Exile
| Type | Android Utility App |
| Status | Active Development |
| Language | Kotlin |
| Framework | Android Accessibility API |
| License | MIT |
| Repository | Github |
| Download | APK (Android) |
Overview
Exile is a free, open-source Android app that watches the YouTube app in the background and automatically exits the Shorts player the moment it opens.
It was built as a direct alternative to Play Store "Shorts blocker" apps that gate the same basic functionality behind a subscription.
The app runs entirely on-device, has no internet permission, and collects no data of any kind.
Features
- Automatically detects and exits YouTube Shorts in real time
- Built on Android's Accessibility Service API, no root required
- Zero network permissions — cannot transmit data anywhere
- No account, no ads, no analytics, no telemetry
- Fully open source under the MIT license
- Free direct APK download, no Play Store required
Requirements
- Android 8.0 or higher
- YouTube app installed
- Accessibility permission granted to Exile
- Android Studio (only if building from source)
Usage
- Install the APK and open the app
- Grant Exile access under Accessibility Settings
- Open YouTube as normal
- Any Short that opens is automatically closed
Known Limitations
Exile favors simplicity and transparency over broad platform coverage.
- Android only — no iOS equivalent is possible
- Only affects the YouTube app, not YouTube in a browser
- Detection relies on YouTube's internal view IDs, which can change after app updates and require a fix
- Some manufacturers (Vivo, Xiaomi, etc.) aggressively kill background services and may need manual battery exceptions
- Not distributed on the Play Store, so installation requires allowing an unknown source
Future Enhancements
- Support for blocking Instagram Reels and TikTok
- In-app toggle to enable/disable without visiting system settings
- Automatic update checks
- Community-maintained list of current YouTube view IDs
Development Notes
Exile was built to solve a personal problem: existing Shorts blockers were either paywalled or unreliable. The detection logic walks the on-screen accessibility node tree looking for Shorts-specific view IDs and triggers a back action the moment they're found.
Because YouTube periodically renames these internal IDs, the project is maintained openly so the detection logic can be updated quickly by anyone, not just the original author.