Web Extension that's compatible with Chrome. Intercept requests made from Chrome or any desktop application to open YouTube, and instead open and access your link in FreeTube.
When attached to your default browser:
- Works from external apps and intra-browser navigation.
- Support links for videos, Shorts, live streams, playlists, and channels
- Same-tab redirection keeps your current browser page open
- No data collection, literally just rewrites navigations locally and creates a resettable counter
Download and install FreeTube from here.
Open FreeTube → Settings → General and toggle on the option to open links passed to FreeTube in a new window. Without this, each new link replaces whatever video is currently playing.
Links clicked in external apps (Discord, Slack, email clients, etc.) are routed through your default browser. If the extension is on a non-default browser, it won't have te opportunity to intercept.
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Open a YouTube link from your browser or any external app.
⚠️ You will be asked to grant permission for FreeTube to be opened.⚠️ You will then have to manually close the YouTube page on this initial set up run!!!⚠️ -
As long as Permission was granted, all subsequent runs should work as expected. If permission was accidentally denied, see This section
The very first time the extension hands a link to FreeTube, your browser will ask for permission to open the app.
When the dialog appears:
- Check "Always allow"
- Click Open FreeTube
- Close the leftover tab yourself, just this once
Every link after that opens in FreeTube with the browser tab closing automatically.
If FreeTube isn't opening (for example, you dismissed or denied the first prompt), you can re-create the first-run behavior:
- Click the extension icon in the toolbar
Run into a problem or have a suggestion? Open an issue on this repo or reach out — happy to help.