Listening to music, podcasts or lectures on a smartphone often requires keeping the screen on all the time, which quickly drains the battery and interferes with multitasking. Users often look for a solution how to make YouTube play in the background on Androidto continue listening to content by minimizing the application or locking the device. The standard video service by default stops playback when you minimize the window unless you have an active paid Premium subscription.
However, there are workarounds that do not require payment, which range from using special browsers to installing modified clients. In this guide, we will look at both legal methods through system settings, as well as third-party tools that provide offline playback. It is important to understand the risks and features of each method in order to choose the best option for your model Android smartphone.
Official method through YouTube Premium
The simplest and most reliable method provided by the developers is to subscribe. YouTube Premium. This service officially unlocks the background playback feature, allowing the audio stream to continue even when the screen is turned off or switching to other tasks. To activate, you need to go to your profile and select the appropriate tariff plan.
After payment, the function works natively: just minimize the application and the music will continue to play. This eliminates the need to find workarounds or install third-party software. However, the cost of a subscription can be significant for some users, so many prefer to look for free alternatives.
It is worth noting that a trial period is often available to new users, which allows you to test the functionality before purchasing. If you use the service frequently for music, this may be a cost-effective solution, given the lack of advertising and the ability to download videos.
⚠️ Note: Trial terms and subscription prices may vary depending on region and current Google policies. Check the current rates in the “Paid subscriptions” section inside the application.
Using browsers that support Desktop mode
One of the most popular free methods is using mobile browsers, such as Google Chrome, Firefox or Brave. The essence of the method is to trick the YouTube website into thinking that you are logged in from a full-fledged computer, where background playback is allowed by default.
First, open your browser and go to the website youtube.com. Before starting the video, you need to find the “PC Version” or “Full Site Version” item in the browser menu. After enabling this mode, the interface will change and you can start the video.
As soon as the video starts playing, minimize the browser or turn off the screen. If the sound disappears, return to the browser, pull down the notification shade and press the Play button on the player that appears. Often you need to re-enable playback through the notification panel.
- 🌐 Open Chrome or Firefox and go to youtube.com.
- 💻 In the browser settings menu, select the “PC version” checkbox.
- ▶️ Launch any video and minimize the application.
- 🔔 Expand the notification panel and press Play if the sound stops.
This method does not require installing additional software, but may be less convenient due to the need to switch viewing mode each time. In addition, working through the browser consumes more processor resources than a native application.
Setting exceptions in power saving mode
A frequent reason for sound stopping when an application is minimized is aggressive battery optimization built into Android shells from manufacturers (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). The system can forcefully “kill” a process YouTubeto save battery by treating it as a background activity.
To fix this, you need to add the application to the exceptions list. Go to Settings → Applications → YouTube. Find the "Battery" or "Energy Saving" section and select the "Unlimited" or "Unlimited" mode. This will prevent the system from closing the application when the screen is off.
It is also worth checking your multitasking settings. Some firmwares have a function called “Lock applications in memory”, which locks the application in RAM, preventing it from being unloaded. Activating this function often solves the problem of spontaneous stopping of the sound.
☑️ Checking the battery settings
After making changes, restart the device and check background operation. If the sound still disappears after a while, another system optimizer or memory cleaner may be interfering.
| Manufacturer | Path to settings | Option name |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi (MIUI) | Applications → YouTube → Battery | No restrictions |
| Samsung (OneUI) | Device Maintenance → Battery → Autostart | Allow background activity |
| Realme/OPPO | Application Manager → YouTube → Battery consumption | Allow background launch |
| Pure Android | Applications → YouTube → Battery | No restrictions |
Use of specialized clients (ReVanced and analogues)
For advanced users, there are modified versions of the official application, such as YouTube ReVanced. These clients are created by enthusiasts and include Premium account features, including background playback, ad blocking and SponsorBlock, absolutely free. Installation of such applications requires permission to install from unknown sources and, often, Google services installed. The installation process may seem complicated for a beginner, but the result is completely worth the effort.
Installation of such applications requires permission to install from unknown sources and, often, the presence of installed MicroG for Google services to work. The installation process may seem complicated for a beginner, but the result is completely worth the effort.
In the settings of the ReVanced application itself, you need to make sure that the “Background play” function is activated. It is usually enabled by default, but some builds require manual activation in the ReVanced Settings menu.
Where is it safe to download ReVanced?
The official source is only the GitHub project repository or the official ReVanced website. Never download ready-made APK files from third-party forums or telegram channels, as they may contain viruses or spyware. Use the official ReVanced Manager to patch the original application.
⚠️ Warning: Using modified clients violates YouTube's terms of service. Theoretically, an account can be blocked, although in practice there have been no mass bans for this. Use at your own risk.
Playback through third-party players
There are alternative clients that are positioned as lightweight and private, for example, NewPipe or LibreTube. These open-source applications do not use Google services for authorization, which ensures high privacy and stable operation in the background.
The main advantage of such players is that they are designed specifically to play content without unnecessary social network functions. You can listen to audio in the background, watch videos in a pop-up window (Picture-in-Picture), and even download content for offline viewing.
However, they have a disadvantage: you cannot log into your account, which means your browsing history and subscriptions are not automatically synchronized. You will have to import subscriptions manually or use the search function again each time.
The NewPipe application allows you to create a backup file of your subscriptions and transfer it to another device, which partially solves the problem of lack of synchronization with your Google account.
Problems with Picture-in-Picture
Function Picture-in-Picture (PiP) allows you to display video in a small floating window on top of other applications. While it's not exactly a "background mode" (the screen must be on), it's a convenient way to watch videos and use instant messaging at the same time.
On many devices, this feature only works for Premium users, but in some regions or on certain versions of Android it's available for free. You can check the status in your phone settings: Applications → Special access → Picture in Picture.
If the switch is active for YouTube, try minimizing the application while playing a video. If the window does not appear, it is possible that the specific video does not support this feature (for example, music videos in some cases), or the feature is blocked at the firmware level.
The Picture in Picture feature depends not only on the phone settings, but also on the type of content: music tracks are more often blocked for PiP without a subscription than educational videos.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the sound disappear immediately after the screen is locked?
Most likely, system energy saving is triggered. Check if the YouTube app has the “Run in background” permission and disable battery optimization for that particular app in your system settings.
Is it safe to install mods like ReVanced?
It is safe only if you build the application yourself through the official manager or download from trusted sources (GitHub). Files from random sites may contain malicious code.
Can Google block an account for background listening?
The probability is extremely low. Google is fighting mainly against mod distributors and servers that provide illegal access. Regular users who use the client for personal listening are practically not banned.
Does the background mode work in the Brave browser without settings?
Yes, the Brave browser has a built-in ad blocker and often allows you to play videos in the background by default if the “Background video playback” option is enabled in its settings.
Why is there no “No restrictions” item for the battery in the settings?
The name of the item depends on the smartphone manufacturer. Look for similar wording: “No restrictions”, “High performance”, “Do not limit background activity” or “Allow autorun”.