Add ability to import PocketTube backups

Checklist

• I checked, but didn't find any duplicates (open OR closed) of this issue in the repo.
• I have read the contribution guidelines given at https://github.com/TeamNewPipe/NewPipe/blob/HEAD/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md.
• This issue contains only one feature request. I will open one issue for every feature I want to request.

Describe the feature you want

I'm using the popular extension PocketTube on my PC, it allows you to group channels (and more), similar to NewPipe. On my mobile devices I'm using NewPipe and there is no easy way to import/export the grouped subscriptions.

The PocketTube backup looks like this

{
"Development": [
        "UCJ3AxeCHGPZkMi3kRfCuiHw",
        "UCvtT19MZW8dq5Wwfu6B0oxw",
        "UCrkPsvLGln62OMZRO6K-llg"
    ],
    "Dokus": [
        "UCLLibJTCy3sXjHLVaDimnpQ",
        "UCV6W8_nrWxJLQakqBHEvT3Q",
    ],
    "Entertainment": [
        "UCdC0An4ZPNr_YiFiYoVbwaw",
        "UC9Ntx-EF3LzKY1nQ5rTUP2g"

How will you/everyone benefit from this feature?

I'm currently not sure how many of you would also need that feature, are there any PocketTube users out there?

[SameenAhnaf]

I am not against these features. This is just my personal opinion.

1. Devs were against SponsorBlock Implementation #3205 as it involves a third-party extension which may potentially risk the privacy. I think, the repeatation of history is not intended.

2. PocketTube security policies simply doesn't match Newpipe's policy.
   A. PocketTube requires a Google account. Newpipe was intended to keep free from Google libraries as all Android phones don't have GMS.
   B. It requires access to your Drive and YouTube subscriptions. Again, privacy policy violation.
   C.Also, the app itself claims no security for our data (from Play Store description).

No guarantee or warranty is given with the use of this "PocketTube: Youtube Subscription Manager" software. The author shall not be held liable for any consequences by its use. Usage of "PocketTube: Subscription Manager for YT" app means that you agree to these terms.

3. The backup solely focuses on channel groups. I know, backup on Newpipe is trickier than ever compared to any other app. But there are some proposed alternatives. See: Sync between devices #5325 and [Feature Request] save your playlists, subscriptions and settings in the cloud #1163
   Also, Windows 11 is expected to support Android apps natively through Amazon App Store. This move from Microsoft paved a way to use Newpipe on PC.

4. YouTube topics support should not be the only logical reason for introducing such an extension. See: YouTube topics support #5336

[triallax]

No guarantee or warranty is given with the use of this "PocketTube: Youtube Subscription Manager" software. The author shall not be held liable for any consequences by its use. Usage of "PocketTube: Subscription Manager for YT" app means that you agree to these terms.

@SameenAhnaf to be clear, this does not imply anything nefarious. GPLv3, which is the license that NewPipe is under, and many other free software licenses have similar terms (I'm not a lawyer though; I might be misinterpreting something, but I'm still fairly confident of what I'm saying here). For example, here's an excerpt from GPLv3:

IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING
WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MODIFIES AND/OR CONVEYS
THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY
GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE
USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF
DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY YOU OR THIRD
PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER PROGRAMS),
EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.

[SameenAhnaf]

@mhmdanas Thanks for the info. Just a reminder if we are ready to introduce Google account support. All devs do need to rethink about it.

Also, PocketTube mostly focuses on channel groups. But Newpipe is much more complex than that. PocketTube has some tiny useful features. But most of them could be separately included as well.

Sorry for my criticism if it was not constructive. However, support for importing backup file from PocketTube could be added.

[gardenappl]

This seems like a feature that could be used without connecting to PocketTube, so I'm not sure how their privacy policy is relevant.

With that said, this is the first time I've heard of PocketTube, this is doesn't look like the kind of app that most NewPipe users would use, and I'm not sure how this grouping feature would fit into NewPipe's UI.

[EmanuelLoos]

Just a reminder if we are ready to introduce Google account support. All devs do need to rethink about it.

@mhmdanas @SameenAhnaf
I really think introducing Google Account Support is a very bad idea because of two reasons:

• Just because the license says there is no warranty it sadly does not mean the developers can not be held legally responsible for what they develop. You cited the GPL and the first line of that quote says just that.
• Even if developing and distributing the software is legal using it needs to be legal too. The Terms of Service which you accept when registering a Google account clearly state that you are not allowed to download videos from YouTube (one reason I deleted my account). If this is actually legally enforcable is a different question but I do not take that risk, not even mentioning the privacy desaster.

[triallax]

@EmanuelLoos I don't think I implied anywhere that this interoperability will be added, I merely was clarifying something I noticed.

However, you did bring that point to my attention. Indeed, we are not going to add Google login support of any form. Thus, this feature cannot be added. Unless somebody can tell me that this isn't required anymore, I'm gonna have to close this.

[gardenappl]

I believe the original suggestion was about importing a "backup" of channel groups from PocketTube, they even provided an example file in JSON format.

So this does not require Google auth, but probably does require adding the concept of "channel groups" into NewPipe, to be able to import these JSON files in the first place.

[triallax]

@gardenappl indeed, the title didn't make that clear. My bad.

the concept of "channel groups" into NewPipe

NewPipe already has channel groups. :)