Using YouTube in the background is one of the most requested features by Android users.Whether you're listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, or anything else without having the screen on, being able to play YouTube videos in the background allows you to take full advantage of your smartphone's resources and multitask. This comprehensive guide shows you how. All the available ways to put YouTube in the background on Android, both official and alternative solutions, and a detailed explanation of how to control background applications to optimize your phone's performance and battery life.
Over the years, Android phones have improved in terms of hardware and application management.. Processors, RAM, and storage allow you to run multiple apps at once, but it's not always obvious which apps are running in the background and which ones are affecting battery or resource usage. For this reason, in addition to explaining how to set YouTube in the backgroundThis article discusses how to monitor and control apps running in the background, thereby optimizing device performance.
Is it possible to keep any application in the background?
If possibleMany Android apps are designed to run in the background by default. This allows them to receive notifications, update, and be ready to load quickly when the user needs them. However, having too many apps running in the background can affect the phone's performance and battery life. That's why it's important to know which applications remain active without you realizing it and decide which ones should remain open and which ones should be closed or limited.
- Access Settings on your Android device
- Scroll down to “System” and then look for “About phone”
- Tap on “Software Information” and then tap repeatedly (seven times) on “Build Number” until the message that you are a developer appears.
- You will now have access to the Developer Options
This advanced menu allows you to view and control background processes, optimizing RAM and battery management..
How to know which applications are in the background
Once the Developer Options, you can examine which applications and processes remain active on your device:
- Sign in Settings and scroll down to “Developer Options”
- Select "Running Services" to see a detailed list of apps and processes that are consuming RAM.
- You can check the usage percentage and consider ending those applications that you don't use regularly.
Limiting the number of background apps helps improve battery life and prevent unnecessary slowdowns.If you find pre-installed or useless apps, you can disable them from this advanced menu.
How to stop background apps
To prevent a specific application from continuing to run in the background:
- Go to "Developer Options" and look for "Limit background processes"
- Click on the option and select "No background processes" to impose the maximum restriction
- For system applications that do not allow uninstallation, you can disable them to prevent them from consuming resources.
This will free up RAM and improve battery life., especially useful if you spend hours away from the charger or prefer to allocate your phone's resources to really priority apps.
Official solutions and alternatives to put YouTube in the background on Android
Currently, there are several ways to have YouTube in the background on AndroidThe options are divided into two broad groups: official solutions promoted by Google and alternative methods that allow you to bypass certain restrictions. The most effective methods are detailed below:
YouTube Premium: the official solution with exclusive benefits
The official and Google-backed way to play YouTube in the background is to have a YouTube Premium subscriptionThis service includes numerous advantages:
- Background playback: You can listen to videos even with the screen off or while using other apps.
- No Ads: removes ads before, during and after videos
- Access to YouTube Music Premium: The music-specialized app lets you listen to songs and even switch to audio-only mode to save battery life.
- Multi-device availability: Your Premium account works on both Android and iOS and the web.
How to enable background playback with YouTube Premium:
- Sign up for a subscription from the YouTube app itself or from the official website.
- When you log in and play a video, you can exit the app or turn off the screen without stopping the audio.
You can also take advantage of the free trial month If you haven't previously subscribed to Premium, a common strategy is to create new accounts to take advantage of trial periods, although this may mean losing the history and customization of your favorite channels.
Use YouTube Music to listen to only audio in the background
If you are a YouTube Premium user, you can also take advantage of YouTube Music, an official music app that allows background playback:
- Download YouTube Music from Google Play
- Find your song, album or playlist and start playing
- You can switch to audio-only mode to maximize battery savings.
- When you exit the app or turn off the screen, the audio continues to play without interruption.
It is important to remember that YouTube Music is focused solely on musical content. and does not allow you to play regular videos or podcasts that are not classified as music.
Benefits and limitations of picture-in-picture (PiP) mode
El picture-in-picture mode PiP reduces the video to a floating thumbnail on top of other apps, allowing you to browse and use your phone while the video remains visible. This feature is available natively on Android for Premium users, although in some countries it may be available for free accounts, with the caveat that it is not allowed for music videos or restricted content.
To enable PiP mode on YouTube (if available):
- Play any video within the official YouTube app
- Exit the app by pressing the home button; the video will appear in a floating window that you can move and resize.
- You can continue using any other app while watching or listening to the video.
The PiP option is extremely useful for multitasking., although it is not universally available and may be limited in certain countries depending on Google agreements and policies.
Free Methods to Play YouTube in the Background on Android
If you don't want to pay for YouTube Premium, Android offers functional free alternatives for listening to YouTube videos in the background. These methods, while not officially "endorsed" by Google, are very popular and easy to implement:
1. Using web browsers (Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox)
With Google Chrome:
- Opens Google Chrome on your Android and access youtube.com
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select "Computer View" or "Desktop Site."
- Start the desired video
- Quit the Chrome app. The video audio will pause, but you can resume it from the notification bar where a mini player will appear.
- With this method you can turn off the screen or continue using the phone without cutting the audio.
With Mozilla Firefox:
- Opens Mozilla Firefox and enters
- Install the free extension Video Background Play Fix
- When the extension is active, play any video
- You can minimize the app, turn off the screen, or perform other tasks and the audio will continue to play in the background.
- Control playback from the notification bar
Firefox allows for a more customizable experience, and this extension is ideal for those who prefer a 100% free method without artificial limitations.
2. Third-party apps: more free alternatives
There are alternative applications developed by third parties that allow you to play YouTube in the background, as well as access additional features such as interface customization, ad removal, or audio-only playback. Some of the most notable are:
- YouTube AdvancedYouTube: A very popular app that replicates the original YouTube experience but adds features like background playback, ad blocking, advanced dark mode, and much more. It's not on Google Play, but can be downloaded from its official website. It allows you to listen to audio even with the screen off and offers advanced customization options.
- VLC for AndroidThis media player allows you to play YouTube videos in the background. To use it, share the YouTube video link with VLC and select the "Play as Audio" option. You can turn off your screen and the audio will still play.
- Floating Mini Player AppsThere are apps on the Google Play Store that allow you to search for YouTube videos, play them, and minimize them into a floating window that can be moved around the screen, allowing you to use other apps simultaneously.
These workarounds may violate YouTube's terms of use, so it's recommended that you use them at your own risk and always download apps from secure sources.
3. Other alternative browsers and additional tricks
Beyond Chrome and Firefox, browsers like Dolphin Browser Brave users can also enable YouTube playback in the background by following similar steps (enabling desktop mode and controlling audio from notifications). Additionally, with certain versions of Android, the operating system itself allows native PiP functionality if the app or browser supports it.
Tips to optimize YouTube background playback
- Check battery consumption: Playing videos (even in the background) consumes data and battery, especially if you don't use audio-only mode.
- Use wireless or Bluetooth headphones to take advantage of playback while you exercise or work
- Set energy saving: Some power saving modes may affect background operation.
- Update apps and browsers to ensure compatibility with the methods described
How does background playback affect mobile resources?
Running YouTube (or any media app) in the background will consume a lot of processor power and, most importantly, battery life, depending on the selected audio or video quality. However, control and limit other apps in the background (as explained at the beginning) frees up resources and helps make the experience smooth.
On the other hand, playing audio only (without video) is much less energy-intensive. YouTube Music and other alternative apps allow you to switch to this mode to maximize usage time.
Frequently Asked Questions about YouTube in the Background on Android
- Can I use the free methods indefinitely? For now, yes, although Google could modify the behavior of the mobile web or browsers to block them in the future.
- Does the audio stop when receiving a call? Yes, as with any multimedia app, when you receive a call, playback will pause and can be resumed later.
- Are there risks to using third-party apps? If you download only from official and secure sources, the risk is low, but you should be aware of potential violations of YouTube's terms of use.
- Does it work on all versions of Android? Native methods are guaranteed to work in recent versions. Alternative methods may present issues in very old versions or with manufacturer customizations.
Mastering background app management not only improves your phone's battery life and performance, but thanks to the methods detailed in this guide, you can take advantage of the best ways to put YouTube in the background on AndroidWhether you opt for the Premium option, YouTube Music, browsers with desktop mode, specific extensions, alternative apps, or free tricks, you now have all the tools to enjoy your favorite content without restrictions, customizing the experience according to your needs and preferences. This way, your Android smartphone will be able to accompany you with the best music, podcasts, and videos while you continue using other apps or even with the screen off, maximizing your freedom and productivity.