If your device is completely out of storage space, or if the App Store tricks fail, turning the YouTube mobile website into a dedicated home screen app is the best alternative. The mobile web version is optimized well for older processors. on your iPhone or iPad.
It's important to understand the "why" to appreciate the solution. When YouTube stopped loading on iOS 12.5.7, it wasn't because of a single app update. It was due to that Google made in late 2025 and early 2026. Think of it like this: your older YouTube app is speaking a language that the modern YouTube servers no longer fully understand. The home feed fails to load, search returns empty results, and the app seems broken.
All three methods are viable ways to get YouTube on your iOS 12.5.7 device.
If the native legacy app gives you a stubborn "Update Required" loop that blocks playback, the web application provides an un-brickable experience without consuming system memory.
Even if you install version 12.57,