Custom SponsorBlock instance is never accessed

[0xDEADCADE]

Checklist

• I am using the latest version - 0.21.8
• 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 bug. I will open one issue for every bug report I want to file.

Steps to reproduce the bug

1. Host private SponsorBlock instance
2. Set API URL in NewPipe to http://(server ip)/api/, in my case that's http://192.168.2.151/api/
3. Play any video

Actual behavior

The private SponsorBlock API is never accessed. Thus SponsorBlock does not appear to function on device.
The instance does work, as when tested from a different device using SponsorBlock for Firefox, it functions normally. The instance also works from a web browser on the device running NewPipe, indicating there's no apparent connection issues between the instance server and the device running NewPipe.
When using the official SponsorBlock API, (https://sponsor.ajay.app/api/), everything functions normally.

Expected behavior

NewPipe should send requests to the private SponsorBlock instance, just like it does with the official instance.

Device info

• Android version/Custom ROM version: Android 10, LineageOS 17.1
• Device model: OnePlus Nord

Edit: After posting this issue I saw I was one version behind. I have updated and the issue remains.

[Atemu]

Perhaps because it's not HTTPS?

[PranavBhattarai]

1 curiosity:

After installing, why user has to manually type the https://sponsor.ajay.app/api/ for SponsorBlock to work?!

I really don't understand. For newcomers who are not nerds, this is a strange way to roll a feature.

[Atemu]

It's to make opting into sponsorblock explicit. Using sponsorblock has(had?) privacy downsides. This is more of a relic of when it was intended to go upstream but is still a good UX choice w.r.t. privacy worth keeping IMO.

You also don't need to type it manually, you just need to press the question mark and that has a button for the official API and their privacy policy.

[polymorphicshade]

I have verified that my fork does query whatever endpoint you provide. As long as your private SponsorBlock instance can handle requests in the form "https://<your_end_point>/api/skipSegments/<video_id_hash>?categories=..." then it should work.

<your_end_point> = your private SponsorBlock instance endpoint
<video_id_hash> = the first 4 digits of the YouTube video's SHA256 hash

Can anyone else confirm?