How do I get YouTube to play in the background on my Android phone?
Many Android users want the ability to play YouTube videos or just the audio in the background while using other apps. This allows you to listen to music playlists, podcasts, audiobooks, and more from YouTube without having the app open and the video playing. However, by default, YouTube stops playing audio/video as soon as you exit the app or lock your phone’s screen.
Playing YouTube in the background gives you more flexibility to multitask and continue listening to content. It’s especially useful for listening to long playlists, streaming music, or educational content hands-free while on the go. Enabling background play also allows you to save battery life by not having the screen on.
Default YouTube Behavior
The default behavior of the YouTube app on Android devices is to stop playing video and audio when the app is minimized or put in the background. This means that if you start playing a YouTube video in the app and then switch to another app, the YouTube video will stop playing.
This default behavior happens because the YouTube app is designed to avoid unnecessary data usage and battery drain that could result from playing videos in the background. As soon as the app loses focus, the video playback stops. This can be frustrating if you want to multitask or switch between apps while still listening to YouTube audio.
Many users have complained about this issue on forums and support threads, as referenced here: “Sometimes I can minimize YouTube to a small window that keeps playing. Other times (most of the time) it stops when minimized. Why?” and here: “When i minimize but not close youtube my music stops how can the music carry on playing when minimized?“
Why Play YouTube in the Background?
There are several reasons why you may want YouTube to continue playing audio when you switch apps or lock your phone screen on Android. The most common reason is to listen to music playlists on YouTube while doing other tasks on your device.
Enable Picture-in-Picture
One of the easiest ways to play YouTube videos in the background on Android is to use the built-in picture-in-picture feature. Picture-in-picture (PiP) allows you to watch videos in a small window while simultaneously using other apps. This native Android feature has been available since Android 8.0 Oreo.
To enable PiP for YouTube, go to your Android device’s Settings app and select Apps & Notifications. Then choose Advanced > Special App Access > Picture-in-picture. Find YouTube in the list of apps and toggle the switch on to allow PiP. You may need to fully close and restart the YouTube app before PiP takes effect.
Once enabled, you can trigger PiP by starting a YouTube video, then pressing the home button to minimize the app. The video will shrink down into a small floating window that you can drag around and position anywhere on the screen. The audio will continue playing even as you use other apps. To return the video back to full screen, simply tap on the mini player window.
The benefit of picture-in-picture is that it’s a native Android feature that doesn’t require a third-party app or premium subscription. It provides a seamless way to multitask while enjoying YouTube audio in the background. Just keep in mind that PiP may not work with certain videos due to playback restrictions set by the content creator.
Use a Different App
There are several third party apps that allow YouTube playback in the background on Android devices without having to pay for YouTube Premium. Some popular options include:
NewPipe – An open source app that lets you play YouTube videos in the background and also supports downloading videos. It has no ads and doesn’t require you to login.
SkyTube – SkyTube is another open source YouTube app that includes background play. It has a clean interface and lets you login to your YouTube account.
YouTube Vanced – Vanced is a modified version of the YouTube app with background play enabled. It also blocks ads and gives you other additional features.
These third party apps provide an easy way to get background playback on YouTube without paying for Premium. They also give you other benefits like ad blocking. Just keep in mind that alternative apps are not officially supported by YouTube.
Use a Browser
One way to enable background play for YouTube on Android is by using a web browser like Chrome or Firefox. Many browsers now include options to pop videos out into a small floating window that persists even when switching between tabs or apps. This allows the audio to keep playing while doing other things on your device.
On Chrome, enable the built-in picture-in-picture mode by tapping the icon in the top right corner of a YouTube video. This shrinks the video down into a movable window. You can then exit the Chrome app while the audio continues in the background (Source).
For Firefox, you’ll need to install an extension like Floating for YouTube. This gives you a pop-out button to float videos in a customizable mini player. The audio will keep playing even after leaving Firefox or switching to a new tab (Source).
The advantage of using a browser is you don’t need to download any extra apps and can enable background play for free. The floating video window also gives you some control over pausing, skipping, or closing the video.
Subscribe to YouTube Premium
One way to enable background play for YouTube videos on your Android device is to subscribe to YouTube Premium. YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service that provides ad-free access to YouTube, as well as additional features like background play.
With a YouTube Premium subscription, you can continue watching or listening to YouTube videos on your Android device even when you switch apps or lock your phone. The video will keep playing in the background just like a music streaming service.
One of the main benefits of YouTube Premium is ad-free background play. Without a subscription, background play is disabled and ads are shown on YouTube. The subscription removes all ads across the YouTube app and lets you play videos in the background seamlessly.
YouTube Premium costs $11.99 per month in the United States. There are also discounted annual plans and a family plan option for sharing the subscription with multiple users. While it requires a paid subscription, YouTube Premium provides the simplest way to enable uninterrupted background play of YouTube videos on Android.
Use YouTube Music
YouTube Music is Google’s dedicated music streaming app that comes with a free ad-supported tier as well as a paid YouTube Music Premium subscription. The free version allows you to stream music and browse videos, while the paid version unlocks background listening and ad-free playback.
With a YouTube Music Premium subscription, you can continue listening to music even when you switch to another app or lock your Android device’s screen. This provides a seamless listening experience similar to other paid music streaming services like Spotify.
To enable background listening in the YouTube Music app on Android, simply start playing a song or playlist, then switch to another app or lock your screen. The music will continue playing uninterrupted. There’s no special setting to enable, it’s automatically available for Premium subscribers.
The main advantage of using YouTube Music for background play versus the main YouTube app is that it’s designed specifically for music listening. It provides personalized recommendations, playlists, radio stations and more. The audio quality is also optimized for music.
However, it does require a paid subscription after a trial period. If you’re primarily interested in background audio for videos or other content, one of the other options may be better suited.
Downsides of Background Play
While having YouTube play in the background can be convenient, there are some downsides to be aware of. The biggest issue is that background play can quickly drain your phone’s battery life. This is because keeping the YouTube app open and playing video in the background requires more processing power and data usage compared to when the app is closed. According to users on Reddit and Android forums, the YouTube app running in the background shows high battery usage even when background activity is restricted in settings [1] [2].
The constant data streaming also eats into your mobile data plan. So if you don’t have unlimited data, streaming YouTube endlessly in the background can lead to overage charges. While tools like picture-in-picture don’t use as much battery or data, the official background play option in the YouTube app is more resource intensive. Ultimately, the battery and data drain tradeoff is something to consider before enabling background play.
Conclusion
There are a few different ways to enable background play for YouTube videos on Android devices. The simplest options are to use picture-in-picture mode or switch to a third-party app like NewPipe. For a more official solution, you can subscribe to YouTube Premium to unlock background play across the YouTube app and YouTube Music. Using a mobile browser like Chrome also allows you to play audio in the background. Each method has tradeoffs to consider in terms of price, features, and convenience. Ultimately, the best solution depends on your priorities and how you consume YouTube content. With the right approach, you can enjoy your favorite videos while multitasking on your Android device.