Enable background video playback YouTube without subscription Premium is a task faced by millions of users Android. The feature is officially only available to paid subscribers, but there are workarounds that work on most devices. In this article we will analyze all the current methods: from built-in browser settings to specialized applications and technical tricks with ADB.
It is important to understand that some methods may violate YouTube terms of use, and their performance depends on the application version and policy. We tested the methods with the latest updates, but the service interface changes regularly. If some method stops working, check the alternative options from this article. Google. We tested the methods on Android 13-15 with the latest updates YouTube v19.20+, but the service interface changes regularly. If any method stops working, check the alternative options from this article.
Before you begin, please note: using modified versions of YouTube (for example, Vanced or ReVanced) may lead to account blocking for violating the rules of the service.. Official methods (via a browser or PiP) are safe, but have limitations in functionality.
1. Background playback via Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode
The most legal way to listen YouTube in the background is to use the built-in mode Picture-in-Picture (PiP), available on Android 8.0+. It allows you to minimize the video to a small window that remains on top of other applications. The sound continues to play even if the screen is locked.
How to turn it on:
- 📱 Open the official application YouTube and start any video.
- 🔄 Press the button Home (or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen). The video will automatically be minimized to a small window.
- 🔊 To continue listening with the screen locked, expand the notification panel and press
Playin the media player. - ⚙️ If PiP does not work, check the settings:
Settings → Applications → YouTube → Advanced → Picture-in-Picture(allow).
Method limitations:
- ❌ The video stops if you close the window
PiPor swipe it to the side. - ❌ Doesn't work for music tracks (YouTube blocks PiP for audio with a static image).
- ❌ On some firmware (for example, MIUI or ColorOS) additional permission settings are required.
If the PiP window does not appear, try first switching to full screen mode (double tap on the video) and then minimizing the application. This works on 90% of devices.
2. Using the mobile version of YouTube in a browser
The browser method is one of the most reliable, since YouTube it cannot block background playback on web pages. Suitable for all devices, including old smartphones on Android 5-7. It is best to use Google Chrome or Firefoxas they support background tabs.
Step-by-step guide:
- Open the browser and go to
m.youtube.com(mobile version of the site). - Start the video and click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the player.
- Select
Run full screen(important! without this, the sound will stop). - Return to the main screen (button Home) without closing the browser. The video will continue to play.
- To lock the screen, expand the notification panel and use the browser's media player.
Tips for stable operation:
- 🔄 In Chrome turn on the setting
Settings → System → Keep background processes(increases the chances that the sound will not be interrupted). - 📱 On Samsung s One UI you may need to disable battery optimization for browser.
- 🔊 If the sound disappears after blocking, try another browser (for example, Kiwi Browser or Firefox Nightly).
3. Modified versions of YouTube (ReVanced, Vanced)
Applications like YouTube Vanced or ReVanced offer advanced functionality, including background playback, ad blocking and the return of the old interface. However, this method has serious drawbacks:
⚠️ Attention: YouTube Vanced is officially closed since March 2022. Its successor - ReVanced - requires manual assembly of the APK via ReVanced Builder, which may be unsafe. Using such versions violates the rules YouTube and may lead to account blocking.
If you are willing to take the risk, here brief instructions for ReVanced:
Download the original YouTube APK from [apkmirror.com](https://apkmirror.com)
Install ReVanced Manager or ReVanced Builder
Disable YouTube updates in the Play Market
Create a backup copy of application data-->
After installing the modified version:
- 🎵 Enable background play in the settings ReVanced (
Settings → Vanced Settings → Background play). - 🔄 Select a behavior option:
Continue with screen offorSound only. - 🛡️ Disable automatic application updates, otherwise Play Market will replace it with the official version.
Alternatives ReVanced:
- 📱 NewPipe - open source software with background playback, but without official account support Google.
- 🎬 SkyTube - another client with an emphasis on privacy (requires MicroG for login).
4. ADB commands to unlock the background mode
Method for advanced users: using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) you can force background playback in the official application YouTubeThis method does not require root access, but you need basic skills in working with the command line. line.
Instructions:
- Download Platform Tools from the site Google and unpack the archive.
- Enable
USB debuggingon your smartphone (Settings → About phone → Build number(7 taps) →For developers → USB debugging). - Connect your phone to the PC and run the command:
adb shell pm grant com.google.android.youtube android.permission.WAKE_LOCK - Then enter:
adb shell am start -n com.google.android.youtube/.app.honeycomb.Shell$HomeActivity - Restart the device.
After that:
- 🎵 Launch the video in the official application and minimize it with the button Home.
- 🔊 The sound will play even with the screen locked (but the video in
PiPwill not appear). - ⚠️ The effect is temporary - after updating YouTube or resetting the settings you will have to repeat procedure.
What to do if ADB does not recognize the device?
Make sure that the drivers for your smartphone model are installed (download from the manufacturer's website).
Try a different USB cable (the original charging cable is often not suitable for data transfer).
Enable the option in the developer settings USB debugging (security settings) and enable debugging for your PC.
5. Applications for background playback (FloatTube, Musi)
If you don’t want to modify YouTube you can use third-party applications that “deceive” the system by simulating work in the background. Popular options:
| Application | Features | Cons | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| FloatTube | Floating window on top of other applications, support for playlists | Advertising in the free version, does not work with Premium | Play Market |
| Musi | Downloads audio from YouTube, plays in the background without video | Violates YouTube rules, may blocked | Developer website |
| Snappea | Downloading videos and playing in the background | Suspicious permissions, possible viruses | Official website |
| Ogyoutube | Lightweight client with background mode | Outdated interface, no updates | GitHub |
How to set up FloatTube:
- 📥 Install the application from Play Market and open it.
- 🔍 Enter a query or insert a link to the video from YouTube.
- 🎵 Press
Play in background—the video will play in the mini-player. - 🔄 To lock the screen, use a notification with controls.
⚠️ Attention: Applications like Musi or Snappea can download content from YouTube without permission, which violates copyright. The account Google is not blocked, but the IP address may be included in the “gray list” of the service.
6. Setting up via Tasker or MacroDroid
To automatically turn on the background mode, you can use automation applications such as Tasker or MacroDroid. They simulate clicks and enable PiP or browser mode without manual intervention.
Example macro for MacroDroid:
- Create a new macro with a trigger
Launch application → YouTube. - Add an action
Open URL → m.youtube.com(to redirect to the browser). - Add a delay of 2 seconds (
Wait → 2 sec). - Add an action
Click the → Home button(to minimize the browser).
Advantages of the method:
- ⚡ Full automation - no need to repeat the steps manually.
- 🔄 Works even after updates YouTube.
- 📱 Suitable for devices with limited capabilities (for example, Android Go).
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Requires initial setup (may be difficult for beginners).
- ❌ On some firmware (for example, EMUI) MacroDroid needs rights
ADB.
7. Alternative services (SoundCloud, Spotify, Yandex Music)
If all of the above methods do not work, consider switching to legal music services. Many of them offer free plans with background playback:
- 🎧 Spotify (free with. advertising, but without background mode on mobile devices).
- 🎵 Yandex Music (background playback is available even in the free version).
- ☁️ SoundCloud (many tracks are available for free with background mode).
- 📻 YouTube Music (background playback only with Premium, but there is a trial period).
To go from YouTube to Spotify or Yandex Music you can use playlist transfer services:
- 🔄 Soundiiz - automatically copies tracks between services.
- 📋 TuneMyMusic - supports YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and others.
Legal music services often offer discounts for new users (for example, 3 months of Premium for 1 ruble). This is cheaper than risking a YouTube account.
Frequently asked questions
❓ Why does YouTube block background playback?
Google limit this feature to encourage users to subscribe YouTube Premium (price from 299 ₽/month). Background playback and the absence of advertising are the key advantages of the paid plan. In addition, it reduces the load on the servers, since the video in the background is often played without a picture.
❓ Is it possible to get an account ban for using it? ReVanced?
Theoretically, yes. YouTube can block an account for using modified clients, since this violates terms of service (clause 4.C). However, in practice, blocking occurs extremely rarely and usually concerns accounts that download content in large quantities or use bots for normal listening to music in the background. minimal.
❓ Why does the sound disappear after the screen is locked?
This is due to battery optimization Android. The system pauses applications in the background to reduce battery consumption. Solutions:
- Disable browser optimization or YouTube in the settings (
Settings → Applications → YouTube → Battery → Unlimited). - Use a browser that supports background processes (for example Firefox).
- Enable the mode
Do not interrupt the transferin the developer settings.
❓ Does background playback work on iOS?
On iPhone situation more difficult: Apple strictly limits the background operation of applications. The only working methods:
- Use Safari (analogous to the method with a browser on Android).
- Install YouTube Premium.
- Use third-party applications from AltStore (for example uYou+, but reinstallation is required every 7 days).
Methods with ADB or modified APKs on iOS are impossible without jailbreak.