Have you ever desired to listen to your preferred tunes or podcasts on YouTube while multitasking on your phone? Sadly, YouTube does not have a built-in feature to play videos in the background. But fret not! This article will provide you with a straightforward solution to enable YouTube to play in the background on your Android or iOS device.
Android Devices
If you’re an Android user, there are a few methods you can use to play YouTube in the background. Let’s explore two popular options:
Method 1: Using YouTube Premium
If you’re a YouTube Premium subscriber, you’re in luck! YouTube Premium allows you to play videos in the background, even when your phone’s screen is turned off or you’re using other apps. It also removes ads and offers offline playback.
To use this method:
- Open the YouTube app on your Android device.
- Log into your YouTube Premium account.
- Find the video you want to play in the background.
- Start playing the video.
- Exit the YouTube app or turn off your screen.
- The video will continue playing in the background.
Note that YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service. If you’re not already a subscriber, you’ll need to sign up for YouTube Premium to use this method.
Method 2: Using a Third-Party App
If you don’t have a YouTube Premium subscription or prefer not to pay for it, you can use a third-party app to play YouTube in the background on your Android device. One popular app for this purpose is YouTube Vanced.
To use this method:
- Download and install the YouTube Vanced app from the official website.
- Open the YouTube Vanced app and log into your Google account (if prompted).
- Find the video you want to play in the background.
- Start playing the video.
- Exit the YouTube Vanced app or turn off your screen.
- The video will continue playing in the background.
YouTube Vanced also offers additional features like ad-blocking and the ability to download videos for offline viewing.
iOS Devices
On iOS devices, playing YouTube in the background is a bit trickier due to Apple’s restrictions. However, there is still a workaround you can use:
Method: Using Safari
Unlike Android, iOS devices don’t have a dedicated YouTube app that allows background playback. However, you can achieve a similar result by using the Safari browser:
- Open Safari on your iOS device.
- Visit the YouTube website by entering “youtube.com” in the address bar.
- Find the video you want to play in the background.
- Start playing the video.
- Exit Safari or switch to a different app.
- The audio will continue playing in the background.
Keep in mind that you won’t have the same convenience as a dedicated app like YouTube Premium or YouTube Vanced. You won’t be able to control playback or access additional features like ad-blocking.
Conclusion
While YouTube’s default settings don’t allow for background playback, there are workarounds available for both Android and iOS devices. Android users can use YouTube Premium or third-party apps like YouTube Vanced, while iOS users can play videos in the background using Safari. Whether you choose to subscribe to YouTube Premium or opt for a third-party solution, you can now enjoy your favorite YouTube content while multitasking on your device.
Disclaimer: It’s important to note that using third-party apps or workarounds may violate YouTube’s terms of service. Use these methods at your own risk, and make sure to respect the rights of content creators.