If you're a big fan of YouTube, you may have noticed that the best ad blockers no longer work as well as they once did. Or rather, YouTube detects that an ad blocker is being used and makes a big deal about turning off the ad blocker or subscribing to YouTube Premium. But there may be a way around this (for now).

Yes, Windows Phone, which has been officially dead since 2017 and has long been ignored by most people using phones. It appears to be able to get past YouTube's ad blockers, which is a strange irony given that YouTube was openly hostile to this platform back in the day.

The workaround, posted on Twitter/X by @endermacnch, points out that ad blocking apparently violates Google's terms of service, but user agent spoofs do not. And by switching the user agent to Windows Phone, you can trick YouTube into thinking you are using Windows Phone.

It is possible to click out of YouTube's anti-adblock messages, but that is still a hassle. This workaround will at least make browsing YouTube less frustrating.

User agent basically identifies your device, browser, and operating system when accessing a website. User agent switching tools are tools for developers that modify the HTTP requests made by browsers so that browsing appears to be done from a completely different system.

The best part is that Google provides a User-Agent switching extension. So you don't have to risk accidentally using a dodgy third-party extension that tries to steal your data or infect your system with malware.

It is also very easy to use. Simply click on the user agent switching icon in the extension bar, then Windows Phone, then Windows Phone 8. Or you can choose another option. In case for some reason you want Google to think you are browsing from Firefox or iOS.

In @endermanch's switching video, he faces ad blocking and warns to turn off the extension or purchase YouTube Premium. This message disappears as soon as you use the Windows Phone option with the User Agent Switching extension, allowing ad-free access to YouTube videos without being interrupted by pesky warnings.

It is odd that this workaround actually exists. Perhaps it is because Google was content to ignore this platform whenever it was not actively interfering with the development of third-party YouTube apps on Windows Phone. As a result, Google seems to have forgotten to implement an ad-blocking feature on Windows Phone.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to test whether this process actually works. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that this workaround will work, and we have no doubt that Google will eventually close this loophole.

Now, it is important to point out that Tom's Guide does not, strictly speaking, recommend the use of ad blockers, given that it displays ads. And in fact, here are five reasons why you should pay for YouTube Premium.

However, if you choose to use the ad blocker at your own risk, at least you can use it without having to bother with YouTube.