATUS: 403 errors when accessing live streams by deciphering live DASH manifest URL

##### Summary
This hotfix release fixes the `[BAD_HTTP_STATUS: 403] Potential causes: IP block or streaming URL deciphering failed` errors that occurred when accessing live streams. 

A massive thanks to @absidue for providing the fix regarding these errors. If you'd like to support their continued development, consider making a donation to show your appreciation.

* https://github.com/sponsors/absidue

##### Fixes
* Decipher live DASH manifest URL by @absidue in #8530

### v0.23.12-beta — v0.23.12 Beta

- Date: 2025-10-16
- Version: v0.23.12-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.23.12-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.23.12-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

##### Summary
This hotfix release fixes the `[BAD_HTTP_STATUS: 403] Potential causes: IP block or streaming URL deciphering failed` errors.

We'd like to extend a special thanks to @LuanRT, the maintainer of YouTube.js, for their invaluable contribution in developing the fix for the playback issues in the previous release. If you'd like to support their continued development, consider making a donation to show your appreciation.

* https://github.com/sponsors/LuanRT
* https://ko-fi.com/luanrt

##### Fixes
* Fix video playback by using video ID bound poToken by @PikachuEXE and @absidue in #8137
* Add error handling to the deciphering code by @absidue in #8139

### v0.23.11-beta — v0.23.11 Beta

- Date: 2025-10-14
- Version: v0.23.11-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.23.11-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.23.11-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

##### Summary
This hotfix release fixes the `Refused to execute inline script` errors that were causing the infinite loading screen.

We'd like to extend a special thanks to @LuanRT, the maintainer of YouTube.js, for their invaluable contribution in developing the fix for the playback issues in the previous release. If you'd like to support their continued development, consider making a donation to show your appreciation.

* https://github.com/sponsors/LuanRT
* https://ko-fi.com/luanrt

##### Fixes
* Fix sigFrameScript by @PikachuEXE and @absidue in #8127

### v0.23.10-beta — v0.23.10 Beta

- Date: 2025-10-13
- Version: v0.23.10-beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/releases/tag/v0.23.10-beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/freetube/releases/v0.23.10-beta
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Desktop

##### Summary
This hotfix release fixes the `[BAD_HTTP_STATUS: 403] Potential causes: IP block or streaming URL deciphering failed`, `Error: (0, c[23]) is not a function` and similarly worded errors.

A special thanks to @LuanRT, the maintainer of YouTube.js, for their invaluable contribution in creating this fix. If you'd like to support their continued development, consider making a donation to show your appreciation.

* https://github.com/sponsors/LuanRT
* https://ko-fi.com/luanrt

##### Fixes
* Bump youtubei.js from 15.0.1 to 15.1.1 by @absidue and @dependabot in #8115