[YouTube] Subscriptions import fails under certain scenarios

[zhihengq]

Checklist

• I am able to reproduce the bug with the latest version given here: CLICK THIS LINK.
• I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - which I could contribute my information to.
• I have read the FAQ and my problem isn't listed.
• I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the bug report will be dismissed otherwise.
• This issue contains only one bug.
• I have read and understood the contribution guidelines.
• I have read and understood the AI policy. The content of this bug report is not generated by AI.

Affected version

0.28.5

Steps to reproduce the bug

1. Try to import subscriptions list which contains any channel that doesn't contain video
2. Go to "Subscriptions" -> press three dots -> "Export to" -> "File" -> Save to a file
3. Press three dots again -> "Import from" -> "Previous export" -> Select the file we just saved -> "OK"

Expected behavior

The app should show "Imported", and the channels are imported correctly.

Actual behavior

The app shows "Could not import subscriptions". No channel is imported.

Logs

Affected Android/Custom ROM version

Additional information

Related investigation how it broke:

#13347 (comment)

More detailed analysis:
#13347 (comment)

[absurdlylongusername]

@zhihengq Please give example of a channel with non-ASCII characters so this can be easily reproduced

[zhihengq]

@zhihengq Please give example of a channel with non-ASCII characters so this can be easily reproduced

For example, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkrEKcRUiaMkG1I3is2fhLA

[kuro68k]

Same issue here, cannot import subscriptions due to non-ASCII characters in channel name.

[NitCelcius]

While investing other related issue, I was actually unable to reproduce; Your provided example worked on my environment.

Try the JSON import with a json file below:

{
  "subscriptions": [
    {"service_id": 0, "url": "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkrEKcRUiaMkG1I3is2fhLA", "name": "曦曦鱼SAKANA OFFICIAL"}],"app_version":"0.28.5","app_version_int":1010
}

For sidenote, here's my environment:

• NewPipe 0.28.5
• Display language: Japanese
• On Google Pixel 8a Build CP1A.260405.005

[kuro68k]

If it's any help, the same file imported without issue into PipePipe.

[ProPeperos]

I'm unable to import subscriptions as well, but the names i have don't have any non-ascii characters, so it might not be it?

[theimpulson]

Maybe related: #13347 (comment)

[NitCelcius]

I'm unable to import subscriptions as well, but the names i have don't have any non-ascii characters, so it might not be it?

There's a special channel type "Topic" (e.g. an artist) which is automatically generated by YouTube and have no "video" feed on the Web. I'm not sure if it's the exact case where this issue is related to, but may worth checking. Note that on Newpipe you can subscribe to those channels.

Here's an JSON which should fail importing:

{
  "subscriptions": [
    {"service_id": 0, "url": "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6IhDHJbJUoRJGUPnlh5GRQ", "name": "kessoku band - topic"}],"app_version":"0.28.5","app_version_int":1010
}

The channel URL https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6IhDHJbJUoRJGUPnlh5GRQ exists and loads properly on browser or offical YouTube app.

As @theimpulson stated, one failure in feed update cause the import to fail(for all channels). Since one example channel with non-ASCII characters succeeded, perhaps we might be facing another cause of import failure? If so, I'll open another issue to discuss.