To make the most of this experience, having a powerful smartphone is important. You can shop for the latest smartphones on easy EMIs using Bajaj Finserv financing options. Enjoy benefits like zero down payment and free home delivery on select products. Check your loan eligibility online in just a few simple steps and make your next smartphone purchase more affordable than ever.
3 min
13 may 2025
Knowing how to play YouTube in the background can make multitasking much easier. Whether you want to listen to music, podcasts, or educational videos, being able to keep YouTube running while using other apps is very useful. It allows you to enjoy continuous playback without keeping the screen active. This is especially helpful during commutes, workouts, or study sessions. A few simple methods can unlock this feature, depending on the device and platform you are using.
To make the most of this experience, having a powerful smartphone is important. You can shop for the latest smartphones on easy EMIs using Bajaj Finserv financing options. Enjoy benefits like zero down payment and free home delivery on select products. Check your loan eligibility online in just a few simple steps and make your next smartphone purchase more affordable than ever.
To make the most of this experience, having a powerful smartphone is important. You can shop for the latest smartphones on easy EMIs using Bajaj Finserv financing options. Enjoy benefits like zero down payment and free home delivery on select products. Check your loan eligibility online in just a few simple steps and make your next smartphone purchase more affordable than ever.
Methods to play YouTube in the background
Playing YouTube videos in the background on your phone offers a convenient way to multitask while enjoying your favourite content. This feature allows you to listen to music, podcasts, or follow tutorials without needing to keep the YouTube app open. It helps you save time and makes the most of your phone's capabilities. Whether you are checking emails, browsing the web, or using other apps, the ability to continue watching or listening to YouTube content in the background can enhance your productivity and overall experience.
The simplest way to do this is by subscribing to YouTube Premium, which allows seamless background playback.
1. YouTube on Android and iPhone
Subscribing to YouTube Premium allows you to play YouTube videos in the background without any extra steps. Once subscribed, you can simply open the YouTube app, play a video, and switch apps or lock your phone. The video will continue playing in the background. YouTube Premium also offers ad-free videos and offline downloads.
2. Picture-in-picture (PiP) on Android
YouTube Premium users can enjoy PiP mode on Android devices. Once you enable PiP inSettings > Apps > YouTube, you can play a video in the YouTube app, press theHomebutton, and the video will shrink into a floating window, allowing you to use other apps while it continues to play.
3. Picture-in-picture on iPhone
On iPhone, YouTube Premium also allows you to use PiP mode. After playing a video in the YouTube app, return to the home screen, and the video will appear in a small window. You can control playback usingControl Center, and the video will keep playing when the phone is locked.
1. Opera Browser (Android and iOS)
Opera is one of the best browsers for background playback on both Android and iOS. Unlike the YouTube app, Opera allows you to play videos in the background even when you switch to other apps or lock your phone. Simply visithttps://m.youtube.comin the Opera browser, start playing a video, and then switch to another app or lock your screen. The video will continue playing, and you can control it from theControl Centeror the notification shade. Opera also supports ad-blocking, so you will have a smoother viewing experience without interruptions.
2. Dolphin Browser (iOS)
Dolphin is another great browser for background YouTube playback on iOS devices. It allows you to open YouTube’s mobile site (https://m.youtube.com), play your desired video, and continue using other apps or lock your phone while the video continues to play. You can also control playback from theControl Center. Dolphin is user-friendly and provides a good alternative for those who do not want to subscribe to YouTube Premium.
3. NewPipe (Android)
NewPipe is a popular open-source app available for Android that allows YouTube background play without requiring a Google account or YouTube subscription. NewPipe offers a clean, ad-free interface and supports background playback and PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode. It also allows you to download videos and play them offline. While it does not have the official YouTube features like comments or subscriptions, it is an excellent choice for users looking for an alternative way to listen to YouTube content in the background.
4. Firefox (Android and iOS)
Firefox is another browser that can be used for background YouTube playback, especially on Android. After visitinghttps://m.youtube.com, you can start playing the video and then switch to another app or lock your screen. Playback will continue as long as you control it from theNotification CenterorControl Center. Firefox is known for its privacy features, so if you are concerned about tracking, it might be a good option.
5. Edge Browser (Android and iOS)
Microsoft Edge, available on both Android and iOS, also supports background video playback for YouTube. By usinghttps://m.youtube.comin the browser, you can start a video, then switch apps or lock your device, and the audio will keep playing. Similar to other browsers, you can use theControl Centeron iOS or theNotification Centeron Android to control playback.
Use mobile browsers on Android (Opera or Firefox)
One of the simplest ways to enable background play without YouTube Premium on Android is by using a mobile browser likeOperaorFirefox. Start by opening the browser and going tohttps://m.youtube.com. Search for the video you want to play, and then start the video. Once the video starts, minimize the browser or switch to another app. The video will stop playing, but you can swipe down from the top of the screen to open theNotification Centerand pressPlayto resume audio playback. This method works because it allows the video to continue as audio in the background, even when switching apps or locking the screen.
Use NewPipe on Android
For Android users,NewPipeis an excellent open-source app that completely bypasses YouTube’s restrictions. NewPipe allows you to play YouTube videos in the background without needing a subscription. To use it, you must download the app from its official website (it is not available on the Google Play Store). After installing the app, search for the video you want to play and start playing it. You can then press theHomebutton, and the audio will continue playing in the background. NewPipe offers an ad-free experience and additional features like offline downloads.
Use Picture-in-picture mode on iOS (Alternative browsers)
On iOS, while PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode is a feature reserved for YouTube Premium users in the YouTube app, you can still enjoy similar functionality using alternative browsers likeOperaorDolphin. Open either browser and visithttps://m.youtube.com, play the video, and press theHomebutton. The video should shrink into a small window on your screen, allowing you to move it around and continue using other apps while listening to the video’s audio. This method works because it bypasses YouTube’s official app, enabling background play without a subscription.
Easy EMIs: With Bajaj Finserv’s financing options, you can easily afford your selected product. Enjoy the freedom to choose a repayment tenure that aligns with your financial comfort.
No upfront payment: Enjoy the convenience of no initial lump sum payment on select products, thanks to the zero down payment policy.
Wide selection and accessibility: Finding your preferred product has never been simple. Explore an extensive collection available at Bajaj Finserv partner stores across the country.
Exclusive deals and cashback: When you shop at a Bajaj Finserv partner store, you unlock access to exclusive deals and exciting cashback offers, enhancing your shopping experience.
Free home delivery: Enjoy the added benefit of free delivery on select products, making your shopping journey even more seamless.
The simplest way to do this is by subscribing to YouTube Premium, which allows seamless background playback.
1. YouTube on Android and iPhone
Subscribing to YouTube Premium allows you to play YouTube videos in the background without any extra steps. Once subscribed, you can simply open the YouTube app, play a video, and switch apps or lock your phone. The video will continue playing in the background. YouTube Premium also offers ad-free videos and offline downloads.
2. Picture-in-picture (PiP) on Android
YouTube Premium users can enjoy PiP mode on Android devices. Once you enable PiP inSettings > Apps > YouTube, you can play a video in the YouTube app, press theHomebutton, and the video will shrink into a floating window, allowing you to use other apps while it continues to play.
3. Picture-in-picture on iPhone
On iPhone, YouTube Premium also allows you to use PiP mode. After playing a video in the YouTube app, return to the home screen, and the video will appear in a small window. You can control playback usingControl Center, and the video will keep playing when the phone is locked.
Best Apps and browsers for YouTube background play
If you want to enjoy YouTube videos in the background on your phone without a YouTube Premium subscription, there are a few apps and browsers that can help you achieve this. While the official YouTube app does not allow background playback without a subscription, these alternatives offer different ways to keep your videos running while you use other apps or lock your screen.1. Opera Browser (Android and iOS)
Opera is one of the best browsers for background playback on both Android and iOS. Unlike the YouTube app, Opera allows you to play videos in the background even when you switch to other apps or lock your phone. Simply visithttps://m.youtube.comin the Opera browser, start playing a video, and then switch to another app or lock your screen. The video will continue playing, and you can control it from theControl Centeror the notification shade. Opera also supports ad-blocking, so you will have a smoother viewing experience without interruptions.
2. Dolphin Browser (iOS)
Dolphin is another great browser for background YouTube playback on iOS devices. It allows you to open YouTube’s mobile site (https://m.youtube.com), play your desired video, and continue using other apps or lock your phone while the video continues to play. You can also control playback from theControl Center. Dolphin is user-friendly and provides a good alternative for those who do not want to subscribe to YouTube Premium.
3. NewPipe (Android)
NewPipe is a popular open-source app available for Android that allows YouTube background play without requiring a Google account or YouTube subscription. NewPipe offers a clean, ad-free interface and supports background playback and PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode. It also allows you to download videos and play them offline. While it does not have the official YouTube features like comments or subscriptions, it is an excellent choice for users looking for an alternative way to listen to YouTube content in the background.
4. Firefox (Android and iOS)
Firefox is another browser that can be used for background YouTube playback, especially on Android. After visitinghttps://m.youtube.com, you can start playing the video and then switch to another app or lock your screen. Playback will continue as long as you control it from theNotification CenterorControl Center. Firefox is known for its privacy features, so if you are concerned about tracking, it might be a good option.
5. Edge Browser (Android and iOS)
Microsoft Edge, available on both Android and iOS, also supports background video playback for YouTube. By usinghttps://m.youtube.comin the browser, you can start a video, then switch apps or lock your device, and the audio will keep playing. Similar to other browsers, you can use theControl Centeron iOS or theNotification Centeron Android to control playback.
How to enable background play without YouTube Premium
Although YouTube Premium offers the most seamless background play experience, there are still ways to enable background play for YouTube videos without subscribing. These methods involve using third-party apps and browsers that bypass YouTube's restrictions.Use mobile browsers on Android (Opera or Firefox)
One of the simplest ways to enable background play without YouTube Premium on Android is by using a mobile browser likeOperaorFirefox. Start by opening the browser and going tohttps://m.youtube.com. Search for the video you want to play, and then start the video. Once the video starts, minimize the browser or switch to another app. The video will stop playing, but you can swipe down from the top of the screen to open theNotification Centerand pressPlayto resume audio playback. This method works because it allows the video to continue as audio in the background, even when switching apps or locking the screen.
Use NewPipe on Android
For Android users,NewPipeis an excellent open-source app that completely bypasses YouTube’s restrictions. NewPipe allows you to play YouTube videos in the background without needing a subscription. To use it, you must download the app from its official website (it is not available on the Google Play Store). After installing the app, search for the video you want to play and start playing it. You can then press theHomebutton, and the audio will continue playing in the background. NewPipe offers an ad-free experience and additional features like offline downloads.
Use Picture-in-picture mode on iOS (Alternative browsers)
On iOS, while PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode is a feature reserved for YouTube Premium users in the YouTube app, you can still enjoy similar functionality using alternative browsers likeOperaorDolphin. Open either browser and visithttps://m.youtube.com, play the video, and press theHomebutton. The video should shrink into a small window on your screen, allowing you to move it around and continue using other apps while listening to the video’s audio. This method works because it bypasses YouTube’s official app, enabling background play without a subscription.
Financing options with Bajaj Finserv
Bajaj Mall is the best online destination for you to read about all the details, features, and specs of the latest mobile phones. Once you have gathered all the information you want, head to the nearest Bajaj Finserv partner store and select the mobile phone you want. Enjoy great discounts on top mobile phones from Bajaj Finserv and explore the latest offers to get the best deals. Plus, you can get a pre-approved loan to fund your purchase. You can check your pre-approved loan limit online or at the store. After that, provide your basic details, and convert the cost of your purchase into Easy EMIs.Benefits of shopping with Bajaj Finserv’s financing options
Competitive prices: Bajaj Finserv partner stores offer unbeatable prices, making sure that your purchase fits your budget effortlessly.Easy EMIs: With Bajaj Finserv’s financing options, you can easily afford your selected product. Enjoy the freedom to choose a repayment tenure that aligns with your financial comfort.
No upfront payment: Enjoy the convenience of no initial lump sum payment on select products, thanks to the zero down payment policy.
Wide selection and accessibility: Finding your preferred product has never been simple. Explore an extensive collection available at Bajaj Finserv partner stores across the country.
Exclusive deals and cashback: When you shop at a Bajaj Finserv partner store, you unlock access to exclusive deals and exciting cashback offers, enhancing your shopping experience.
Free home delivery: Enjoy the added benefit of free delivery on select products, making your shopping journey even more seamless.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best ways to play YouTube in the background on an iPhone?
You can play YouTube in the background on an iPhone by using Safari. Simply open YouTube, play the video, and then exit to the home screen. The audio will continue playing. Alternatively, YouTube Premium allows you to play videos in the background while using other apps.
Does YouTube stop playing when the screen is locked?
Yes, YouTube stops playing when the screen is locked, unless you have a YouTube Premium subscription. With YouTube Premium, you can play videos in the background even when the screen is locked, allowing audio to continue playing while you use other apps or the phone is idle.
How can I keep YouTube playing while using other apps?
To keep YouTube playing while using other apps, you need a YouTube Premium subscription. With YouTube Premium, you can play videos in the background and switch to other apps without stopping the video.
You can improve your streaming experience with a good display smartphone. Shop for the latest mobile phones on Easy EMIs using the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card. Simply check your eligibility for the card in just a few clicks and enjoy the freedom to split the cost into affordable EMIs.
You can improve your streaming experience with a good display smartphone. Shop for the latest mobile phones on Easy EMIs using the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card. Simply check your eligibility for the card in just a few clicks and enjoy the freedom to split the cost into affordable EMIs.
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