Getting the most out of YouTube on your iPhone doesn’t have to mean keeping your screen on constantly. Let me walk you through some clever ways to enjoy your favorite content while saving battery life and avoiding that annoying bright screen.
Using YouTube Premium
The most straightforward solution is YouTube Premium. Yes, it’s a paid service, but hear me out – it’s actually pretty valuable if you’re a heavy YouTube user. For about $12 monthly, you get background play, which means you can lock your screen or use other apps while your videos keep playing. Think of it like having Spotify, but for YouTube content.
Alternative Methods
Safari Workaround
Here’s a neat trick that many people don’t know about: You can use Safari to play YouTube in the background for free. Here’s how:
1. Open YouTube in Safari (not the app)
2. Play your video
3. Lock your screen
4. When music stops, swipe down Control Center
5. Press play on the media controls
6. Lock your screen again
Third-Party Apps
While I can’t recommend specific third-party apps (since they tend to come and go from the App Store), there are several music streaming apps that can play YouTube audio. Just be careful to read reviews and verify the app’s legitimacy before downloading.
Important Considerations
I should mention that while these workarounds can be helpful, they might not always be reliable. Apple and YouTube regularly update their systems, which can affect these methods. Premium membership remains the most stable option, especially if you’re someone who frequently listens to YouTube content while multitasking.
Making the Most of Background Play
Once you’ve got background play working, you can transform YouTube into a powerful audio platform. I personally use it for:
– Listening to podcast-style videos during workouts
– Playing music compilations while cooking
– Catching up on news broadcasts during my commute
– Following along with educational content while taking notes
Remember, if you’re primarily using YouTube for music, you might want to consider YouTube Music Premium instead of regular YouTube Premium – it’s typically a bit cheaper and focuses specifically on music content.
These solutions should help you enjoy YouTube content more flexibly on your iPhone. Whether you choose the premium route or opt for one of the workarounds, you’ll be able to multitask while listening to your favorite content without draining your battery keeping the screen on.
