What is Vanced and why has Google banned it?
YOUTUBE fans who use Android have long been using Vanced to stream their favourite videos.
But why has the app been banned by Google?
What is Vanced?
Vanced is a third-party YouTube app for Android.
It is hugely popular because it allows YouTube users to block all video ads - without a Premium subscription.
The app also allows users to customise the look of the app, which the normal YouTube app does not allow.
And it has a background music feature, which means its users can enter into other apps while the sound from YouTube still plays.
Why has Google banned it?
Google reportedly sent the owners of Vanced a cease and desist letter in March last year.
This is because Google owns YouTube and wants people to pay for Premium subscriptions.
A spokesperson for Vanced said at the time that the app had been "discontinued".
"In the coming days, the download links on the website will be taken down," they explained.
“We know this is not something you wanted to hear but it's something we need to do.
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“Thank you all for supporting us over the years.
“Currently installed versions will work just fine, until they become outdated in 2 years or so.”
They added: “We were asked to remove all references to ‘YouTube’, change the logo, and remove all links related to YouTube products.”
Vanced has since warned that any similar looking apps in the Google Play Store are fake.
"Google won't allow a modded version of their own app to be on Play Store," Vanced said in the FAQ section on its website.
"So don't look for it on the Google Play Store. Those are fake apps."
However, those who still have the app have reported being unable to access it in recent days.
When opening the app, users are met with a pop-up saying: "Content not available".
Users think the app has finally been killed off, after the team said it would only continue working until the existing version of Vanced grew too old to keep up with YouTube.
"YouTube Vanced officially canned and dead," said one Twitter user.
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Another said: "It's over. YouTube Vanced is officially dead... Rest in peace."
The company is yet to put out an official statement, and cannot be reached for comment.