How do you block them on your router? I'm using Pi-hole but I still get Youtube ads through my Chromecast.

Look at Ad Free Time. You have to have certain routers. I don't use a Chromecast or any other device like a Roku, so dealing with them is an unknown for me.

DD-WRT firmware (done via hosts file).

You can also runs pixelserv that will return a 1 pixel image so you don't get any errors.

Ublock doesn't cover mobile devices though. And even if you block it on the router, once you leave the house it's only available via vpn. And if you're going that far and making it available for your whole family and are on the hook for support... Maybe it's easier to just pay a few bucks a month. (Unless you're really enjoying doing it by hand, I guess)

> Ublock doesn't cover mobile devices though

It does on FF for Android!

The context here is youtube. When you're watching a youtube video on android, it's either in the youtube app, in a webview, or in the browser. The first two are not covered by ublock and the last one is the least likely to happen. (in my experience anyway)

Why use the YouTube app? The browser is Good Enough.

If you want a more "native" player there's always SkyTube and other similar apps for longform content.

I always use Firefox, although admittedly I don't watch that many videos. Same goes for Facebook, Twitter, etc.

There's a few apps for which I think native is important, but I'm generally happy with mobile websites. uBlock Origin really makes mobile web not suck.

NewPipe on Android. Superior to the Youtube app in every way.

As JetSpiegal said, I usually just watch it in the browser and it plays fine.