How to play YouTube in the background on Android and iOS

From rock and pop to podcasts and news, there's a vast amount to listen to on YouTube. But if you navigate to a different app or turn off your screen, you’ll discover that the video and audio on YouTube pauses. That’s because YouTube wants you to watch the ads, which is how they make their money. So how can you listen to your favourite music on YouTube in the background? The most obvious way to access this content is to subscribe to YouTube Premium. Or read our guide below to find out how you can listen to YouTube in the background for free.

Use desktop mode in Mozilla Firefox (for Android)

1. How to play YouTube in the background on Android and iOS

First, run Firefox on your Android phone and enable YouTube. Next, open the menu (three dots icon next to the address bar) and select "Desktop mode". Doing this means that after starting a video on YouTube, you will be able to lock the screen or switch to another application. The disadvantage of this option is that you’ll need to use the computer version of YouTube from your smartphone.

Autobeat Player application (for Android)

2. How to play YouTube in the background on Android and iOS

The Autobeat Player application is available in the Google Play store and allows even more than Mozilla in desktop mode. This program lets you play YouTube in the background and create playlists. You can also listen to tracks from Autobeat and SoundCloud.

Musi application (for iOS)

3. How to play YouTube in the background on Android and iOS

If you have an iPhone, try the free Musi app. This app lets you stream and organise music directly from YouTube. It also allows users to organise unlimited playlists and share playlists with friends.

Oliver Lane
Oliver Lane

Enthusiast of new technologies and modern mobile devices. An avid gadgeteer and GSM accessories tester. More recently, an electronic equipment reviewer and editor. In his free time, he tinkers and plays console. On the etuo blog, he deals with problems faced by smartphone users on a daily basis.

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