If you are using a legacy smart television or streaming box stuck on Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), the standard Google Play Store version will no longer load or stream videos.
You can download these .apk files via a PC, transfer them to a USB drive, plug the drive into your TV, and install them using a file manager (like File Commander or Solid Explorer). Method 2: Third-Party/Open-Source YouTube Clients youtube for android tv version 444 better
Check for updates. If available, click next to YouTube. Method 2: Sideloading the APK (For Advanced Users) If you are using a legacy smart television
Based on the official changelog and platform reports, version 6.44.301 brings several critical improvements that make it a better choice for everyday use: If available, click next to YouTube
The most noticeable change is playback initiation. In older versions, clicking a video resulted in a 4-to-7-second black screen while ad segments and video streams negotiated. Google appears to have pre-cached the player surface, meaning you spend less time waiting and more time watching.
Some users report that if a video is paused, the screen dims or jumps to the Android TV screensaver faster than it did in previous versions, which can be annoying if you frequently pause to look at details on the screen.
If your current YouTube app is laggy on an older Android TV: Quick Fixes for YouTube Problems on Android TVs
