One major drawback of using YouTube for free on Android or iPhone is that you can't play videos in the background. Thankfully, there is a way to listen to your favorite songs, lectures, or TED talks with your screen off. We'll show you how to keep YouTube playing in the background without spending any extra money.

Watch YouTube With Firefox or Google Chrome on Android

Android browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox offer the easiest way to play YouTube videos in the background for free. You can browse the video on YouTube via these browsers or jump into them directly from your YouTube app.

Here's how to go about using the browser option on Android:

  1. Go to Youtube.com in your browser, then search for a video you want to listen to using the search icon at the top-right.
  2. Once the video comes up, tap the menu icon (in the top-right corner of Chrome or the bottom-left of Firefox) and hit the Desktop site option to reload the video in desktop mode.
  3. Once the video starts playing in this mode, switch off your screen or minimize the browser to continue listening to it, like a podcast or audiobook.

Alternatively, if you found a video you want to play in the YouTube app already:

  1. Tap the Share button below the video and copy its link by tapping the Copy link option.
  2. Next, open your browser and paste the copied link in the search bar to locate the video.
  3. Once the video page loads, follow the steps 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)

Play YouTube Videos in the Background on Your iPhone With Safari

Apple's built-in browser, Safari, does let you play YouTube videos in the background on your iPhone without switching to desktop mode:

  1. Open Safari and go to the YouTube website by typing youtube.com into the address bar and search for a video via YouTube's search icon at the top-right. Alternatively, paste the video link in Safari's search bar to open it directly.
  2. Safari will most likely redirect you to YouTube's mobile version, but you can switch to the desktop version by tapping the aA button at the bottom of your screen and selecting Request Desktop Website.
  3. Play the video you want.
  4. Now, minimize Safari. The video might stop; no worries.
  5. Open your iPhone's 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.
  6. Tap the play icon to continue playing the YouTube video in the background, even with your screen off.

Play Videos in the Background With YouTube Premium

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, formerly known as YouTube Red, is YouTube's paid subscription, which starts at $11.99/month. Apart from an ad-free experience, YouTube Premium also allows you to listen to videos with your screen off or while using other apps with picture-in-picture mode.

Signing up for YouTube Premium also grants you access to YouTube Music Premium, which is a streaming service that competes with Spotify and some of the best music streaming services.

If you're a heavy YouTube user who doesn't use other music streaming services yet, this is a great value since most other music streaming services are $10/month and don't include any YouTube perks.

However, try to check if YouTube Premium is worth it 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 to Play YouTube Videos in the Background

If none of the above works 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.

You might want to check out PiPiFire for iPhone. It's a Safari extension for playing YouTube videos in the background and picture-in-picture mode.

You can also use a tool to download online videos to download YouTube videos and enjoy them at your convenience. However, ensure you're not violating copyright law while downloading YouTube videos.

Remember to 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 lets you listen to YouTube videos in the background, but that doesn't work anymore.

You're better off trying some of the options we mentioned above or trying to watch videos on other sites. Of course, if you think it's worth it, you can also subscribe to YouTube Premium.