Tired of YouTube Premium? Play Videos in the Background for Free on Android and iOS!
Do you crave the freedom to listen to music or follow a tutorial while multitasking on your phone without shelling out for YouTube Premium? You’re not alone! While the official YouTube app restricts background playback to paid subscribers, there’s a simple, free workaround that lets you enjoy your favorite YouTube content without limitations. This guide will walk you through the steps, making it easy to seamlessly listen to music, podcasts, or even follow along with tutorials – all while you browse, text, or use other apps.
How to Play YouTube Videos in the Background for Free
This method works seamlessly on both Android and iOS, so whether you’re rocking a Samsung Galaxy or a slick iPhone, you can enjoy this background playback hack.
How to Play YouTube Videos in the Background on Android
- Open the YouTube app on your Android device.
- Tap on the three vertical dots located in the top-right corner of the app.
- Select "Desktop site." This will switch the mobile app interface to a desktop-like version, giving you access to advanced features including background playback.
- Search for the video you want to listen to and open it.
- Play the video. You’ll notice that the video starts playing as usual.
- Exit to the home screen. The video will initially stop playing, but don’t worry!
- Pull down the notification shade. Here, you’ll find the media controls for the video you just played.
- Tap "Play." Your video will now resume playing in the background, allowing you to switch to other apps without interrupting your listening experience!
How to Play YouTube Videos in the Background on iOS
- Open the Safari browser on your iOS device.
- Visit youtube.com.
- Tap the "aA" icon located in the top-left corner of the address bar.
- Select "Request Desktop Website."
- Search for the video you want to play and open it.
- Play the video.
- Exit to the home screen.
- Open Control Center: For iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right of the screen; for iPhones without Face ID, swipe up from the bottom.
- Locate the music controls box in the top-right corner of Control Center.
- Tap "Play." The video will start playing in the background, allowing you to use other apps without interrupting the audio.
Understanding the Background Playback Hack
This workaround leverages a clever trick: forcing the YouTube website to display in a desktop format. Desktop YouTube has always allowed background playback, a feature not available in the official YouTube app. By switching to the desktop version, you temporarily bypass the restrictions and gain access to this handy function.
While this method allows you to enjoy background playback for free, it’s important to be aware of a couple of limitations:
- No Picture-in-Picture: While you can listen to the audio in the background, you won’t be able to see the video itself. For videos where the visual component is essential, this method might not be ideal.
- Potentially Higher Data Usage: If you plan to frequently listen to videos in the background, especially high-quality streams, be mindful of your data usage.
Alternatives to YouTube Premium
If background playback is a must-have for you, but you don’t want to subscribe to YouTube Premium, consider exploring these alternatives:
- Other Music Streaming Services: Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora offer unlimited ad-free music streaming and even allow background playback for offline listening.
- YouTube Music: YouTube’s dedicated music streaming service provides a vast library and background playback features, often at a lower price compared to YouTube Premium.
- Third-Party Apps: Some third-party apps like "YouTube Vanced" have provided background playback options in the past, however, their legality and sustainability can be questionable.
While YouTube Premium provides an official and seamless experience for background playback and other benefits, this simple hack offers a viable alternative for those who would prefer to continue utilizing the free version of YouTube. By switching to the desktop website, you can unlock background playback capabilities and enjoy your favorite YouTube content in a way that suits your needs.
