YouTube has become one of the most popular platforms for watching and sharing videos online. With its vast collection of content ranging from music videos, tutorials, vlogs, and entertainment, YouTube has become an integral part of our daily lives. It offers a diverse range of content that caters to various interests and preferences.
However, despite its popularity, YouTube does have certain limitations. One of the notable limitations is the inability to play videos in the background on mobile devices. By default, when you exit the YouTube app or switch to another app, the video stops playing. This can be frustrating, especially when you want to listen to music or educational content while multitasking or using other apps on your device.
Importance of Being Able to Play YouTube in the Background
The ability to play YouTube in the background is essential for many reasons. First and foremost, it enhances multitasking capabilities. Whether you’re working, exercising, or simply browsing the web, being able to continue listening to your favorite YouTube videos without interruption adds convenience and productivity to your daily routine.
Moreover, background playback allows you to enjoy YouTube content while conserving battery life. Instead of keeping the screen on, which drains battery power, you can turn off the screen or use other apps while still listening to audio from YouTube videos. This feature is particularly useful during long commutes or when you want to save battery while enjoying your favorite podcasts or music playlists.
Another significant advantage of playing YouTube in the background is the ability to consume content without the distraction of the video itself. Sometimes, you may want to listen to informative talks, interviews, or discussions without needing to watch the visuals. Background playback frees you from the constraint of having to keep your eyes on the screen, allowing you to focus solely on the audio content.
In conclusion, while YouTube is an incredibly popular platform for video consumption, its limitations in playing videos in the background can be restrictive. Being able to play YouTube in the background offers convenience, multitasking capabilities, battery conservation, and distraction-free audio consumption. In the following sections, we will explore various methods to overcome this limitation and enjoy YouTube content without interruption.
Method 1: Using the YouTube Premium Subscription
Benefits of YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is a subscription-based service offered by YouTube that provides an enhanced user experience and exclusive features. By subscribing to YouTube Premium, users can enjoy a range of benefits, including:
- Ad-free Experience: With YouTube Premium, you can say goodbye to those pesky ads that interrupt your viewing experience. Enjoy uninterrupted videos without any advertisements.
- Background Playback: One of the key features of YouTube Premium is the ability to play videos in the background on both mobile devices and desktop browsers. This means you can continue listening to your favorite videos even when you exit the YouTube app or switch to another app.
- Offline Downloads: Another advantage of YouTube Premium is the ability to download videos for offline viewing. You can save your favorite videos to your device and watch them later, even if you don’t have an internet connection.
- YouTube Music Premium: In addition to ad-free and background playback for regular YouTube content, YouTube Premium also includes access to YouTube Music Premium. This allows you to stream music from the vast library of songs available on YouTube without interruptions.
Steps to Play YouTube Videos in the Background Using YouTube Premium
To take advantage of the background playback feature offered by YouTube Premium, follow these simple steps:
- Subscribe to YouTube Premium: Visit the YouTube Premium website or open the YouTube app, go to the settings, and select “Get YouTube Premium.” Choose a subscription plan that suits your needs and follow the instructions to complete the subscription process.
- Sign in: Make sure you are signed in to your YouTube account on the device where you want to enjoy the background playback feature.
- Open YouTube: Launch the YouTube app or visit the YouTube website on your preferred device.
- Play a Video: Find a video you want to watch and start playing it.
- Minimize or Switch Apps: Now, simply exit the YouTube app or switch to another app while the video is playing, and the audio will continue to play in the background.
Additional Features of YouTube Premium That Enhance the User Experience
In addition to background playback and ad-free experience, YouTube Premium comes with several other features that enhance the user experience:
- YouTube Originals: YouTube Premium subscribers gain access to YouTube Originals, which are exclusive shows and movies produced by YouTube. These original content offerings provide an additional level of entertainment for subscribers.
- Cross-Platform Access: YouTube Premium can be enjoyed across multiple devices, including mobile phones, tablets, desktop browsers, smart TVs, and streaming devices. This allows you to seamlessly transition between different devices while enjoying your favorite YouTube content.
- YouTube Kids: YouTube Premium subscribers also have access to YouTube Kids, a separate app designed specifically for children’s content. This feature ensures a safe and curated viewing experience for younger audiences.
By subscribing to YouTube Premium, users can unlock a range of features that significantly enhance their YouTube experience. The ability to play videos in the background is just one of the many benefits that make YouTube Premium a worthwhile investment for avid YouTube viewers.
Method 2: Using Desktop Browsers
Browser Options that Allow Playing YouTube Videos in the Background
If you prefer watching YouTube videos on your desktop or laptop, there are several browsers that offer extensions or built-in features that allow you to play YouTube videos in the background. Some of the popular browsers that support this functionality include:
- Google Chrome: Chrome is one of the most widely used browsers, and it offers various extensions that enable background playback on YouTube.
- Mozilla Firefox: Firefox is another popular browser that allows you to play YouTube videos in the background. Similar to Chrome, it offers extensions to enhance your YouTube experience.
- Safari: If you’re an Apple user, Safari is the default browser on macOS and iOS devices. While Safari doesn’t have as many extensions as Chrome or Firefox, it does provide some options for playing YouTube videos in the background.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Playing YouTube in the Background on Popular Desktop Browsers
1. Google Chrome:
To play YouTube videos in the background on Google Chrome, follow these steps:
- Open Google Chrome and visit the Chrome Web Store.
- Search for the “Enhancer for YouTube” extension and click on “Add to Chrome” to install it.
- Once installed, open YouTube and start playing a video.
- Click on the “Enhancer for YouTube” extension icon next to the address bar.
- Enable the “Background Playback” option from the menu.
- Minimize or switch to another tab, and the audio from the YouTube video will continue playing in the background.
2. Mozilla Firefox:
To play YouTube videos in the background on Mozilla Firefox, follow these steps:
- Open Firefox and visit the Firefox Add-ons website.
- Search for the “Enhancer for YouTube” extension and click on “Add to Firefox” to install it.
- Once installed, open YouTube and start playing a video.
- Click on the “Enhancer for YouTube” extension icon next to the address bar.
- Enable the “Background Playback” option from the menu.
- Minimize or switch to another tab, and the audio from the YouTube video will continue playing in the background.
3. Safari:
To play YouTube videos in the background on Safari, follow these steps:
- Open Safari and visit the Safari Extensions Gallery.
- Search for “ClickToPlugin” extension and install it.
- Once installed, open YouTube and start playing a video.
- Right-click on the video player and select “Open with ClickToPlugin” in the context menu.
- The video will open in a new window.
- Minimize or switch to another app, and the audio from the YouTube video will continue playing in the background.
By using the appropriate extensions or built-in features on these popular desktop browsers, you can easily enjoy YouTube videos in the background while working on other tasks or browsing the web. This way, you can listen to your favorite content without the need to keep the YouTube tab active and visible at all times.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
Third-Party Apps that Enable Background Playback on Mobile Devices
If you want to play YouTube videos in the background on your mobile devices, there are several third-party apps available that offer this functionality. These apps are designed specifically to overcome the limitations of the official YouTube app and provide a seamless background playback experience. Some popular third-party apps for playing YouTube in the background include:
- NewPipe: NewPipe is an open-source app for Android that allows you to watch YouTube videos in the background and even download them for offline viewing. It provides a user-friendly interface and supports background audio playback, making it a great alternative to the official YouTube app.
- YouTube Vanced: YouTube Vanced is another popular third-party app for Android devices. It offers features like background playback, ad-blocking, and even allows you to override video resolution settings. It provides a similar user experience to the official YouTube app but with additional customization options.
Method 4: Utilizing Picture-in-Picture Mode (Mobile Devices)
What Picture-in-Picture Mode Is and How It Works
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode is a feature available on many mobile devices that allows you to watch videos in a small floating window while performing other tasks on your device. With PiP mode, you can continue watching YouTube videos even when you switch to another app or navigate to your device’s home screen.
When enabled, the video window will shrink and float on top of other apps or screens, giving you the flexibility to multitask and enjoy your favorite YouTube content simultaneously.
Steps to Enable Picture-in-Picture Mode for YouTube on Android and iOS Devices
On Android Devices:
To enable Picture-in-Picture mode for YouTube on Android devices, follow these steps:
- Open the YouTube app on your Android device.
- Play a video of your choice.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the navigation bar.
- The video will shrink into a small window. Tap on it to enter Picture-in-Picture mode.
- You can now freely navigate to other apps or screens while the video continues playing in a floating window.
- To adjust the size or position of the Picture-in-Picture window, use pinch-to-zoom gestures or drag it to your desired location.
Note: Picture-in-Picture mode may not be available on all Android devices or versions of the YouTube app. Make sure your device meets the requirements for this feature.
On iOS Devices:
To enable Picture-in-Picture mode for YouTube on iOS devices, follow these steps:
- Open the YouTube app on your iOS device.
- Play a video of your choice.
- While the video is playing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center.
- In the Control Center, you will find a Picture-in-Picture button (represented by a small rectangle within a larger rectangle). Tap on it.
- The video will shrink into a small floating window.
- You can now switch to other apps or navigate to your device’s home screen while the video continues playing in the floating window.
- To adjust the size or position of the Picture-in-Picture window, simply pinch-to-zoom or drag it to your desired location.
Please note that Picture-in-Picture mode on iOS is only available for devices running iOS 14 or later versions.
By utilizing the Picture-in-Picture mode on your Android or iOS device, you can seamlessly multitask and enjoy YouTube videos while keeping up with other tasks or activities on your mobile device. It provides a convenient way to stay entertained without having to pause or exit the YouTube app.
Tips and Tricks
Tips for Enhancing the Background Playback Experience on YouTube
To further enhance your background playback experience on YouTube, consider these additional tips:
- Create playlists: Before starting a video, create a playlist of your favorite content. This way, you can enjoy a continuous stream of videos without having to manually select each one. Simply play the playlist and let YouTube handle the rest.
- Use autoplay: Enable the autoplay feature in the YouTube app settings. Autoplay will automatically play recommended videos after the current video ends, ensuring a seamless background playback experience.
- Enable audio-only mode: Some third-party apps or browser extensions offer an audio-only mode. This feature allows you to listen to the audio from YouTube videos without playing the video itself, saving data and battery life.
- Explore background playback apps: Apart from the methods mentioned earlier, there are other dedicated apps available that specifically focus on providing enhanced background playback features for YouTube. Explore different options and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Optimizing Battery Life and Managing Data Usage
To optimize battery life and manage data usage while enjoying background playback on YouTube, consider the following suggestions:
- Connect to Wi-Fi: Whenever possible, connect to a Wi-Fi network before playing YouTube videos in the background. This will prevent excessive data usage and help conserve your mobile data plan.
- Adjust video quality: Lowering the video quality can significantly reduce data consumption. In the YouTube app settings, select a lower resolution or set the video quality to “Auto” to allow YouTube to adjust it based on your internet connection.
- Close unnecessary apps: Closing unnecessary apps running in the background can help conserve battery life. These apps consume resources and can impact the overall performance of your device while playing YouTube videos.
- Enable battery-saving mode: If available, activate the battery-saving mode on your device. This mode optimizes various settings to extend battery life, including reducing background activities.
- Turn off autoplay: Disabling the autoplay feature in the YouTube app settings can prevent unnecessary data usage. This way, videos will not automatically play one after another, giving you more control over what you watch.
By following these tips, you can enhance your background playback experience on YouTube while optimizing battery life and managing data usage. Enjoy uninterrupted audio content while conserving resources on your mobile device.
Conclusion
In this blog, we explored various methods to play YouTube videos in the background on mobile devices. Let’s recap the methods discussed:
- Method 1: Using the Official YouTube App
- Method 2: Utilizing YouTube Premium
- Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
- Method 4: Utilizing Picture-in-Picture Mode (Mobile Devices)
Each method offers its own advantages and caters to different preferences and device capabilities. By understanding these methods, you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Convenience and Versatility of Playing YouTube in the Background
Playing YouTube videos in the background provides a level of convenience and versatility that enhances your overall viewing experience. Whether you want to listen to music while working out, watch a tutorial while following along with a task, or catch up on your favorite podcast, these methods allow you to do so effortlessly. You no longer have to be restricted to the foreground of the app or sacrifice your ability to multitask.
Now that you are aware of the different methods available, we encourage you to give them a try and experience the joy of playing YouTube videos in the background. No matter which method you choose, you’ll have the flexibility to enjoy your favorite videos anytime, anywhere, whether you’re focused on another task, commuting, or simply want to keep the entertainment going in the background.
Discover the most suitable method for your device and preferences, follow the steps outlined in the blog, and start enjoying YouTube in the background today. Expand your viewing possibilities and make the most of your mobile device’s capabilities.
Remember to respect content creators’ rights and adhere to applicable terms of use while using these methods. With the convenience and versatility of playing YouTube videos in the background, you can enhance your digital experience and make the most out of your YouTube viewing sessions.