You launched your favorite podcast on YouTube, locked the screen - and the music suddenly stopped. Is this a familiar situation? Application deliberately blocks background play for users without subscription YouTube Premium. But there are workarounds: from legal functions in the smartphone settings to little-known tricks with browsers and modified versions of the application.

In this article - 7 proven ways to listen to YouTube with the screen off on Android, including methods for devices with Android 10+where Google has tightened the restrictions. We will look at options without root access, using third-party applications, and even hidden functions of YouTubeitself. Important: some methods may stop working after updates - we will warn you about this in advance.

Spoiler: the most reliable method is YouTube Premium, but if you are not ready to pay, there are alternatives. Let's start with the simplest ones and end with the advanced ones that require additional actions.

1. Enabling background playback through Android settings (without root)

Some smartphone manufacturers build into their shells (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS) a function to force background playback for any applications. This is the safest method, but does not work on all devices.

How to check:

  • 🔧 On Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: go to Settings → Accessibility → Background play and add YouTube to the exclusion list.
  • 📱 On Samsung: open Settings → Device care → Battery → Background work and allow YouTube to run in the background.
  • 🤖 On a clean Android (Pixel, Motorola): try Settings → Applications → YouTube → Advanced → Battery → Optimization → All applications.
💡

If your firmware does not have such settings, try turning on developer mode (Settings → About phone → Build number - press 7 times) and activate the option Do not turn off the screen while charging. This is not background playback, but will help when connected to the network.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+ Google has limited the ability to run in the background for third-party applications. If after updating the system the method stops working, try other methods from this article.

Manufacturer Path to settings Works on Android 13?
Xiaomi/Redmi Special. capabilities → Background playback Yes (on MIUI 14)
Samsung Device care → Battery → Background work Partially (depending on the model)
Realme/Oppo Settings → Battery → Battery optimization No (with ColorOS 13)
Google Pixel Settings → Applications → YouTube → Battery No (blocked by the system)

2. Using a browser instead of an application (Chrome, Firefox, Kiwi)

The mobile version of the site YouTube in the browser does not have such strict restrictions on background playback as the application. Just open the video in Chrome or Firefox and request the desktop version of the site.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Open Chrome and go to m.youtube.com.
  2. Click ⋮ (three dots) → PC version.
  3. Start the video and minimize the browser - the sound will continue to play.
  4. For convenience, add website to the main screen via ⋮ → Add to the main screen.

🔹 Pros: does not require installation of additional applications, works on any Android.

🔸 Cons: no playback notifications, you cannot control the player from the curtain.

How to make browser-based YouTube more convenient?

Add a site to the home screen via Add to home screen in Chrome - you will get an “application” with a separate icon. Kiwi Browser you can enable ad blocking extensions (uBlock Origin) and. dark theme.

⚠️ Attention: In the latest versions Chrome background playback may be interrupted after 5-10 minutes. To avoid this, open chrome://flags, find the flag #enable-surface-layer-animations and disable it. restart your browser.

3. Modified versions of YouTube (Vanced, ReVanced, uYou+)

Applications like YouTube Vanced (officially closed) or its successors (ReVanced, uYou+) remove restrictions on background playback, block ads and add other features. This is a semi-legal method, as it violates the rules YouTube.

How to install ReVanced:

Download APK from the official website revanced.app

Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security)

Install ReVanced Manager to configure patches

Select a patch Background playback and apply it to the original YouTube APK

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📌 Important nuances:

  • 🔄 Updates ReVanced come out with a delay - some functions may temporarily not work.
  • 🛡️ To install, you need the original APK YouTube (can be downloaded from apkmirror.com).
  • 🚫 Account Google may be blocked for using modified versions (the risk is minimal, but there is).

YouTube Vanced (old)

ReVanced

uYou+

Have not tried

Other-->

⚠️ Attention: Since 2023 YouTube active struggles with modified clients. If an error appears after logging into your account "The device is not certified", try:

  1. Delete application data (Settings → Applications → YouTube → Storage → Clear data).
  2. Use ReVanced Extended a fork that bypasses the new restrictions.
  3. Do not log into your account Google in the modified application.

4. Applications for background playback (Floating YouTube, NewPipe)

Third-party players like NewPipe or Floating YouTube not only allow you to listen to videos with the screen off, but also offer additional functions: video downloading, no advertising, playlists.

Comparison of popular applications:

Application Background playback Video downloading Advertising Requires an account Google
NewPipe ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (many formats) ❌ No ❌ No
Floating YouTube ✅ Yes (floating window) ❌ No ❌ No (blocks) ✅ Yes
SkyTube ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (audio only) ❌ No ❌ No

🔹 How to set up NewPipe:

  1. Download APK from the official website newpipe.net.
  2. When you first start, select "Do not show videos in the YouTube application".
  3. In the settings (⚙️ → Playback), enable "Play in the background".
  4. To control the player from the curtain, activate "Notification about playback".

⚠️ Attention: NewPipe does not use API YouTube, so some functions (for example, browsing history) may not work correctly. Also, the application does not update subscriptions in real time.

5. ADB commands to force background mode (for advanced)

If you are ready to use the debug bridge Android Debug Bridge (ADByou can Force Allow YouTube work in the background. The method works on any Android, but requires a connection to a PC.

Instructions:

  1. Install ADB on your computer (download from developer.android.com).
  2. Enable USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number — press 7 times, then Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).
  3. Connect your phone to the PC and run command: 
    adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.google.android.youtube
  4. Reboot the device.

🔹 Additional commands for optimization:

  • Disable battery optimization for YouTube: 
    adb shell dumpsys battery unplug
  • Allow autostart: 
    adb shell cmd appops set com.google.android.youtube RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow
💡

ADB commands are reset after a system update or reset settings. To return the functionality, you will have to repeat the procedure.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use ADB can lead to system malfunctions. If after executing the commands YouTube began to behave unstable, cancel the changes with the command:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist -com.google.android.youtube

6. Alternative methods: Picture-in-Picture (PiP) and external players

Mode "Picture in Picture" (Picture-in-Picture, PiP) allows you to minimize the video into a small window that remains on top of other applications. This is not quite background playback, but close in functionality.

How to enable PiP in YouTube:

  • 📺 On Android 8+: open the video, click Home - player will automatically minimize (does not work on all devices).
  • 🔧 If PiP is not activated, turn it on manually: 
    adb shell settings put global multi_window_mode_enabled true
  • 🎵 For audio: use external players like VLC or MX Playerthat support playing links YouTube.

🔹 How to listen to YouTube via VLC:

  1. Copy the video link to YouTube.
  2. Open VLC, click Network and paste link.
  3. Click Play —the video will open in the internal player.
  4. Collapse VLC —the sound will continue to play.

⚠️ Attention: Some videos on YouTube are protected DRM (for example, movies or premium content). In this case, external players will not be able to play them.

7. Bypassing restrictions through Tasker or MacroDroid (automation)

Automation applications (Tasker, MacroDroid) allow you to simulate taps on the screen so that YouTube "thinks" that the video is still active. This is a complex but effective method for devices where other methods do not work.

🔹 Example macro for MacroDroid:

  1. Create a new macro with trigger "Application running" → YouTube.
  2. Add an action "Auto-click" → Click on the coordinates (specify the player area).
  3. Set the click interval - once every 30 seconds.
  4. Enable the macro and minimize YouTube.

📌 Warning: Frequent auto-clicks can lead to:

  • 🚫 Account ban for suspicious activity.
  • 🔋 Increased battery consumption.
  • 🤖 Unstable operation of the player.

🔹 Alternative: Use Tasker to automatically switch to the desktop version YouTube in the browser when you launch the application.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after setting up background playback, crashes may occur. Let's look at typical errors and how to fix them.

🔸 "The sound is interrupted after 5-10 minutes":

  • 🔋 Check your battery settings: add YouTube or browser to optimization exceptions.
  • 📵 Disable "Adaptive battery" in the developer settings.
  • 🔄 Restart the device - sometimes it helps to reset background processes.

🔸 "Does not work on Android 13+":

  • 🛠️ Try ReVanced Extended - it is better adapted to new versions of Android.
  • 🌐 Use the browser method with Kiwi Browser + extension uBlock Origin.
  • 📱 If all else fails, the only option left is YouTube Premium or purchasing a separate player (for example, Musicolet for audio).

🔸 "The application crashes when minimized":

  • 🗑️ Clear the cache YouTube (Settings → Applications → YouTube → Storage → Clear cache).
  • 🔄 Roll back to previous version of the application (download APK from apkmirror.com).
  • 🛡️ Disable "WebView" in the developer settings (sometimes conflicts with the player).
💡

If background playback stopped working after updating YouTube, try rolling back to version 17.30.34 or 17.29.36 - they are considered the most stable for workaround methods.

❓ Why does YouTube block background playback?

YouTube limit this function to encourage users to register YouTube Premium (cost from 139 ₽/month). According to the rules of the service, background playback and downloading of videos are available only to paid subscribers. However, technically this limitation is bypassed through third-party tools.

❓ Is it possible to get an account banned for using modified versions?

Theoretically, yes, but in practice, bans for this are extremely rare. YouTube more often blocks the modified application itself (gives an error "The device is not certified") than the account. To minimize risks:

  • Do not log into your account Google in ReVanced.
  • Use a secondary account for tests.
  • Do not update the modified application via Google Play.
❓ How to listen to YouTube in the background on iPhone?

On iOS workarounds are severely limited due to the closed nature of the system. Working methods:

  1. Open the video in Safari, request the desktop version and minimize the browser.
  2. Use the application Dolby On to record sound from the screen (a crutch, but it works).
  3. Install YouTube Premium (the only legal way).

Modified versions like uYou+ require jailbreaking or installation via AltStore (with restrictions).

❓ Why did all the methods stop working after updating Android?

Starting from Android 12Google has tightened control over background processes. The system automatically pauses applications that consume resources in the background. To return the functionality:

  • Disable "Background limitation" for YouTube in the battery settings.
  • Use ADB-commands to force addition to the white list.
  • Go to the browser method or NewPipe.

If all else fails, you can only wait for updates from the developers of workaround solutions (for example, ReVanced).

❓ Is there a legal way to listen to YouTube in the background without Premium?

Technically, there are no legal methods - all workarounds violate YouTube terms of useHowever, YouTube sometimes they hold promotions where background playback is temporarily unblocked (for example, for new users or as part of affiliate apps). Also, some mobile operators offer free access to YouTube Premium as part of. tariffs.