How to stop YouTube app opening links?

[g-de]

I recently updated to android 12 and accidentally updated the youtube app. Since then, opening youtube links from apps will open them in the default YouTube app which I don't want.

I looked in the settings to disable the app but the disable button is greyed out. I looked at the default links, which confusingly says it has no default links, then has links selected when you open the menu. I tried unchecking the box but that is disabled.

My phone is rooted so my next thought was to try uninstalling through titanium backup but this failed because the apk isn't available. The recovery exploit uninstall method failed for the same reason.

Any ideas on how to do this? I'm not bothered if the app is still installed, I just want control of how youtube links are handled.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Droidriven]

I recently updated to android 12 and accidentally updated the youtube app. Since then, opening youtube links from apps will open them in the default YouTube app which I don't want.

I looked in the settings to disable the app but the disable button is greyed out. I looked at the default links, which confusingly says it has no default links, then has links selected when you open the menu. I tried unchecking the box but that is disabled.

My phone is rooted so my next thought was to try uninstalling through titanium backup but this failed because the apk isn't available. The recovery exploit uninstall method failed for the same reason.

Any ideas on how to do this? I'm not bothered if the app is still installed, I just want control of how youtube links are handled.

Thanks in advance.

Use a root browser to remove the apk from your system/app or system/priv-app folder.

 

[teknixstuff]

I recently updated to android 12 and accidentally updated the youtube app. Since then, opening youtube links from apps will open them in the default YouTube app which I don't want.

I looked in the settings to disable the app but the disable button is greyed out. I looked at the default links, which confusingly says it has no default links, then has links selected when you open the menu. I tried unchecking the box but that is disabled.

My phone is rooted so my next thought was to try uninstalling through titanium backup but this failed because the apk isn't available. The recovery exploit uninstall method failed for the same reason.

Any ideas on how to do this? I'm not bothered if the app is still installed, I just want control of how youtube links are handled.

Thanks in advance.

You might have luck by opening a root shell (use 'su' in termux), and then running 'pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.youtube', however this will disable the YouTube app entirely.

 

[AD187G]

Clear default from original Youtube app.
Then assign the alternative player to be default one.

 

[g-de]

The solution from @teknixstuff worked perfectly (upvoted previously).

The other suggestions didn't work as the options are disabled. From my original post:

I looked in the settings to disable the app but the disable button is greyed out. I looked at the default links, which confusingly says it has no default links, then has links selected when you open the menu. I tried unchecking the box but that is disabled.

Maybe it wasn't clear I meant android app setting rather than in-app settings.

I'm not sure if it's Google or the manufacturer that is locking these options out.