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How to Play YouTube Music in the Background on Phone: The Definitive Guide

Want to listen to your favorite YouTube Music tracks while browsing the web, checking your emails, or simply having your phone screen off? You’re in the right place. Playing YouTube Music in the background on your phone used to be a tricky proposition, reserved mostly for premium subscribers. But with clever workarounds and evolving platform features, there are now several ways to achieve this. Let’s dive in and explore the best methods for both Android and iOS.

The most straightforward way to play YouTube Music in the background is by subscribing to YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium. This official method grants you unrestricted access to background playback, ad-free listening, and offline downloads. However, if you’re not ready to commit to a paid subscription, don’t worry! This guide will provide you with a range of alternative methods, from browser-based solutions to third-party apps, ensuring you can enjoy your music uninterrupted.

Methods for Android

Android’s flexibility allows for several methods to play YouTube Music in the background, some more reliable than others. Here are the most popular and effective options:

YouTube Premium/Music Premium

As mentioned earlier, the official route is undoubtedly the easiest. With a YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium subscription, simply start playing your music in the YouTube Music app, and it will continue playing even when you switch to another app or lock your screen. This is the most seamless and legally sound method.

Using a Mobile Browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)

This method involves using a mobile browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to access the YouTube Music website. Here’s how:

Open your preferred mobile browser.
Go to music.youtube.com.
Sign in with your Google account if you aren’t already.
Find and start playing the song or playlist you want to listen to.
Crucially, switch your browser to desktop mode. This setting is usually found in the browser’s menu (often represented by three dots or lines).
Once in desktop mode, minimize the browser or lock your screen. The music should initially stop.
Pull down your notification shade or access the lock screen controls. You should see playback controls for YouTube Music.
Tap the play button to resume playback.

This method works because, in desktop mode, YouTube treats the mobile browser more like a desktop application, allowing background playback. It may occasionally be interrupted, but it’s generally a reliable workaround.

Third-Party Apps (Use with Caution)

Several third-party apps claim to enable background YouTube Music playback. However, proceed with caution when using these.

Risk of Malware: Some of these apps may contain malware or track your data.
Violation of Terms of Service: Using unauthorized apps may violate YouTube’s terms of service, potentially leading to account suspension.
App Stability: The functionality of these apps can be unreliable and may break with YouTube updates.

That being said, some reputable apps exist, but ensure you thoroughly research reviews and permissions before installing anything. A common feature is the ability to play YouTube content as a “floating popup,” bypassing YouTube’s restrictions.

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode (If Supported)

Some Android devices support Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode for certain apps. While PiP isn’t directly designed for YouTube Music, if you can trigger PiP mode while playing a YouTube Music video, it can effectively achieve background playback with a small, floating window displaying the video. This depends on your device’s specific Android version and manufacturer customization.

Methods for iOS

iOS, while generally more restrictive than Android, still offers some options for background YouTube Music playback:

YouTube Premium/Music Premium (Same as Android)

Again, the most straightforward and recommended method is a YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium subscription. This allows seamless background playback within the official YouTube Music app.

Using Safari (Browser Method)

Similar to the Android browser method, you can use Safari to play YouTube Music in the background on iOS:

Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to music.youtube.com.
Sign in to your Google account.
Start playing your desired music.
Request the desktop version of the website. You can usually find this option in the “Aa” menu in the Safari address bar.
Minimize Safari or lock your screen. The music will likely stop.
Access the Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhones with Face ID, or swipe up from the bottom on iPhones with a Home button).
You should see playback controls for YouTube Music. Tap the play button to resume playback.

This method relies on YouTube recognizing Safari in desktop mode as a desktop browser, thus allowing background audio.

Shortcut Automation (Advanced)

For more advanced users, you can create a Shortcut using the Shortcuts app on iOS to automate the process of opening YouTube Music in Safari, requesting the desktop site, and playing the music. This requires some technical knowledge, but it can streamline the process considerably.

Third-Party Apps (Exercise Caution – Same as Android)

As with Android, numerous third-party apps claim to enable background YouTube playback on iOS. Use extreme caution when considering these apps due to potential security risks and policy violations. Verify the app’s legitimacy and carefully review its permissions before installation.

Important Considerations

Battery Life: Background playback, especially when using browser-based methods, can consume more battery than using the official app with a premium subscription.
Data Usage: Streaming music in the background can significantly increase your data usage, especially if you’re not on Wi-Fi.
Legal Considerations: While browser-based methods are generally considered acceptable workarounds, using unauthorized third-party apps could potentially violate YouTube’s terms of service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does YouTube Music Premium include YouTube Premium?

No, YouTube Music Premium only provides ad-free listening, background playback, and offline downloads within the YouTube Music app. YouTube Premium, on the other hand, includes all the benefits of YouTube Music Premium, plus ad-free viewing across all YouTube videos and YouTube Originals.

2. Why does YouTube Music stop playing in the background after a while?

Several factors can cause this, including aggressive battery optimization settings on your phone, network connectivity issues, or YouTube updates that may affect the browser-based workarounds.

3. How do I disable battery optimization for YouTube Music (or my browser)?

On Android, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization. Find YouTube Music (or your browser) in the list and select “Don’t Optimize.” The specific steps may vary depending on your Android version. On iOS, you cannot directly disable battery optimization for individual apps.

4. Can I download YouTube Music songs for offline listening without a Premium subscription?

Officially, no. Offline downloads are a feature exclusive to YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers. Third-party apps claiming to offer this functionality should be approached with extreme caution.

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

While using third-party apps to bypass YouTube’s restrictions might not be explicitly illegal in some jurisdictions, it often violates YouTube’s terms of service, potentially leading to account suspension.

6. How can I check if a third-party app is safe to use?

Before installing any third-party app, research its reviews, check its permissions (does it request unnecessary access to your phone?), and look for information about its developers. Exercise extreme caution if the app requires invasive permissions or comes from an unknown source.

7. Will YouTube ever allow free background playback for YouTube Music?

This is ultimately up to YouTube’s business decisions. Currently, background playback is a premium feature. While they might change their policy in the future, there’s no indication that they will do so in the near term.

8. Does the browser method work on all Android and iOS devices?

The browser method generally works on most Android and iOS devices, but its reliability can vary depending on the browser version, device settings, and YouTube updates. It’s a workaround, not a guaranteed solution.

9. How much data does YouTube Music use in the background?

Data usage depends on the audio quality setting you choose. Lower quality settings use less data, while higher quality settings use more. Streaming over Wi-Fi is always recommended to minimize data consumption.

10. Are there any alternatives to YouTube Music for background music playback?

Yes, numerous music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Tidal offer background playback as a standard feature.

11. Can I use a VPN to bypass YouTube’s restrictions on background playback?

Using a VPN is unlikely to bypass YouTube’s restrictions on background playback. YouTube primarily identifies your account status, not your location, to determine whether you’re eligible for premium features.

12. What if the browser method stops working?

YouTube frequently updates its platform, which can break the browser-based workarounds. If the method stops working, check for browser updates, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, or consider alternative methods discussed in this article.