Listening to YouTube videos while using other apps or with your screen off can be a game-changer — whether you’re enjoying music, podcasts, or lectures. However, on default YouTube app play in background on Android it is not possible until you buy YouTube Premium subscription. But don’t worry, there are also possibilities to use YouTube app in background without payment.
Methods of playing YouTube in the background:
Method 1: using YouTube Premium (official solution)
If you’re willing to pay for convenience, YouTube Premium definetely is the easiest, ad-free way to enable background play.
Steps:
- Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture.
- Select Get YouTube Premium.
- Choose a plan and complete the subscription.
- Now, any video will continue playing in the background when you exit the app or turn off your screen.
Bonus: You got access to ad-free videos, you can download videos for offline viewing, and you got access to YouTube Music.
Method 2: Using a web browser (Free)
You don’t want to pay extra for Youtube Premium? No problem! You can also play YouTube videos in the background using a mobile browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox.
How to do it:
- Open Chrome (or any other browser) and go to website: youtube.com.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select: Desktop site.
- Play your desired video.
- Exit the browser. The audio will pause — but don’t worry!
- Pull down your Notification panel and press Play on the media controls to resume your video.
Pro Tip: Firefox can also play Youtube videos in backgroud and also supports ad-blocking extensions.
Method 3: Picture-in-picture (PiP) mode
Android operating system supports Picture-in-Picture mode, what allows you to keep a mini floating YouTube window while you are using other apps.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > Apps > YouTube > Advanced > Picture-in-Picture.
- Ensure Allow Picture-in-Picture is toggled on.
- Open YouTube and start a video.
- Press the Home button — the video will shrink into a small window.
Important Note: PiP is usually a Premium feature, but in some countries you can get it for free.
Method 4: Third-party apps
Some Android apps allow to make background playback for free. Here are some popular ones:
- NewPipe: A lightweight, open-source YouTube alternative with background play.
- Vanced: (Discontinued but still works on some devices) Ad-free YouTube with background support.
- Brave Browser: A privacy-focused browser that supports background playback natively.
Reminder: Be cautious with third-party apps — use only reputable.
Method 5: YouTube Music App (For audio-only content)
If you mainly want to listen to music, the YouTube Music app allows background playback — but like YouTube Premium, it requires a subscription. It’s a great alternative if you’re primarily after playlists and songs.
Final thoughts
Whether you choose YouTube Premium for convenience or a free browser workaround, you now have multiple ways to enjoy YouTube app play in background on Android. Want uninterrupted music or podcast sessions? You’re all set!
