https://github.com/UpAllNite-Software/simple-song-collector/releases/download/v1.0.26/ssc-1.0.26.apk
YouTube SABR Protocol Changes
YouTube has fully enforced their new SABR (Server Adaptive Bitrate) streaming
protocol across all clients. Audio-only streams (128kbps AAC) are no longer
available through the extraction method this app uses.
What changed:
- YouTube now only serves a single 360p progressive video stream (itag 18)
to third-party clients. All higher quality audio and video formats are
locked behind YouTube's proprietary SABR protocol, which no open-source
library currently supports.
How this release adapts:
- When no audio-only stream is available, the app downloads the 360p video
and extracts the audio track automatically.
- Song metadata (title, artist, album art) is still embedded in the
downloaded file.
- The extraction is transparent — the download experience is unchanged.
Audio quality impact:
- Before: 128kbps AAC (audio-only stream)
- Now: 96kbps AAC (extracted from 360p video)
- Both use the same AAC-LC codec. The difference is minor for most
listening purposes but may be noticeable in quiet passages or on
high-quality headphones.
Download size impact:
- The 360p video must be fully downloaded before audio extraction, so
downloads are temporarily larger during transfer. The final saved
file contains only the audio track and is comparable in size to before.
Why this happened:
- YouTube is progressively restricting access to separate audio/video
streams to combat third-party downloading tools. The 360p progressive
format remains available because it serves as a legacy fallback for
older devices and embedded players.