Even a stable old version has quirks. Here are fixes for the most common complaints:
| Issue | Solution | | :--- | :--- | | "Login failed" or "Sign in error" | Go to the app settings (inside Smart YouTube TV) and select "Sign out." Then, use the "Pair code" method instead of password login. | | Video stutters or buffers | Open Settings → Player. Change "Video buffer size" from "Adaptive" to "Large (20MB)". Also, disable "VP9 codec" if your device is old. | | Can't cast from phone | Ensure both devices are on the same WiFi. In the phone's YouTube app, look for the "Smart YouTube TV" cast target (not your TV's normal name). | | App crashes on launch | Clear cache via Android settings -> Apps -> Smart YouTube TV. If persistent, your Android version is too new. Consider upgrading to v7.x. |
Some users dislike the modern "Shorts" heavy interface or the new button placements in recent YouTube TV apps. Version 6.17 724 retains the classic, clean Android TV layout—no TikTok-style distractions, just your subscriptions and recommendations.
Modern versions of Smart YouTube TV require Android 5.0+ and decent RAM. The 6.17 724 build runs smoothly on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) and up. This makes it the perfect choice for:
There are two major reasons this "old version" has become a cult classic:
1. The Last Version Before the UI Overhaul Shortly after version 6.17, the developer moved to the "SmartTube" beta line, which introduced a modern, dynamic interface. While beautiful, the new UI uses more RAM and GPU power. On devices with 1GB or 2GB of RAM (e.g., older Xiaomi Mi Boxes, Fire TV Stick 2nd gen, or cheap Android 9 TVs), the newer interface lags. Version 6.17.724 runs lightning fast on old hardware.
2. Removal of "Casting" Features Later versions removed the "Receive Cast" feature. Version 6.17.724 still allows you to cast YouTube videos from your phone to the TV app natively.