In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves multitasking, trying to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of our time. One common scenario is wanting to listen to YouTube videos while we’re on the go or engaged in other activities. However, the default behavior of YouTube is to pause playback when the screen goes off, frustrating our listening experience. Fortunately, there is a solution that allows us to keep YouTube playing with the screen off, unlocking a world of uninterrupted audio enjoyment.
To achieve this, we need to venture beyond the confines of the official YouTube app and explore alternative methods. One such method involves utilizing a dedicated background player app, which can be found on both Android and iOS platforms. These apps act as a bridge between YouTube and your device, allowing you to control playback even when the screen is off. The process is relatively straightforward: download the app, log in with your YouTube account, and start playing your desired videos. When you turn off the screen, the app will seamlessly take over, ensuring uninterrupted audio streaming.
Another option for Android users is to take advantage of the “Restrict background data” feature in the YouTube app itself. This feature, when disabled, allows YouTube to continue playing audio in the background. To disable it, simply navigate to your YouTube app’s settings, select “Background & downloads,” and toggle off the “Restrict background data” option. However, it’s important to note that this method may not work on all devices and may have implications for your data usage.
Disable Background App Restrictions
YouTube, like many other apps, can be configured to continue playing in the background even when the screen is turned off. This can be useful for listening to music or podcasts while performing other tasks on your device. However, it can also lead to increased battery consumption and data usage.
To disable background app restrictions for YouTube, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap on Apps & notifications.
- Tap on All apps.
- Scroll down and tap on YouTube.
- Tap on Battery.
- Under Background usage, tap on Restricted.
- A pop-up window will appear, asking if you want to allow YouTube to run in the background. Tap on Allow.
YouTube will now be able to continue playing in the background even when the screen is turned off. If you want to conserve battery and data usage, you can always disable this feature by following the above steps and selecting Restricted under Background usage.
Additional Information
Here is a table summarizing the steps to disable background app restrictions for YouTube:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Settings app. |
| 2 | Tap on Apps & notifications. |
| 3 | Tap on All apps. |
| 4 | Scroll down and tap on YouTube. |
| 5 | Tap on Battery. |
| 6 | Under Background usage, tap on Restricted. |
| 7 | Tap on Allow in the pop-up window. |
Adjust Battery Optimizations
If you’re running into playback issues with YouTube while your screen is off, battery optimization settings could be interfering. Adjusting these settings will allow YouTube to continue playing in the background, even when the screen is turned off.
For Android Devices:
1. Open Settings on your device.
2. Navigate to Apps and notifications.
3. Select YouTube from the list of installed apps.
4. Tap on Advanced settings.
5. Toggle off the Optimize battery usage switch.
For iOS Devices:
1. Open Settings on your device.
2. Scroll down and tap on YouTube.
3. Under the Background App Refresh section, select Wi-Fi & Mobile Data.
4. Ensure that the Background App Refresh toggle is enabled.
Battery Optimization Exceptions
In addition to adjusting battery optimizations, you can also add YouTube as an exception to these optimizations. This will ensure that the app is not affected by any battery-saving measures.
For Android Devices:
1. Open Settings on your device.
2. Navigate to Battery.
3. Tap on App optimization.
4. Select YouTube from the list of apps.
5. Tap on Optimize and select Don’t optimize.
For iOS Devices:
1. Open Settings on your device.
2. Scroll down and tap on Battery.
3. Scroll down to the Low Power Mode section.
4. Ensure that the Low Power Mode toggle is disabled.
Use YouTube Premium
One of the most straightforward ways to keep YouTube playing with the screen off is to subscribe to YouTube Premium. This paid subscription service offers a range of benefits, including the ability to play videos in the background. With YouTube Premium, you can listen to music, watch videos, and even download content for offline viewing, all while keeping your screen off. The service costs $11.99 per month, but it comes with a free trial period so you can try it out before you commit.
To use YouTube Premium, you’ll need to create a Google account and add a payment method. Once you’ve subscribed, you can start enjoying all the benefits of the service, including background playback. To enable background playback, simply tap on the “…” menu in the top-right corner of a video and select “Background playback.”
Here’s a table summarizing the steps on how to use YouTube Premium to keep YouTube playing with the screen off:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create a Google account and add a payment method. |
| 2 | Subscribe to YouTube Premium. |
| 3 | Tap on the “…” menu in the top-right corner of a video and select “Background playback.” |
Enable Background Playback
To keep YouTube playing with the screen off, you must enable background playback. This feature is only available for YouTube Premium subscribers. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the YouTube app on your device.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
3. Tap on “Settings”.
4. Under “Background & downloads”, tap on “Background playback”.
5. Select the “Always on” option.
Once you have enabled background playback, you will be able to listen to YouTube videos and music with the screen off. However, note that this feature may not be available in all countries and may require a stable internet connection.
Here is a table summarizing the steps to enable background playback:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the YouTube app. |
| 2 | Tap on your profile picture. |
| 3 | Tap on “Settings”. |
| 4 | Under “Background & downloads”, tap on “Background playback”. |
| 5 | Select the “Always on” option. |
Utilize Third-Party Apps
One of the best ways to keep YouTube playing with the screen off is to utilize third-party apps. These apps bypass the restrictions imposed by YouTube’s mobile app, allowing you to continue listening to videos even when your screen is turned off. There are several free and paid options available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Recommended Apps for Android
For Android devices, here are some of the top apps that you can use:
- Background Player for YouTube: This app allows you to play YouTube videos in the background with your screen off. It also provides features like floating windows, customizable playback speeds, and sleep timers.
- FlyTube: This app offers a seamless YouTube experience with background playback, pop-up video player, and ad-blocking features. It’s a great option for those who want a comprehensive solution.
- NewPipe: NewPipe is an open-source YouTube client that provides background playback, customizable themes, and the ability to download videos for offline viewing.
Recommended Apps for iOS
For iOS devices, here are some of the recommended apps:
- Safari Background Playback: This free Safari extension allows you to play YouTube videos in the background by creating a custom web player. It’s a convenient option for those who don’t want to install additional apps.
- BGPlayer: This paid app provides background playback for YouTube videos. It also includes features like sleep timers, customizable playback speeds, and the ability to control playback from your Apple Watch.
Set Custom Time Limits
If you want more control over how long YouTube plays with the screen off, you can set custom time limits. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Tap on “Settings.”
- Tap on “Background & downloads.”
- Under “Background playback,” tap on “Custom time limit.”
- Enter the desired time limit in minutes.
- Tap on “Save.”
Note that the custom time limit will only apply to videos that you start playing while the screen is on. If you start playing a video while the screen is off, it will continue to play until you turn the screen back on or until the video ends.
| Time Limit | Behavior |
|---|---|
| 0 minutes | No background playback |
| 1 minute | Background playback for 1 minute after screen turns off |
| 2 minutes | Background playback for 2 minutes after screen turns off |
| 5 minutes | Background playback for 5 minutes after screen turns off |
| 10 minutes | Background playback for 10 minutes after screen turns off |
| 30 minutes | Background playback for 30 minutes after screen turns off |
| 1 hour | Background playback for 1 hour after screen turns off |
| Unlimited | Background playback until video ends or screen turns back on |
Manage Battery Saver Settings
Battery saver settings aim to extend battery life by limiting background activities that could potentially drain it prematurely. However, this can affect the ability of the YouTube app to continue playing music with the screen off. To prevent this, you’ll need to make some adjustments.
Here’s how you can configure the battery saver settings on your device:
- Go to the Battery Saver settings on your device.
- Locate the option to “Restrict App Background Activity”.
- Make sure to exclude the YouTube Music or YouTube app from this restriction.
- This will allow the app to continue playing music in the background even when Battery Saver is enabled.
- Additionally, you can set the battery saver to activate at a specific battery percentage or manually enable it when needed.
App Battery Usage
You can also check the battery usage of the YouTube app and make sure it’s not being restricted. Here’s how:
- Go to the “Battery” section of your device’s settings.
- Locate the YouTube app and tap on it.
- Ensure that the app is not set to “Restricted” or “Optimized”.
| Battery Saver Mode | On |
| Exclude YouTube from Battery Saver | Yes |
| Background App Refresh | Wi-Fi Only |
Adjust Display Settings
One of the most effective ways to keep YouTube playing with the screen off is by adjusting the display settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to do it:
1. Go to your device’s “Settings” menu.
2. Tap on “Display” or “Screen.” This may vary depending on the device.
3. Locate the “Screen Timeout” or “Auto-Lock” setting.
4. Set the screen timeout to the maximum duration allowed. This could be anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes or even longer, depending on your device.
5. Exit the settings menu and your screen will remain active for the specified duration.
6. Open the YouTube app and start playing a video.
7. Lock your screen by pressing the power button.
8. YouTube will continue to play in the background, even with the screen off. You can control the playback using the notification bar or by unlocking the device and accessing the YouTube app.
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Navigate to Display or Screen Settings |
| 3-4 | Set Maximum Screen Timeout Duration |
| 5-7 | Lock the Screen with YouTube Playing |
| 8 | YouTube Continues to Play in the Background with Screen Off |
Utilize the Picture-in-Picture Mode
Configure Your Device Settings:
This feature allows YouTube videos to continue playing in a smaller window while engaging in other activities on your device. Here’s how to enable it:
– Navigate to YouTube’s settings menu.
– Choose the “Playback” tab.
– Toggle on the “Picture-in-Picture” option.
Steps for Picture-in-Picture:
1. Start a YouTube video that you’d like to play in the background.
2. Click on the “Minimize” icon in the top right corner of the video player.
3. The video will shrink into a small window that can be moved around the screen or minimized into a floating bubble.
4. Your screen can now be turned off, and the audio will continue to play.
Additional Considerations:
– Picture-in-Picture is supported on most modern devices like Android, iOS, and macOS.
– Background playback consumes mobile data, so it’s recommended to use Wi-Fi whenever possible.
– The video controls can be accessed by tapping on the floating window or bubble.
– You can also use the Picture-in-Picture mode with other apps that support it.
Consider External Playback Devices
If you’re adamant about keeping YouTube playing with the screen off, consider investing in an external playback device. These devices connect to your phone or tablet via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and allow you to control playback without having to keep the screen active.
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of external playback devices available:
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth speakers |
|
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| Smart speakers |
|
|
| Casting devices (e.g., Chromecast, Roku) |
|
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How To Keep YouTube Playing With Screen Off
YouTube is a great way to watch videos, but it can be frustrating when the screen turns off and the video stops playing. Fortunately, there are a few ways to keep YouTube playing with the screen off.
One way to keep YouTube playing with the screen off is to use the YouTube app. The YouTube app allows you to play videos in the background, even when the screen is off. To do this, simply open the YouTube app and start playing a video. Then, lock your screen and the video will continue to play in the background.
Another way to keep YouTube playing with the screen off is to use a third-party app. There are many third-party apps available that allow you to play YouTube videos in the background. Some of these apps include AudioPocket, Background Play for YouTube, and NewPipe.
People Also Ask
How can I keep YouTube playing with the screen off on iPhone?
You can use any of the methods described above to keep YouTube playing with the screen off on iPhone.
How can I keep YouTube playing with the screen off on Android?
You can use any of the methods described above to keep YouTube playing with the screen off on Android.
Is there a way to keep YouTube playing with the screen off without using an app?
Unfortunately, there is no way to keep YouTube playing with the screen off without using an app.
What is the best way to keep YouTube playing with the screen off?
The best way to keep YouTube playing with the screen off is to use the YouTube app. The YouTube app allows you to play videos in the background, even when the screen is off.
