YouTube is the most viewed video platform, but playing songs on YouTube app with screen locked – i.e. in the background – is a tricky business. As soon as the phone screen is locked, YouTube automatically pauses what you are listening to, meaning you can’t listen to videos with your phone screen locked.
Also, there is no setting in the YouTube app to solve this problem. However Google does provide an option like Youtube Red subscription, but it is only for limited users and can be a bit expensive.
Also Read: Google Tips and Tricks You Must Know For Ease Of Searching
Why do we need to play youtube videos in the background?
One of the reasons to play video in background is to save battery life of the device. The other reason is out of habit we lock the screen while placing it and this pauses YouTube from playing the video.
To play a video it is necessary to keep the display turned on.
In this article we will tell you certain ways using which you can sit back and relax with your hot mug of coffee, with your favorite music on!
How To Play YouTube In The Background On Android
Use Mozilla Firefox Browser (Android)
This method involves using the free Mozilla Firefox browser app. What all you need to do is download and install the Mozilla Firefox browser on your phone. Now type m.youtube.com to open the website within the browser. Now tap the settings (three dots) button present at the top right of the page and tick request desktop site.
Once you have completed the steps above, tap on a video to play it, and it will continue to play even after you lock your phone.
Use Google Chrome Browser (Android)
Another option is to download and install Google Chrome browser instead. It is done the same way and you will get play/pause option on the lock screen to play the video.
How To Play YouTube In The Background On iOS
Use Safari Browser (iOS)
The lock screen feature works on Apple Safari, in the similar way as it works on Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. But there are certain things you need to keep in mind as it works differently on iOS 8 and higher versions.
Before proceeding, ensure JavaScript is enabled in Safari. To enable it go to the Home screen and select “Settings” > “Safari” > “Advanced“. Here slide the button to enable “JavaScript.”
This may sometimes not work if the YouTube app is installed, therefore you may have to uninstall it.
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Option 1 – Quick URL
To quickly access the desktop version of YouTube in Safari for iOS open the Safari app, and type “www.youtube.com/?app=desktop” without quotes. This will immediately takeyou to the desktop version of YouTube.
Option 2 – Desktop Menu
If you don’t want to type the long URL, you can perform the following steps instead:
- Open the Safari app, type “com“, then press “Go“.
- Now, tap the menu button located in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the menu, then tap “Desktop“.
Option 3 – Safari Setting
iOS 9 & Later
- Visit YouTube.com in the Safari web browser.
- Tap and hold the circle with arrows icon in the upper-left corner.
- Select “Request Desktop Site“.
You are done!
Also Read: How to fix YouTube app Crashing on Android
iOS 8
- Open the Safari app, type “com“, then press “Go“.
- Tap the URL in the address bar to highlight it and bring up the Bookmarks menu.
- Starting from just below the address bar, swipe downward to reveal the “Request Desktop Site” option. Select it and you’re done.
Alternatively you can also use YouTube Red launched on 28 October 2015 by YouTube. It is a paid subscription that allows you to play videos in the background. The app is only available in US for now.
Also Read: 9 Amazing YouTube Hacks You Never Knew Existed!
Using the tips provided above you can save your phone’s battery and enjoy your favorite music with no breaks/pause.
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