This isn't the first time we've criticized the lack of official options to customize YouTube, and it won't be the last. Many users want to disable and hide entire sections of the platform, but Mountain View turns a deaf ear to those requests. The solution comes through extensions, and we've previously talked about Unhook. However, today it's the turn of UnTrap, a more complete and compatible alternative for the Chromium family.
Regardless of some options focused on performance and privacy, I believe the most important change that YouTube enables is the use of dark mode. From the home page to suggestions and shorts, no high-profile section can be completely disabled. Deep down we know that Google won't change its strategy, and YouTube's "unified experience" will continue despite the complaints... but there is another path. With the help of a new extension called UnTrap, customizing YouTube has never been so easy.
How to customize YouTube with the UnTrap extension
UnTrap is compatible with Apple's Safari browser and a good part of the Chromium family, including Brave, Opera, and Edge. Once installed, UnTrap presents a total of nine menus in its interface, full of options to modify the appearance and behavior of YouTube. For example, the Home Page section allows us to use the subscriptions list as the new home page, Video Page can hide almost all elements of the playback window (details, comments, live chat, the entire sidebar), Video Card disables aspects such as playback preview (when we hover over the video), and Subscriptions Page can hide live events, premieres, upcoming, and shorts.
UnTrap also includes an internal configuration that helps us limit YouTube sessions, protect access to the extension with a password, and block specific channels or videos. Finally, we find dark mode support, and the ability to import/export the entire configuration with a single action. The developer has confirmed that the Firefox version is on its way, but it will take one or two months. Until that build appears, Unhook should cover the needs of any user on the red panda.
(Editor's note: The extension contacts https://api.mixpanel.com/track/ for initial telemetry. The developer indicated that this will disappear in the next update.)
Official site and download: Click here
