How to turn off the screen on Android while watching a video: a complete guide

Do you like to listen to podcasts or watch movies on your smartphone before bed, but a bright screen makes it difficult to fall asleep? Or want to save battery power when a video is playing in the background? Turning off the screen during active playback is a common task faced by users Android. Unfortunately, standard system settings often do not allow you to do this in one click: the screen goes dark when the video stops or after a short timeout.

In this article we will examine 7 proven methods turn off the screen Android without interrupting playback - from the built-in functions of popular applications to hidden system settings and third-party utilities. You will learn which methods work on Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other devices, as well as how to bypass restrictions YouTube Premium or Netflix. We will pay special attention to solutions that do not require root access and are suitable for most versions Android 10–14.

We warn you right away: not all methods are universal. For example, YouTube actively blocks playback with the screen off in the free version, and some manufacturers (like Huaweilimit the background operation of applications). But in 90% of cases you will find a working solution here!

1. Built-in player functions: YouTube, Netflix, VLC

Many popular video players already have an option to play with the screen off - you just need to know where to look for it. Let's look at the most common applications:

• 📺 YouTube (Premium): The paid version of the service has a function Playing in the background. To activate it, open the video, click ⋯ → Settings → Playing in the background. After this, you can lock the screen - the sound will continue to play. Without Premium This method does not work.
• 🎬 Netflix: Officially the function is missing, but you can disable it in the application settings (⚙️ → Playback). Automatic screen off. This does not guarantee operation with the display locked, but prevents accidental shutdown.
• 🎵 VLC: One of the most flexible players. Start the video, click on the screen, select ⋯ → Audio → Play sound only. You can lock the screen and playback will continue. Also in the settings (⚙️ → Interface → Video) there is an option Continue playback in the background mode.
• 📱 Google Podcasts: Automatically supports background playback. Just minimize the application or lock the screen.

If your application does not support background playback, try alternative players like MX Player or Kodi - they often offer more options for controlling the screen.

⚠️ Attention: Without YouTube without Premium attempting to play a video with the screen off through workarounds (for example, browser extensions) may result in violation of the terms of use. The risk is especially high if such methods are used frequently. account blocking for violation of the rules of use. The risk is especially high if such methods are used frequently.

2. Using the "Do Not Disturb" or "Battery Saver" mode

Some manufacturers build into their shells (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS) functions that indirectly allow you to leave the video playing when the screen is off. Here's how it works:

• 🔋 Battery saving mode: On Xiaomi i Redmi activate Settings → Battery → Battery saving mode → Enable. In this mode, the system limits background activity, but some applications (for example, VLC) continue playing.
• 📵 Do not disturb: On Samsung go to Settings → Notifications → Do not disturb → Allow exceptions → Media and add your player to the list. This does not guarantee work with the screen off, but increases the chances.
• 🌙 Dark mode + timeout: On some devices (for example, Google Pixel) you can increase time until the screen turns off to the maximum (Settings → Display → Screen timeout → 30 minutes), and then manually lock the screen with the power button.

These methods do not always work, since they depend on the manufacturer’s policy and version Android. For example, Huawei aggressively closes background processes, so the chances are lower on their devices.

3. Applications for background playback: AudioPocket, FloatTube

If the built-in functions do not help, third-party applications come to the rescue. They "trick" the system by simulating active screen use while a video plays in the background. Let's look at the top solutions:

• 🎧 AudioPocket: Converts video from YouTube, Twitch and other platforms into an audio stream. It works even without Premium! Download the application from Google Play, paste the video link and select Play in background. The screen can be locked.
• 📱 FloatTube: Creates a floating window with video that does not close when the screen is locked. Supports YouTube, Vimeo local files. Minus - requires permission to overlay windows (Settings → Accessibility → FloatTube).
• 🔄 NewPipe: Alternative client for YouTube open source. Supports background playback by default. Install APK from the official website (not available in Google Play), since the application violates the rules YouTube.

Important: applications like NewPipe or FloatTube may violate the terms of use YouTube, which theoretically threatens to block your account. However, in practice the risk is minimal if you do not abuse it. them.

Download the application from Google Play|Enable window overlay permission (if required)|Insert a link to the video in the search field|Select the "Background play" option-->

⚠️ Attention: Applications to bypass restrictions YouTube (for example, NewPipe or modified versions YouTube Vanced) may contain vulnerabilities or malicious code if downloaded from unofficial sources. Always check the hash sums of the files on the developers' websites.

4. ADB commands: unblocking background playback for any applications

For advanced users, there is a way to unblock background playback for any applications using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method does not require root access, but you need a computer and a USB cable.

Instructions:

1. Enable Debugging USB on the phone: Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times), then return to Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging.
2. Connect your phone to the PC, open the command line and enter:

   adb devices

   Make sure that the device is detected.

3. Execute the command to unlock background playback (replace com.package.name with your player ID, for example, com.google.android.youtube):

   adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.package.name

4. Reboot the phone.

After this, the application will be able to work in the background without restrictions. To return the default settings, use the command:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist -com.package.name

This method works on most devices, but some manufacturers (for example Xiaomi or Huawei) may reset the settings after updating the system.

5. Automation with Tasker or MacroDroid

If you regularly need to turn off the screen when watching a video, it makes sense to automate the process. Applications like Tasker or MacroDroid allow you to create scripts that will lock the screen when the player starts and unlock it when you stop.

Example of a macro for MacroDroid:

1. Create a new macro with a trigger Launch application (select your player, for example VLC).
2. Add action Lock screen (in section Screen).
3. Add a second action Delay for 1 second (so that the player has time to start).
4. Save the macro and activate it.

For Tasker The logic is similar, but with more flexible settings. For example, you can add a condition to check the playback of an audio stream so that the screen is not blocked in vain.

6. Special functions for Samsung and Xiaomi devices

Manufacturers often add unique functions that make it easier to work with multimedia. Let's look at the most useful ones:

Samsung (One UI)

• 🎵 Sound Lab: In the sound settings (Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound Lab), enable the option Playing media in the background. some applications (for example Samsung Music) work with the screen off.
• 🔄 MultiStar: You can enable Settings → Additional functions → MultiStar can be turned on Floating window for video players. The video will play in a small window on top of other applications, and the main screen can be locked.

Xiaomi (MIUI)

• 📱 Double applications: Create a duplicate YouTube or another player via Settings → Applications → Dual applications. In some cases, a duplicate allows you to bypass restrictions on background playback.
• 🔋 Battery → Background limit: For your player, select No restrictionsThis will prevent playback from stopping when the screen is locked.

⚠️ Attention: On devices Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ function Dual applications may not work with YouTube due to stricter policy GoogleIn this case, try NewPipe or AudioPocket.

7. Alternative solutions: SmartTubeNext, browsers with background playback

If none of the above helped, consider these non-standard ones approaches:

• 🌐 SmartTubeNext: Modified client for YouTube on Android TV, but also works on smartphones. Supports background playback, ad blocking and other functions. Installed via ADB or Downloader on Android TV.
• 🦊 Firefox or Kiwi Browser: In these browsers you can request the desktop version YouTube (⋯ → Desktop version, start the video and minimize the browser. The sound will play, but the screen will remain on (you will have to block it manually).
• 📡 Transmission via DLNA: If you have Smart TV or Chromecast, send the video to the big screen via Send to device in the player, and turn off the screen on your phone. The method is suitable for home use. use.

SmartTubeNext is one of the most powerful solutions, but its installation requires additional steps. For example, on Android TV you need:

1. Install Downloader from Google Play.
2. Download APK SmartTubeNext from the official one GitHub.
3. Install the file via Downloader.
4. Run the application and give all the necessary permissions.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about turning off the screen during a video

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist -com.package.name