Control Panel for YouTube is a browser extension that adds a large collection of customization options to YouTube. It is designed to give users more control over the site's interface and behavior by restoring older layouts, hiding unwanted elements, adding missing controls, and changing how videos and channel pages are displayed.
The extension works with both desktop and mobile browsers and is actively maintained to adapt to changes made to YouTube's interface. Recent updates have included fixes for channel layouts, thumbnail grids, mobile controls, and other YouTube UI changes.
Features
Control Panel for YouTube provides a large collection of optional settings covering YouTube's player, pages, navigation, and visual layout.
Features include:
Hide unwanted YouTube interface elements
Customize video page layouts
Hide related videos
Hide video metadata
Hide channel banners
Hide Shorts-related interface elements
Hide selected menu items
Customize thumbnail grids
Full-width channel pages
Change the number of grid items per row
Restore alternative list layouts
Hide watched videos
Hide live videos
Hide Movies and TV items
Disable Stable Volume
Customize hover effects
Disable selected keyboard shortcuts
Customize full-screen controls
Mobile interface customization
Desktop interface customization
Multiple language translations
The extension also includes options for reducing parts of YouTube's interface that some users may not need, such as certain sharing controls, sidebars, buttons, and navigation elements.
Install or Upgrade Control Panel for YouTube v1.38.1 - Software Mirrors |
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Control Panel for YouTube v1.38.1 Source Codecontrol_panel_for_youtube-1.38.1.mv2.zip | 130.13 kB control_panel_for_youtube-1.38.1.mv3.zip | 130.04 kB |
Control Panel for YouTube v1.38.1 Release Notes:Visit the Control Panel for YouTube website for installation links, more information about the extension, and FAQs (mostly about Safari). Follow @soitis.dev on Bluesky or @ControlPanelFT on Twitter for updates.Changes
Availability (1/5)New versions have to be reviewed and approved for each browser before they're available to install or upgrade to. This version is available for the following browsers: |
Performance and Compatibility
Control Panel for YouTube is a browser extension rather than a standalone application, so its resource usage is tied to the browser and the YouTube pages where it operates.
Its main compatibility challenge is YouTube itself. Because the extension modifies YouTube's interface, changes made by YouTube can temporarily break individual features. The project's release history shows regular fixes for changes to YouTube's CSS, layouts, menus, channel pages, and mobile interface.
The extension supports desktop and mobile browsers, with browser availability varying by platform. The project also maintains a Safari version and provides specific instructions for enabling the extension on macOS and iOS.
The project currently has open reports involving YouTube's Home feed, Firefox Mobile, channel hiding, and other interface changes, showing that compatibility can depend on the current YouTube implementation and browser.
System Requirements
Control Panel for YouTube runs as a browser extension, so requirements depend primarily on the supported browser and platform.
It is available for desktop and mobile browsers, including support for Safari on macOS and iOS. The exact browser availability should be checked on the project's installation page because extension support differs between browsers.
No separate desktop application or server is required.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Free browser extension
Large number of YouTube customization options
Works on desktop and mobile browsers
Can hide unwanted interface elements
Customizable channel layouts
Thumbnail grid controls
Video page customization
Mobile-specific options
Supports multiple languages
Regular compatibility fixes
Open-source project
Cons
Depends heavily on YouTube's changing interface
Individual features can break after YouTube updates
Large number of settings can take time to configure
Browser support varies by platform
Some features may behave differently between desktop and mobile
How to Install
Visit the Control Panel for YouTube installation page and select the browser you use. The project maintains separate distribution options depending on the browser and platform.
After installing the extension:
Open YouTube.
Open the Control Panel for YouTube settings.
Enable or disable the options you want.
Reload YouTube if a change requires it.
Adjust individual settings until the interface matches your preferred layout.
Safari users may need to manually enable the extension after installing it, particularly on macOS and iOS.
Final Verdict
Control Panel for YouTube is a useful customization extension for users who want more control over YouTube's interface than the site normally provides. Its extensive settings cover everything from video pages and channel layouts to mobile controls, thumbnails, navigation, and unwanted interface elements.
Its main limitation is its dependency on YouTube's constantly changing website. The project's regular updates and fixes help maintain compatibility, but individual features can still require updates when YouTube changes its interface.
For users who want to customize YouTube rather than accept its default interface, Control Panel for YouTube provides a broad collection of practical options in one extension.