How to play YouTube in the background on an iPhone? [Full Detail]

How to play YouTube in the background on an iPhone?
How to play YouTube in the background on an iPhone?

Are you tired of being limited to watching YouTube videos only when your iPhone’s screen is active? Well, fret no more! In this guide, we will show you a nifty trick on how to play YouTube in the background on your iPhone, allowing you to enjoy your favorite content while multitasking or even with your screen turned off.

Playing YouTube videos in the background on an iPhone may seem like an elusive feature, but fear not, there is a simple workaround. Follow these steps to unlock a whole new level of YouTube enjoyment:

  1. Launch the Safari browser on your iPhone and navigate to the YouTube website.
  2. Find the video you want to play and start it playing.
  3. Now, here comes the magic: simply press the home button to exit Safari. The video will pause, but don’t worry, we’ll fix that soon.
  4. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open the Control Center.
  5. In the Control Center, you’ll find the media controls. Locate the play button and give it a tap.

Voila! The YouTube video will start playing again, but this time, it will continue in the background while you switch to other apps, reply to messages, or even lock your screen. You now have the freedom to listen to music, podcasts, interviews, or educational content on YouTube without any interruptions.

Remember, this trick works specifically with the Safari browser, so make sure to follow these steps when accessing YouTube on your iPhone. Now, go ahead and unlock a world of possibilities by playing YouTube in the background on your iPhone!

Methods to enable YouTube background play

Are you an iPhone user who enjoys listening to music or podcasts on YouTube? If so, you may have experienced the frustration of not being able to play YouTube videos in the background while using other apps or when your phone’s screen is turned off. However, there are methods available that can help you overcome this limitation and enable background play on your iPhone.

Playing YouTube in the background on an iPhone can be achieved through a few different methods. One popular method is to use the YouTube Premium subscription service, which offers the ability to play videos in the background while using other apps or when the screen is off. With a YouTube Premium subscription, you can enjoy uninterrupted audio playback from YouTube even when you’re not actively using the app.

Another method to enable background play on an iPhone is by using web browsers that support desktop mode. By accessing YouTube through a web browser like Safari or Google Chrome and switching to desktop mode, you can play YouTube videos in the background. This workaround allows you to enjoy audio playback while multitasking on your iPhone.

Method 1: Take a YouTube premium subscription

Method 1: Take a YouTube premium subscription
Method 1: Take a YouTube premium subscription

If you’re an iPhone user and want to play YouTube videos in the background, one effective method is to subscribe to YouTube Premium. With a YouTube Premium subscription, you gain access to a variety of additional features, including the ability to play videos in the background while using other apps on your iPhone.

To play YouTube in the background on your iPhone using YouTube Premium, follow these simple steps. First, download and install the YouTube app from the App Store if you haven’t already. Then, sign in to your YouTube account. Next, open the YouTube app and find the video you want to watch.

While the video is playing, press the home button on your iPhone to exit the YouTube app. The audio will continue playing in the background. You can now open any other app or navigate to your home screen while enjoying the audio from the YouTube video.

It’s important to note that the ability to play YouTube in the background is only available with a YouTube Premium subscription. This subscription not only allows background play but also removes ads from videos, provides access to YouTube Originals, and allows for offline viewing.

YouTube Premium Plans: 

YouTube Premium offers a range of plans that provide users with enhanced features and a more seamless viewing experience. One such feature is the ability to play YouTube videos in the background on an iPhone, even when the app is closed or the device is locked.

For iPhone users who have a YouTube Premium subscription, playing YouTube videos in the background is a simple process. First, ensure that you have the YouTube app installed on your device and that you are logged in with your Premium account. Then, open the YouTube app and find the video you want to play. Start playing the video, and then exit the app by pressing the home button or swiping up from the bottom of the screen, depending on your iPhone model.

Once you’ve exited the YouTube app, the video will continue playing in the background. You can access the playback controls by swiping down from the top right corner of the screen to open the Control Center. From there, you’ll see the video player controls, allowing you to pause, play, or skip to the next video.

This feature comes in handy when you want to listen to music or podcasts on YouTube while using other apps or when your iPhone is locked. It enables a more flexible and convenient way to enjoy YouTube content without having to keep the app actively open on your device.

In addition to background playback, YouTube Premium offers several other benefits, such as ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and access to YouTube Originals. These features enhance the overall user experience, making YouTube Premium a compelling choice for those who frequently use the platform.

How to use the YouTube Background Play feature:

How to use the YouTube Background Play feature:
How to use the YouTube Background Play feature:

Playing YouTube videos in the background on an iPhone can be a convenient way to listen to music or podcasts while multitasking or using other apps. Although the YouTube app itself doesn’t natively support background playback, there are alternative methods to achieve this functionality.

One way to play YouTube in the background on an iPhone is by using the Safari browser. Open Safari and go to the YouTube website. Find the video you want to play and start playing it. Then, press the Home button to exit Safari, and the audio will continue playing in the background. You can control playback using the Control Center or the lock screen controls.

Another option is to utilize third-party apps specifically designed for background playback. These apps, available on the App Store, allow you to play YouTube videos in the background without any interruptions. Simply install the preferred app, launch it, and search for the desired video within the app. You can then play the video and switch to other apps while the audio continues in the background.

Method 2: Use Appleā€™s Safari app

If you want to know how to play YouTube videos in the background on your iPhone, you can make use of Apple’s Safari app. While YouTube’s official app doesn’t allow background playback on iPhones, Safari provides a workaround that enables you to enjoy your favorite videos while multitasking or when your device is locked.

Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Launch the Safari app on your iPhone.
  2. Visit the YouTube website by typing “www.youtube.com” in the address bar.
  3. Search for the video you want to play in the background and start playing it.
  4. Once the video starts playing, exit the Safari app by pressing the Home button or swiping up from the bottom (depending on your iPhone model).
  5. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center.
  6. In the Control Center, you’ll find the playback controls. Swipe left on the Control Center to reveal additional controls.
  7. Among the controls, you’ll see the play/pause button. Tap on it to resume playback of the YouTube video you were watching in Safari.
  8. The video will now continue playing in the background, allowing you to use other apps or even lock your iPhone while still enjoying the audio.

Things to note while following the above steps: 

If you want to know how to play YouTube videos in the background on your iPhone, there are a few steps you can follow. Although the YouTube app on iOS doesn’t natively support background playback, there is a workaround that can help you achieve this functionality.

Firstly, open the Safari browser on your iPhone and go to the YouTube website. Search for the video you want to play in the background and start playing it. Once the video starts playing, exit Safari by pressing the home button or swiping up from the bottom of the screen, depending on your iPhone model.

Now, open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen on newer iPhone models or up from the bottom on older models. In the Control Center, you should see the media playback controls. Tap on the play button to resume playing the YouTube video in the background.

You can now navigate to other apps or even lock your iPhone, and the YouTube audio will continue playing. However, keep in mind that this method only allows audio playback and won’t display the video itself.

It’s worth noting that this workaround might not work if you have a YouTube Premium subscription, as background playback is a premium feature provided by YouTube. Additionally, it’s important to respect copyright and usage rights when playing YouTube content in the background, ensuring that you have proper permissions or licenses for any videos you wish to listen to.

By following these steps, you can enjoy listening to YouTube videos in the background on your iPhone and multitask with other apps or even lock your device while continuing to enjoy your favorite content.

Method 3: Use free Safari extensionPiPiFire

If you’re an iPhone user and want to play YouTube videos in the background, there’s a handy solution available: the free Safari extension called PiPiFire. This extension allows you to enjoy your favorite YouTube content while multitasking on your iPhone.

To begin, you’ll need to download and install the PiPiFire extension from the Safari App Store. Once installed, open the Safari browser on your iPhone and navigate to YouTube’s website. Find the video you want to play in the background and start playing it.

Next, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone’s screen to access the Control Center. In the Control Center, you’ll see the PiPiFire extension icon. Tap on it, and the YouTube video will continue playing in the background, even if you exit the Safari browser or lock your iPhone.

This feature is particularly useful if you want to listen to music, podcasts, or other audio content from YouTube while using other apps, browsing the web, or even when your device is locked. It allows for a seamless and uninterrupted experience, enhancing your productivity and entertainment options on your iPhone.

It’s worth noting that PiPiFire is specifically designed for Safari on iOS devices, and it works solely with YouTube. Other video streaming platforms or browsers may not be compatible with this extension. Additionally, since PiPiFire is a third-party extension, it’s always a good practice to ensure you’re downloading and using extensions from trusted sources to maintain the security and privacy of your device.

Final words

If you’re an iPhone user and wondering how to play YouTube videos in the background, there are a few methods you can try. Unfortunately, the official YouTube app for iOS does not support background playback, meaning that the audio stops as soon as you exit the app or lock your phone. However, there are workarounds you can utilize to achieve this functionality.

One option is to use the Safari browser on your iPhone to access YouTube. Open Safari and navigate to the YouTube website. Find the video you want to play, then play it. Once the video starts playing, exit Safari and press the home button to return to the home screen. Now, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center. In the Control Center, you’ll find the playback controls. Tap the play button to resume playing the audio of the YouTube video.

Alternatively, you can try using third-party apps specifically designed for playing YouTube videos in the background. These apps usually work by playing the audio in the background while you use other apps or lock your phone. However, it’s important to note that these apps may violate YouTube’s terms of service, and they can be subject to removal or changes by Apple or YouTube themselves.

It’s worth mentioning that the availability and effectiveness of these workarounds may vary depending on your iOS version and app updates. So, if one method doesn’t work, it’s worth trying another or checking for any new solutions that may have emerged.