One of the major issues with the YouTube app on Android is that it only plays back HD videos if your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Over 3G, the app only provides the option to playback videos in “HQ” mode.

With Android devices now packing full HD and higher resolution screens, watching videos on HQ mode is quite an eyesore. At the very least, Google should provide an option to view videos in HD mode even when streaming videos over mobile network.

Thankfully, a developer over at XDA forums has released a modded version of the YouTube app that allows for 720p/1080p video playback over 3G or Wi-Fi. The app will be especially handy for DROID DNA, HTC One, Galaxy S4 and other 1080p Android handset users, where videos in HQ mode don’t do justice to the screen of these phones.

The app even allows you to stream full HD videos on Android devices with non-HD screen. While on paper it may seem senseless, the difference in quality is definitely noticeable. The only downside to this app is that it will only work on Android devices that have root access.

1. Head over to this thread on XDA forums, and download the modded YouTube APK.

2. Before you install this app, you will need to remove the existing YouTube app from your phone. Use an app like Root Explorer or ES File Explorer and navigate to /system/app directory on your Android device and simply delete the YouTube app APK from there.

Alternatively, you can install Root Uninstaller from the Play Store and use it to uninstall the YouTube app.

3. Now, transfer the APK that you downloaded in Step 1 to your phone. Using an app like Root Explorer, copy the APK file to the /system/app directory.

As a bonus, the modded YouTube APK continues playing back a video even after your device screen is turned off. Once you install the APK, enable the option to watch HD videos on Wi-Fi, 3G and the screen-off video playback from under Advanced Settings of the app.

A downside to using the modded version of the YouTube app is that every time Google releases a new update for the YouTube app, you will need to manually download the latest modded APK from XDA and install it.