How to Keep the YouTube App Playing in the Background: A Definitive Guide

Want to listen to your favorite YouTube music or podcasts while multitasking on your phone? The frustrating truth is that the official YouTube app doesn’t natively support background playback for all users without a YouTube Premium subscription. However, fear not! While YouTube Premium provides the most seamless experience, there are still viable workarounds and alternative methods to enjoy audio-only YouTube content in the background on both Android and iOS devices. This guide will dissect these options, providing clear instructions and crucial context so you can reclaim your multitasking freedom.

Android: Workarounds and Third-Party Solutions

Android’s inherent flexibility opens up several pathways for background YouTube playback. The best method depends on your device, patience, and tolerance for slightly less official routes.

Using a Web Browser

This is the most universal workaround. Instead of using the YouTube app, access YouTube through a web browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Samsung Internet.

1. Open your preferred web browser.
2. Navigate to the YouTube website.
3. Search for the video you want to play.
4. Begin playback.
5. Once the video starts, minimize the browser (go to your home screen or switch to another app).
6. The audio should initially stop. Now, swipe down from the top of your screen to access your notification shade.
7. You should see media playback controls from the browser. Press the “Play” button to resume audio playback in the background.

This method relies on the browser’s ability to maintain audio playback even when it’s not the active app. Some browsers may require you to enable “desktop mode” in their settings for this to work consistently.

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode

Some Android devices support Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode for web browsers. This is essentially a variation of the browser method, but instead of just audio, you’ll see a small, floating video window on your screen.

1. Ensure PiP mode is enabled for your browser in your Android settings. Usually, this can be found under “Apps & notifications” -> “Advanced” -> “Picture-in-picture.”
2. Follow steps 1-4 from the web browser method above.
3. Instead of just minimizing the browser, tap the PiP icon (usually a square inside another square) within the browser’s video player controls.
4. The video will now play in a small, movable window on your screen, allowing you to use other apps simultaneously. You can drag the PiP window around and resize it.
5. To listen to audio only, you can minimize the PiP window to the edge of the screen. The audio will continue playing.

Third-Party Apps (Use with Caution)

Numerous third-party apps claim to offer background YouTube playback. These apps essentially wrap the YouTube API and provide additional features, including background playback, ad blocking, and more. Popular options include NewPipe and YouTube Vanced (although YouTube Vanced has been discontinued, older versions might still work).

• Disclaimer: Using third-party apps comes with risks. These apps are not officially sanctioned by Google, and there’s always a possibility of malware, data privacy issues, or incompatibility with future YouTube updates. Use them at your own risk.

Before installing any third-party app, research its reputation thoroughly, read user reviews, and ensure it’s from a reputable source.

YouTube Premium

The most straightforward and legitimate way to enable background playback on Android is by subscribing to YouTube Premium. This paid service offers several benefits, including ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and, crucially, background playback across all devices logged into your Google account.

iOS: Limited Options, but Still Possible

iOS offers fewer direct workarounds compared to Android, primarily due to Apple’s stricter app ecosystem.

Safari Browser: The Primary Option

The Safari browser is your best bet for achieving background playback on iOS without YouTube Premium. The process is similar to the Android browser method:

1. Open Safari.
2. Navigate to the YouTube website.
3. Search for and begin playing the video.
4. Minimize Safari.
5. If the audio stops, access the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones).
6. Locate the media playback controls and tap the “Play” button to resume audio playback.

Like with Android, some iOS versions and Safari configurations might require enabling “Request Desktop Website” in Safari’s settings for this to work consistently.

YouTube Premium (Again)

As with Android, YouTube Premium unlocks effortless background playback on your iPhone and other iOS devices. This is the most reliable and officially supported method.

Third-Party Apps (Very Risky on iOS)

While some third-party apps promise background YouTube playback on iOS, they are significantly rarer and riskier than on Android. Apple’s App Store policies are much stricter, making it difficult for such apps to gain approval and remain available for long. We strongly advise against installing such apps unless you are absolutely certain about their safety and trustworthiness. The risk of malware and privacy breaches is considerably higher than with Android.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

1. Why doesn’t the official YouTube app support background playback without Premium?

Google uses background playback as a key incentive for subscribing to YouTube Premium. It’s a feature they reserve for paying customers to encourage subscriptions and generate revenue.

2. Does YouTube Music offer background playback without Premium?

No. YouTube Music, even as a standalone app, requires a YouTube Premium subscription for background playback. If you don’t have premium, YouTube Music stops playing when you lock your screen or switch to another app.

3. Will YouTube eventually block all browser workarounds for background playback?

It’s possible. YouTube has been known to implement measures to prevent unofficial background playback methods. However, users often find new workarounds, so the cat-and-mouse game continues.

4. Does rooting or jailbreaking my device make background playback easier?

Rooting or jailbreaking your device gives you more control over the operating system and allows you to install custom software. While it could potentially enable more reliable background playback solutions, it also voids your warranty and exposes your device to security risks. We don’t recommend it solely for this purpose.

5. I tried the browser method, but the audio keeps stopping. What can I do?

• Ensure your browser is up to date.
• Try enabling “Request Desktop Website” in your browser settings.
• Check your device’s power saving settings. Aggressive power saving modes might kill background processes.
• Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
• Try a different browser.

6. Is there a difference in background playback quality between Premium and the browser method?

Technically, no. Both methods should deliver the same audio quality, depending on the video’s original quality and your internet connection. However, YouTube Premium offers a more seamless and reliable experience without interruptions.

7. Are third-party YouTube apps legal?

The legality of third-party YouTube apps is a grey area. They typically rely on the YouTube API, which Google allows developers to use. However, if an app violates YouTube’s terms of service, such as by blocking ads without permission, it could face legal challenges. The legality also depends on the specific features of the app.

8. Can I download YouTube videos for offline playback and then play them in the background?

Downloading YouTube videos directly from the platform without a Premium subscription is generally against YouTube’s terms of service. However, if you download videos through a legitimate method (e.g., with YouTube Premium) or use a program to download legally obtained videos, then playing those videos in the background depends on the player you use. Many media players support background audio playback.

9. Does disabling battery optimization help with browser background playback?

Yes, disabling battery optimization for your browser can significantly improve the reliability of background playback. Battery optimization often restricts background processes to conserve power, which can interrupt audio playback. Go to your device’s settings and find the battery optimization settings for your browser and set it to “Don’t optimize” or “Unrestricted.”

10. What happens if I get a call while playing YouTube in the background?

Typically, the audio playback will pause during the call and resume automatically once the call ends. This behavior is controlled by your device’s operating system and may vary slightly.

11. Can I use Bluetooth headphones with background YouTube playback?

Yes, Bluetooth headphones work seamlessly with both YouTube Premium and browser-based background playback. The audio will be routed to your headphones as expected.

12. Why does the background playback sometimes stop after a few minutes or hours?

This can be due to several factors, including:

• Aggressive memory management: Your device might be killing background processes to free up memory.
• Network connectivity issues: A weak or unstable internet connection can interrupt playback.
• Browser or app bugs: Software glitches can sometimes cause unexpected behavior. Try restarting your device or clearing the app’s cache.
• OS updates: Sometimes a new OS update creates new limitations on background playing.