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Snaptube

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Snaptube
Other namesSnapTube Download videos and music
Developer(s)SnapTube Inc.
Initial release10 November 2014
Stable release
V7.41
MiddlewareYes
Operating systemAndroid and iOS and others
PlatformAndroid
Size26.1 MB
TypeDownload videos and free up space and musics

Snaptube is a free Android app that downloads video, audio and also works as a social media aggregator. It provides video resolutions in a range of 144p, 720p, 1080p HD, 2K HD, 4K HD and audio formats in MP3 and M4A. With Snaptube, users can look for content on all their platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and all others) without using numerous apps. As of June 2025, the application is used by over 500 million users.

In addition to its core downloading features, Snaptube has introduced built-in tools aimed at improving user experience and functionality. One such feature is its smart video recommendation system, which suggests trending videos based on user interests and watch history, similar to how platforms like YouTube or TikTok tailor content. Snaptube also includes a built-in file manager, allowing users to organize downloaded content efficiently without needing a separate app.

Furthermore, it offers an option to convert videos directly into audio format during download, saving both time and storage space. These enhancements have helped Snaptube evolve from a basic downloader into a more comprehensive multimedia tool.

In 2019, Upstream warned that users are served invisible ads without their knowledge that run silently on the device, allowing the app maker to generate ad revenue at the expense of churning up a user's mobile data and battery power.[1] According to Upstream, their Secure-D platform detected and blocked "more than 70 million suspicious mobile transaction requests" from SnapTube installs on 4.4 million devices.[1]

After Google pulled the application from The Play Store, Snaptube blamed a third-party software development kit called Mango SDK, with the developer claiming to have removed the offending SDK.[2] The company took immediate action and released an update which took Mango SDK off subsequent versions.

Mango was also found in other apps for fraud behaviors. According to Upstream, this third-party SDK downloads additional components from a central server to engage in this fraudulent ad activity and uses chains of redirection and obfuscation to hide its activity.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Doffman, Zak. "New Android Warning: 40M Users Installed Video App Hiding Devious Malware—Delete Now". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2021-05-20. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  2. ^ Vonau, Manuel (23 October 2019). "[Update: Rogue third-party SDK removed] Snaptube caught with ad click fraud scheme and unwanted subscription signups". www.androidpolice.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  3. ^ Whittaker, Zack (2019-10-17). "Popular app Snaptube accused of ad fraud, say researchers". Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2021-05-25.