You might notice that you won’t be able to play YouTube with screen off when using the official YouTube app on your Android phone or on iOS devices. There are however ways to bypass this restriction, such as using YouTube Premium, using a web browser, or using third-party apps. In this article, we’ll explore these different options and how to use them to play YouTube videos with the screen off.
YouTube is a video-sharing platform that allows users to upload, view, and share videos. It currently has over two billion monthly active users making it a cornerstone of online entertainment and information. From music videos to educational content, the platform offers an endless variety of videos that cater to a diverse audience.
How to play YouTube in the background on iPhone and Android
Are you having a problem playing YouTube music with your screen off, you’re not alone. By default, the YouTube app doesn’t allow users to play videos or audios when their smartphones are locked. As a result, any music or video playing on YouTube will stop or pause once the screen is turned off, which can be frustrating for many users. As one of the top streaming apps for music, YouTube has become an essential platform for music lovers. However, due to this limitation, users are increasingly searching for ways to play YouTube music with the screen off. Fortunately, we’ve got a few tricks that can help you achieve this.
Solution 1: Use a web browser to access the Youtube website
One trick to play YouTube with the screen off is to use your mobile web browser instead of the YouTube app. By accessing YouTube through a web browser on your mobile device, you can use the built-in media player to play videos or music and then turn off your screen without interrupting playback. This is because the web browser doesn’t have the same screen lock restrictions as the YouTube app.
Play YouTube videos using Chrome on Android phone
Google Chrome and other mobile browsers offer a neat trick to play YouTube videos and music in the background with the screen off. Unlike third-party apps, this feature works on most devices without any additional downloads or installations. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy YouTube without the need to keep your screen on.
Open the Chrome browser on your Android device and type “youtube.com” in the search bar.
Press the search button or hit enter on your keyboard.
The YouTube homepage will load, and you can browse for videos as usual.
Select the video you want to watch and tap on it to play.
Once the video starts playing, tap the three vertical dots icon on the top right corner of your screen.
A menu will appear, select “Desktop site” from the options provided. The page will reload in desktop view.
Go to your phone’s Home Screen
Drag the Notification Bar down.
Click on the Play button.
Close your phone and click on play again. This will play YouTube in the background.
Play YouTube Videos using Safari on iPhone
Playing YouTube videos with the screen off or in the background is not limited to Android devices; iPhone users can also take advantage of this feature. By following similar steps, you can listen to your favorite YouTube videos on your iPhone with the screen off using the Safari browser.
Open the Safari browser on your iPhone and type “youtube.com” in the search bar.
Press the search button or hit enter on your keyboard.
The YouTube homepage will load, and you can browse for videos as usual.
Select the video you want to watch and tap on it to play.
Once the video starts playing, tap the “AA” icon on the top left corner of your screen.
A menu will appear, select “Request Desktop Website” from the options provided.
The page will reload in desktop view. You can now pause the video and lock your screen to continue playing the audio with the screen off.
Solution 2: Get the YouTube Premium subscription service
The best way to play YouTube in the background while using the official app is by subscribing to YouTube Premium.
YouTube Premium is a subscription-based service offered by YouTube that provides users with an enhanced experience while using the platform.
With YouTube Premium, users can access ad-free content, play YouTube video and music in the background while using other apps or with the screen off, and download YouTube videos for offline viewing. Additionally, YouTube Premium provides access to exclusive content and original programming, such as movies, series, and documentaries.
The subscription also includes access to YouTube Music Premium, a separate app that offers users access to a vast library of music tracks and ad-free listening.
Solution 3: Using third party apps to play YouTube with the screen off
You can play YouTube video with the screen off by downloading and installing third-party apps from the Google Play Store. Simply search for “YouTube screen off” in the store’s search bar and choose from a variety of available apps. With these apps, you can control video playback from your lock screen and enjoy your favorite videos without the need for the screen to be on.
It’s important to exercise caution when using third-party apps and only download from reputable sources. It’s worth noting that using third-party apps to play YouTube videos with the screen off may be against YouTube’s terms of service, and could potentially result in account suspension or termination. Therefore, it’s important to consider the potential risks before using such apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
<strong>How can I listen to YouTube with the screen off on my iPhone?</strong>
Unlike Android devices, it is not possible to play YouTube with the screen off on iPhones due to iOS restrictions. However, you can use YouTube Premium, which allows background playback with the screen off, or use the Safari web browser to play YouTube videos in the background.
<strong>Is it legal to use third-party apps to listen to YouTube with the screen off?</strong>
It is not illegal to use third-party apps to listen to YouTube with the screen off, but it may violate YouTube’s terms of service. However, many of these apps are safe and widely used by users.
<strong>Can I use Picture-in-Picture mode to listen to YouTube with the screen off?</strong>
Unfortunately, Picture-in-Picture mode does not allow you to listen to YouTube with the screen off as the video needs to be playing in the foreground.
<strong>Does listening to YouTube with the screen off drain the battery faster?</strong>
Yes, listening to YouTube with the screen off can drain your device’s battery faster than listening to YouTube with the screen on, especially if you are using third-party apps. It is recommended to keep your device charged or plugged in while listening to YouTube with the screen off.
<strong>How can I listen to YouTube with the screen off without using any third-party apps?</strong>
If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, you can listen to YouTube with the screen off without using any third-party apps. Alternatively, you can use the Safari web browser on iPhones to play YouTube videos in the background while the screen is off.