How to play YouTube videos in the background if you don’t have an active subscription or plan to do so. Read the article fully and at the end, you will find a bonus tip that is still unknown to 90% of internet users.
Love watching YouTube but want to do other things on your phone at the same time? Whether you’re listening to music or watching your favorite videos, it can be a pain to keep the app open. But don’t worry—there are easy ways to play YouTube in the background! Here’s a simple and friendly guide to show you how no matter what device you’re using.
How to Play YouTube Videos in the Background
1. Get YouTube Premium (iOS & Android)
The easiest way to play YouTube in the background is with YouTube Premium. This subscription gives you ad-free videos, background play, and other awesome perks.
- Step 1: Sign up for YouTube Premium either in the YouTube app or on the YouTube Premium website.
- Step 2: Open the YouTube app and start playing a video.
- Step 3: Close the app or switch to another one—the video will keep playing in the background.
Bonus: You can control the playback from your phone’s notification panel (Android) or Control Center (iOS).
Pro Tip: YouTube Premium also gives you access to YouTube Music, which is perfect for music lovers!
2. Use Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode (iOS & Android)
Want to keep an eye on your YouTube video while using other apps? Try Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode! It minimizes the video into a small window you can move around your screen.
- For Android:
- Make sure your device is running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher.
- Open the YouTube app, play a video, and hit the home button or swipe up. The video will shrink into a movable mini-player.
- For iOS:
- Make sure your iPhone or iPad is updated to iOS 14 or higher.
- Use Safari to visit the YouTube website (since PiP in the app is only for Premium users).
- Play a video in full-screen mode, then swipe up to use PiP.
Note: PiP might not be available in some regions without a Premium account.
3. Play YouTube in the Background Using Safari or Chrome (iOS & Android)
If you don’t have Premium or access to PiP, there’s a neat trick using your browser.
- For iOS (Safari):
- Open Safari and visit youtube.com.
- Search for your video and tap the “AA” icon in the address bar, then choose “Request Desktop Site.”
- Play the video, then exit Safari by pressing the home button or swiping up. The video will pause.
- Open the Control Center and hit play—your video will continue in the background!
- For Android (Chrome):
- Open Chrome and go to youtube.com.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner, then select “Desktop site.”
- Play your video, leave Chrome, and swipe down to your notifications to hit play. The video will continue in the background!
4. Use Third-Party Apps (Android)
Android users can try a few third-party apps that support background playback. Just be careful since these apps aren’t official.
- NewPipe: This lightweight, open-source app lets you watch YouTube ad-free and play videos in the background.
- Step 1: Download NewPipe from a trusted site (it’s not available on Google Play).
- Step 2: Search for your video in NewPipe and play it.
- Step 3: Close the app, and your video will continue in the background.
5. Using Brave Browser on Android
If you are an Android user then it’s all gain for you. Just do the below steps.
- Step 1: Download the Brave Browser app from Google Play.
- Open the browser and in a tap open YouTube.
- Step 2: Sign in with your YouTube account.
- Step 3: Start playing your favorite songs or videos.
- Step 4: Exit the app, and your music will continue in the background.
Final Thoughts on How to Play YouTube Videos in the Background
Playing YouTube videos in the background is super helpful when you’re multitasking. Whether you subscribe to YouTube Premium, use PiP, or try some browser tricks, there’s a way that will work for you. Give it a try and see what fits your style!
If you have any questions or need more help, feel free to ask. Happy multitasking! And that was how to play YouTube videos in the background.