Playing YouTube Videos in the Background has also been a much-wanted functionality for anyone wanting to play music, podcasts or any other audio-heavy content while continuing to do other things. Sure, YouTube only provides this feature directly with a paid subscription, but there are a few simple ways to do it. Here is your recent step-by-step guide on how to play YouTube Videos in the Background, with free and premium options.
Why Do You Want to Play YouTube Videos in the Background?
Background play lets you keep listening to the YouTube videos you love while using other apps or when your phone is stuck in your pocket. Be it music, guided meditation, or even educational content, the screen-off playback with the screen-off is an advantage you cannot take for granted when trying to extend battery life or multitask.
1. Using YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium: The best and easiest way to receive background play and other exclusive features is YouTube Premium. This is a paid service, but it ensures a smooth experience and a myriad of additional benefits apart from background play.
Features of YouTube Premium
- Both YouTube and YouTube Music will be ad-free.
- Background playback, where the videos keep playing, even if you minimize the app or turn off the display.
- Offline Downloads allow you to download videos and watch them without internet access.
How to Sign Up for YouTube Premium
- Launch the YouTube app and tap your profile icon at the top right.
- Select Get YouTube Premium.
- Follow the steps to sign up for a month or a year. YouTube usually offers one month free for beginners.
- If you’re a frequent YouTube user and prefer an ad-free, seamless experience, YouTube Premium is a perfect choice.
2. Using the YouTube Mobile Website (Free Method)
If not, the mobile website is a good alternative for background play without paying for YouTube Premium. On iOS and Android, here are the steps for doing so:
For iPhone Users
- Open Safari or any other browser, go to YouTube.
- Find the video you wish to watch.
- Tap the “AA” icon in the Safari address bar and choose Request Desktop Website once the video plays.
- Replay the video (from Safari: match out to the house screen).
- Swipe down to pull up the Control Center and hit the play button to start playing it in the background.
For Android Users
- Open Chrome and go to www.youtube.com.
- Find and click on the video you want to see play.
- In Chrome, tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Desktop Site.
- Start the video, and go back to your home screen to follow.
- When you pull down the notification tray, you will see playback controls for continuing the video in the background.
- The mobile website has a nice layout for casual background plays here and there, but it can be annoying to use if you do it often.
3. Using Third-Party Apps (Android Only)
There are a few third-party apps on the Google Play Store that enable background play, including YouTube Vanced, which is perhaps the most widely used of them all. YouTube Vanced, on the other hand, got a facelift a couple of years later, in 2022, as it also got discontinued. Fortunately, a substitute in the form of Revanced has come to the rescue.
4. Using Revanced to Continue Playing In The Background
You will need to then download the Revanced app directly from the Revanced website (because this app is not on the Google Play Store).
- Follow the instructions on the screen to install the app.
- Launch Revanced and sign in to your YouTube account.
- Play any video, and it will instantly enable background play without requiring a premium subscription.
Disclaimer: Although these apps might be free of charge, technically, they are not official and could pose threats to your security. Download only from trusted sources to protect your device.
Picture-in-Picture Mode (PiP)
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) is a new capability introduced on most Android and iOS gadgets that can return the YouTube video to a small, movable window of your screen. It is not exactly background play, but it allows you to access other tasks without stopping the video.
Using PiP on Android
- Open Settings > Apps & Notifications > Special app access > PiP
- Find YouTube and enable PiP — at least as a test.
- Launch the YouTube app and play a video. Tap on the home button, and the video will reduce to a tiny window.
Using PiP on iOS
At present, PiP for YouTube is available exclusively to YouTube Premium users using iOS devices. Nonetheless, PiP has finally been rolling out to all US-based iOS users through YouTube as of late. For the rest, YouTube Premium subscribers go global with this feature.
5. Using YouTube Music for Background Listening
YouTube Music, though free, does have a catch if you’re mostly interested in music and not exploring other content. However, you can still play audio-only in the background when using it for free, which is ideal if you just want to listen to songs on the app.
How to Use YouTube Music for Background Play?
- Once you choose to play back a song, background play will automatically be enabled on YouTube Music, as illustrated here.
- You can download YouTube Music from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Open the app and choose the track or playlist.
If you are a free user, then you can use the app for audio only, without video playback.
If you like videos with audio, the YouTube Music app does the job quite well. The ads will disappear, but if you upgrade to YouTube Music Premium, they’ll also disappear, and you’ll be able to download songs for offline listening as well.
6. Background Play Using Split-Screen (Android)
You can also get creative with other Android features like split-screen mode to watch YouTube in the background. That lets you play YouTube on one part of your screen while using the other apps.
How to Use Split-Screen for YouTube Background Play
- Launch the YouTube app and begin playing the video you want to watch.
- Pull up the recent app’s menu, press and hold the YouTube icon, and choose Split screen.
- Next, launch another application at the bottom half of the display.
On Android devices, this method isn’t technically background play, but it enables you to multitask effectively on your Android device.
Conclusion
There are some ways to play YouTube videos in the background without having to pay for Premium. If you want the simplest way to do it, YouTube Premium is still the way to go. But then, there are free ways to use it, too, through the mobile website or through 3rd party apps to accomplish the same. Additional features for Android users will be PiP mode and split-screen. Both these methods have their advantages and disadvantages, but with these solutions, you can listen to YouTube videos and be productive at the same time.
FAQs
- Is it free to play YouTube in the background?
Right or free alternatives include using the mobile browser or PiP mode on Androids.
- Are there any other perks that come with YouTube Premium?
It also involves ad-free viewing, playback in the background, offline downloads, and the YouTube Music accessories plan.
- Is it safe to use a third-party app such as Revanced?
Another secret is always to download apps from trusted sites, as third-party apps can bring some risks.
- How can I enable PiP on YouTube for iOS?
PiP is part of Premium, but it is also being gradually rolled out to some free users in certain regions.
- Can YouTube Music play in the background for free?
The answer is yes! The YouTube Music app does not have background playback restrictions, so it will still work perfectly even if you close the app.
Check out: YouTube upgrades the mobile app to the improved TV experience.
Source@techsaa: Read more at: Technology Week Blog
