YouTube Ends Background Playback Workarounds on Android and iOS

YouTube recently recovered from playback issues, but new changes now frustrate mobile users. The service has started blocking background audio playback on mobile browsers, effectively removing a long-used workaround unless users subscribe to Premium.

Background playback workarounds no longer work on mobile

For years, many users relied on third-party mobile browsers such as Samsung Internet, Brave, Vivaldi, and Microsoft Edge to listen to YouTube videos with the screen turned off. That workaround no longer works on smartphones and tablets.

The change, first spotted by PiunikaWeb, stops audio playback almost immediately when users lock their screen or minimize the browser. Reports so far show the restriction affects both Android and iOS devices.

Many users initially blamed browser updates or a temporary bug. However, a spokesperson for Google confirmed to Android Authority that the behavior is intentional. Google says background playback should remain an exclusive feature for YouTube Premium members.

According to the company, the update ensures consistent behavior across platforms. In practice, non-Premium mobile users now lose access to background audio playback entirely.

With this change, mobile users face a clear choice: subscribe to YouTube Premium at around $14 per month or give up listening to videos with the screen off. The move has already sparked criticism, as many see it as another step toward locking previously accessible features behind a subscription.

Beyond playback changes, YouTube is tightening rules around low-quality AI-generated content and taking part in a trial focused on social media’s impact on mental health.

Via Windows Central