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How to Play Music from YouTube While Using Another App?

Ah, the eternal question. How do we unlock the full potential of YouTube’s audio library without being shackled to the YouTube app itself? The answer, thankfully, isn’t some arcane ritual involving sacrificing your data plan. It’s surprisingly straightforward, though the exact method depends on your operating system and preferred style.

In essence, to play YouTube music in the background while using another app, you need to bypass YouTube’s default behavior of pausing playback when you leave the app. The most common ways to achieve this involve:

YouTube Premium Subscription: This is the official, and arguably the most seamless, solution.
Using a Web Browser: Many browsers, especially on Android, allow you to play YouTube in the background.
Third-Party Apps: Several apps are designed specifically for background YouTube playback (use with caution due to potential privacy and terms of service concerns).
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode: Available on some devices and operating systems, PiP can keep a mini-YouTube window playing while you use other apps.

Let’s dive into each of these options in detail.

YouTube Premium: The Official Solution

This is the simplest, though not free, method. YouTube Premium is a subscription service offered by YouTube that unlocks several benefits, including:

Ad-free viewing: Say goodbye to those pesky pre-roll ads.
Background playback: Music continues playing even when you switch to another app or lock your screen.
YouTube Music Premium: Access to YouTube’s dedicated music streaming service with offline downloads.
Offline Downloads: Save videos for viewing later, even without an internet connection.

If you are a frequent YouTube music listener, the ad-free experience and background playback alone might justify the cost. The YouTube Music Premium perk is the cherry on top.

Setting up YouTube Premium

The process is remarkably straightforward:

Open the YouTube app.
Tap your profile icon (usually in the top right corner).
Select “Get YouTube Premium.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a plan and subscribe.

Once subscribed, background playback should be enabled automatically. Ensure it’s activated in your app settings just to be sure.

The Web Browser Workaround

This method leverages the fact that some mobile web browsers don’t enforce the same playback restrictions as the YouTube app. This is especially true for Android users.

Steps to Play YouTube in the Background via a Web Browser

Choose your browser: Chrome, Firefox, or Brave are popular choices. Brave Browser has the added benefit of built-in ad blocking, which emulates the experience of YouTube Premium.
Open YouTube in the browser: Navigate to YouTube’s website (youtube.com) directly in the browser.
Find your music: Search for the video or playlist you want to listen to.
Start playback: Begin playing the video.
Switch to another app: Exit the browser. The music should initially stop.
Access the media controls: Pull down your notification shade (on Android) or access the Control Center (on iOS). You should see media controls for the browser.
Press “Play”: Tap the play button. The music should now resume playing in the background.

Important Notes:

This method works best on Android. iOS is more restrictive, but sometimes it works, especially with Brave.
Ensure you’re using the desktop version of YouTube in your browser settings for optimal performance.
Some browsers may have background playback disabled by default. Check the browser settings to enable it.

Third-Party Apps: Proceed with Caution

Numerous third-party apps claim to offer background YouTube playback. While some are legitimate, others might violate YouTube’s terms of service or pose security risks. Always exercise extreme caution when installing third-party apps, especially those that require your Google account information.

How to approach Third-Party Apps

Research thoroughly: Read reviews, check app permissions, and research the developer’s reputation.
Prioritize security: Only download apps from reputable sources like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Even then, be cautious.
Be wary of excessive permissions: If an app requests permissions that seem unrelated to its functionality, it’s a red flag.
Read the terms of service: Understand how the app uses your data and whether it complies with YouTube’s policies.
Alternatives to Consider: Look at apps like NewPipe (Android only) which is an open-source YouTube player that prioritizes privacy.

Disclaimer: We do not endorse any specific third-party YouTube apps. Use them at your own risk.

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode allows you to watch a video in a small, floating window while using other apps. While primarily designed for video viewing, it can also be used to listen to music from YouTube in the background.

Enabling Picture-in-Picture

Android: PiP is generally supported on Android 8.0 (Oreo) and later. Check your device settings under “Apps & notifications” or “Special app access” to ensure PiP is enabled for YouTube.
iOS: PiP is available on iOS 14 and later. It might require a YouTube Premium subscription or using a browser like Safari.

Using PiP for Background Playback

Start playing a YouTube video in the YouTube app or a supported browser.
Exit the app or browser. If PiP is enabled, the video should shrink into a small, floating window.
You can now use other apps while the video continues playing in the background. The audio will continue even when you move the PiP window off-screen.

Limitations:

The availability of PiP for YouTube varies depending on your device, operating system, and YouTube Premium status.
You might still need a YouTube Premium subscription to use PiP in the official YouTube app on iOS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it legal to use third-party apps to play YouTube in the background?

The legality is grey. YouTube’s terms of service generally prohibit circumventing their advertising and subscription models. Third-party apps that block ads or offer background playback without a Premium subscription might be violating these terms. While you likely won’t face legal repercussions as an individual user, YouTube could take action against the app developers.

2. Will background playback drain my battery faster?

Yes, background playback will consume more battery than simply pausing the video. The extent of the battery drain depends on the app or method you’re using, your device’s battery capacity, and the screen brightness of the app you are actively using.

3. Can I control playback from my lock screen?

Yes, with most methods, you can control playback (play, pause, skip) from your device’s lock screen or notification shade. This is a standard feature for media playback on both Android and iOS.

4. Does YouTube Premium support offline downloads for music?

Yes, YouTube Premium includes access to YouTube Music Premium, which allows you to download songs and playlists for offline listening.

5. Why does background playback sometimes stop working?

There are several reasons why background playback might stop:

Battery optimization: Your device might be killing background processes to conserve battery. Adjust your battery optimization settings for the YouTube app or your browser.
App updates: Updates to the YouTube app or your browser might change their behavior regarding background playback.
System updates: Operating system updates can also affect background processes.
Network connectivity: A weak or unstable network connection can interrupt playback.

6. Can I use YouTube Music without YouTube Premium?

Yes, you can use the YouTube Music app for free, but you’ll encounter ads and background playback will be restricted.

7. Are there any privacy concerns with using third-party YouTube apps?

Yes, privacy is a significant concern. Some third-party apps might collect your data, track your browsing habits, or even contain malware. Always research an app thoroughly before installing it.

8. Will YouTube crack down on browser-based background playback?

YouTube has historically tried to limit unofficial background playback methods. They might implement changes to their website or app to make it more difficult to circumvent their restrictions. However, browser-based methods have persisted due to their inherent flexibility.

9. Does Picture-in-Picture work with all YouTube videos?

PiP should work with most YouTube videos, but it might be disabled for certain types of content or due to regional restrictions.

10. Can I play YouTube music in the background on my computer?

Yes, the web browser method works on computers as well. Just open YouTube in your browser, start playing the music, and then switch to another application.

11. How do I disable background playback if I no longer want it?

If you’re using YouTube Premium, you can disable background playback in the YouTube app’s settings. If you’re using a browser, simply close the browser tab or stop the video playback.

12. Is there a way to prevent YouTube from suggesting similar videos after my music ends?

Unfortunately, there’s no built-in way to completely prevent YouTube from suggesting similar videos. You can try creating a playlist of the music you want to listen to, which might minimize the chances of autoplay kicking in. However, YouTube’s algorithm is constantly evolving, and it’s difficult to completely control its suggestions.