[Feature Request] Unhook-style Controls - Feed Free options, Accessible Settings & In-App Private Downloads

[anisharyal09]

First of all, just downloaded the app and the first impression is solid—so clean, sleek, and fast, really loved it!

Just wanted to suggest a couple of additions:

Problem

Algorithmic clutter (Home feeds, Shorts, end screens) disrupts a distraction-free experience, while essential controls (like Distraction-Free toggles and Sleep Timer) are buried deep inside nested menus instead of being accessible directly from the top bar. Additionally, downloads clutter the phone's public gallery with no option for dedicated, app-internal storage.

Possible Solution

Add modular settings/toggles in the app configuration to streamline the UI and introduce a flexible download storage option.

Proposed Features & Toggles:

• Hide Home Feed & Suggestions: Option to hide recommendations on the home tab and player page related suggestions.

• Hide Shorts: Option to filter out or hide YouTube Shorts from feeds, search results, and navigation tabs.

• Hide End Screens: Filter out video end-screen cards, overlays, and related suggestions.

• Hide Subscriptions Feed: Similar to home feed

• Audio Only Mode: Turns off the video in YouTube (blacks out player UI)

• Private / In-App Download Storage: Add a storage preference setting allowing users to choose between:

  • Saving downloads publicly to the device's system gallery/media folder.
  • Saving downloads as private, app-internal data (hidden from the system gallery) with integrated playback directly within the app's internal player.

• Accessible Settings: Make features (e.g., Distraction-Free Feed, Sleep Timer) easier to access. At minimum, move the Settings icon directly to the top bar rather than putting it inside the menu(㆔*).

[anisharyal09]

Updated the main body with a refined problem statement, plus new suggestions for Accessible Settings and Hide Subscriptions Feed.