How To Play Youtube On Safari In Background

One of the main drawbacks of YouTube's default Android and iPhone apps is that you can't continue audio playback when you turn off your screen, like you can with music and podcast apps. Thankfully, there are ways to keep YouTube playing without rooting your device or spending money.

Much of YouTube's content (like custom music, lectures, and similar) is a good fit for playing in the background, as you don't miss much from the accompanying video. We'll show you how to keep YouTube playing in the background with the screen off.

How to Play YouTube With the Screen Off: Free Options

If you don't want to spend anything, try out these free methods of playing YouTube with the screen off.

For Android: Firefox and Google Chrome

Android browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox are solid ways to play your YouTube videos in the background. You can either browse for the video on YouTube via these browsers, or jump into them directly from your YouTube app.

For the first method, go to youtube.com in your browser, then search for a video you want to listen to. When the video comes up, tap the menu icon (at the top-right corner of Chrome, or the bottom-left of Firefox) and hit the Desktop site option to reload the video in the desktop mode.

Once the video starts playing in this mode, simply turn off your screen to continue listening to it like a podcast or audiobook.

If you found a video you want to play in the YouTube app already, tap the Share option below the video and copy its link by tapping the Copy link option. Next, open your browser and paste the copied link in the search bar to locate the video. Once the video page loads, follow the process above to play your video in the background using desktop mode.

To avoid changing the video every time it ends, try creating playlists on your YouTube account, then log into your account in your mobile browser to play those videos in succession.

Download: Firefox for Android (Free)

Download: Google Chrome for Android (Free)

For iPhone or iPad: Safari

Unfortunately, using Firefox or Google Chrome on iOS doesn't replicate the same audio playback feature. Although they play your video for some time (if you repeat the above process on your iPhone), the video stops at some point.

Thankfully, Apple's built-in browser, Safari, does have this functionality. The method is slightly different than what you do in Firefox or Chrome for Android, though.

Open Safari and go to the YouTube website by typing youtube.com into the address bar. Ensure that Safari doesn't direct you to the YouTube app, which it might. When you're on the YouTube website, open the video you want and tap the AA button on Safari's search console. On the dropdown menu, tap the Request Desktop Site option and play your video. This method ensures you can listen to YouTube videos with your screen off.

As an alternative, you can copy the video link from the YouTube app and paste it in Safari, repeating the other process stated above for Android.

Either way, once your video loads, turn off your screen. Your video will stop playing, but don't worry! Just open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone models with Face ID, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen if your iPhone has a Home button), and you'll see options to play the video and control its volume and playback.

Press the Play button, and the audio will continue playing. You can now turn off your screen to continue listening to it.

The Paid Option to Keep YouTube Playing in the Background

If you're willing to shell out some cash, you can play YouTube videos in the background via the default YouTube app. This is the easiest and most reliable method, since it's the official solution.

YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium, formerly known as YouTube Red, is YouTube's paid subscription. The service costs $11.99 a month. Apart from an ad-free experience, this also gives you the option to listen to videos with your screen off or while using other apps, and even download videos to watch later.

Signing up for YouTube Premium also grants you access to YouTube Music Premium, which is a streaming service that competes with Spotify and similar. If you're a heavy YouTube user who doesn't use another music streaming service yet, this is a great value, since most other music streaming service are $10/month and don't include any YouTube perks.

We've looking at what you should consider about YouTube Premium before deciding whether or not to sign up. Opinions are mixed on the service, but it's definitely a seamless way of listening to YouTube videos in the background.

Once you subscribe to YouTube Premium, you can keep videos playing when you switch to another app or minimize YouTube. This will work anywhere you're signed in with your Premium account.

Download: YouTube for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

Other Alternatives for YouTube in the Background

If none of the above work for you, there are a few other methods for listening to YouTube in the background. They're not as smooth, but might be worth a look depending on your needs.

These are both best done on your PC; you can then transfer the files to your device. One method involves converting YouTube videos into an MP3 file for offline listening. You can also use a website video downloading tool to download YouTube videos and enjoy them at your convenience.

Watch Your Mobile Data

Regardless of which app you use, playing YouTube videos consumes mobile data, whether in the background or foreground. So unless you have a generous data package, use this feature sparingly or only when you're connected to a Wi-Fi network.

A smart idea is to start playing the video on a Wi-Fi network, then wait for it to buffer for a few minutes before heading out. This can save you valuable data. Also consider lowering the video quality---since you're only listening to the audio, you won't mind grainy video.

The Best Ways to Play YouTube With the Screen Off

Google tends to crack down on third-party YouTube apps that enhance its functionality. So even if you find such third-party apps, they're not reliable. For example, a brilliant app called FlyTube used to let you watch YouTube videos as a floating window while browsing other apps, but Google eventually took it down.

Similarly, an iOS app called Songstream once let you listen to YouTube videos in the background, but that feature doesn't work anymore.

At present, these are the most reliable ways of enjoying YouTube's content in the background with your screen off. Don't forget that there are other places to watch YouTube as well.

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