YouTube

Google LLC · YouTube is a video streaming app that helps you watch, follow, and create content on Android.

Bundle ID com.google.android.youtube
Version analyzed 21.26.364
Build framework Native Android
SDKs detected 6
Analyzed 2026-09-12
Exploratory agent run

What YouTube does

The analyzed application is a high-traffic multimedia streaming and social networking platform designed for the discovery, consumption, and distribution of video content. It utilizes a multi-tab navigation architecture (Home, Shorts, Subscriptions, You) to categorize content delivery, ranging from algorithmic recommendations to user-defined subscription feeds. The system integrates advanced search capabilities, including natural language processing for voice queries and acoustic fingerprinting for song identification, alongside a robust social interaction layer for community engagement.

Observed on screen

  • Short-form Video Interface (Shorts) Provides a vertically scrollable feed for high-engagement, brief video content with integrated social interaction tools like liking, commenting, and sharing.
  • Subscription Management System Aggregates content from followed creators into a dedicated chronological feed to facilitate targeted content consumption.
  • Multimodal Search Engine Supports text-based queries, voice-activated commands, and audio recognition (humming/singing) to locate specific video or audio assets.
  • Content Interaction Suite Enables users to engage with media through metadata-driven actions such as subscribing to channels, remixing audio tracks, and managing notifications.
  • Trending and Primetime Discovery Features curated modules for high-velocity viral content and professional media broadcasts to maximize user retention.
  • User-Centric Data Repository (You) Centralizes account-specific information, viewing history, and personalized settings within a unified profile interface.
  • Audio-Visual Control Layer Implements playback controls including mute functions, sound-source identification, and "More Actions" menus for granular media management.

Written from a FlyTrap agent exploring the app on a real device, not from the store listing. It covers only the screens that run reached, so anything behind a login, paywall or region lock is absent.

Static + runtime analysis

SDKs detected

6 SDKs found across 5 categories. Click any SDK to see every other app that uses it.

All SDKs
Animation 2 SDKs
Authentication 1 SDK
Payments 1 SDK
Push Notifications 1 SDK
From manifest + Info.plist

Permissions requested 13 sensitive

50 permissions requested at runtime. Colors reflect platform sensitivity tier.

Selected photos and videos sensitive

Access only photos and videos the user explicitly selected.

Write storage sensitive

Write files to shared external storage. No-op for apps targeting Android 11+.

Read images sensitive

Read image files from shared storage.

Read videos sensitive

Read video files from shared storage.

Find accounts on device sensitive

Read the list of accounts known to the device.

Camera sensitive

Take pictures and record video.

Read contacts sensitive

Read the user's contacts data.

Precise location sensitive

Access exact location via GPS, cell, and Wi-Fi.

Approximate location sensitive

Access approximate location (network-based).

Microphone sensitive

Record audio from the microphone.

Read phone state sensitive

Read phone state, network info, and the device's phone number.

Local network access sensitive

Access devices on the local network.

Post notifications sensitive

Post notifications to the system.

Internet access standard

Open network sockets.

Network state standard

Read connectivity information.

Wi-Fi state standard

Read Wi-Fi connection information.

Run at startup standard

Receive the BOOT_COMPLETED broadcast.

MANAGE DOCUMENTS standard
com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ GSERVICES standard
com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE standard
Wake lock standard

Keep the device awake.

NFC standard

Perform I/O over NFC.

Foreground service: camera standard

Required for foreground services of type camera.

Foreground service: screen capture standard

Required for foreground services of type mediaProjection.

Foreground service: microphone standard

Required for foreground services of type microphone.

Vibrate standard

Control the vibrator.

com.google.android.gms.permission.AD ID NOTIFICATION standard
com.google.android.gms.permission.AD ID standard
com.google.android.youtube.permission.C2D MESSAGE standard
GET PACKAGE SIZE standard
Foreground service standard

Run a foreground service.

Foreground service: data sync standard

Required for foreground services of type dataSync.

Foreground service: media playback standard

Required for foreground services of type mediaPlayback.

RUN USER INITIATED JOBS standard
Fingerprint authentication standard

Authenticate using fingerprint hardware.

Biometric authentication standard

Authenticate using biometric hardware.

Modify audio settings standard

Modify global audio settings.

Display over other apps standard

Draw windows on top of other apps. Granted from system settings.

High sampling rate sensors standard

Read sensor data at a sampling rate greater than 200 Hz.

com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ standard
com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE standard
com.htc.launcher.permission.READ SETTINGS standard
com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE SHORTCUT standard
com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST BADGE standard
com.sonymobile.home.permission.PROVIDER INSERT BADGE standard
ACCESS ADSERVICES ATTRIBUTION standard
ACCESS ADSERVICES AD ID standard
com.google.android.youtube.DYNAMIC RECEIVER NOT EXPORTED PERMISSION standard
In-app billing standard

Use Google Play Billing for in-app purchases and subscriptions.

DETECT SCREEN CAPTURE standard

Frequently asked questions

What FlyTrap detected inside YouTube.

What does YouTube do?

The analyzed application is a high-traffic multimedia streaming and social networking platform designed for the discovery, consumption, and distribution of video content. It utilizes a multi-tab navigation architecture (Home, Shorts, Subscriptions, You) to categorize content delivery, ranging from algorithmic recommendations to user-defined subscription feeds. The system integrates advanced search capabilities, including natural language processing for voice queries and acoustic fingerprinting for song identification, alongside a robust social interaction layer for community engagement. This comes from a FlyTrap agent exploring the app on a real device, so it covers only the screens that run reached.

What is YouTube built with?

YouTube by Google LLC is built with Native Android. FlyTrap determined this by analyzing the app's compiled binary, not from anything the developer published.

What SDKs does YouTube use?

FlyTrap detected 6 third-party SDKs inside YouTube, including Firebase Analytics, Firebase Cloud Messaging and Google Sign-In. They span areas such as Analytics, Push Notifications, Authentication and Payments. The full list, grouped by category, is on this page.

What permissions does YouTube request?

YouTube requests 50 permissions. 13 of these are sensitive, such as Selected photos and videos, Write storage and Read images. Each is listed above with its platform sensitivity tier.

Is YouTube safe to use?

FlyTrap reports what an app contains, it does not issue a safety verdict. YouTube requests 50 permissions (13 sensitive) and bundles 6 third-party SDKs. Reviewing those alongside the developer helps you decide what you are comfortable granting.

What platforms is YouTube available on?

The version FlyTrap analyzed targets Android.