Watching YouTube with your screen locked is a feature many of us wish came built-in, but there are actually several clever ways to make it happen. Let me walk you through your options for enjoying YouTube while your screen is off.
Method 1: YouTube Premium
The most straightforward solution is YouTube Premium. Yes, it costs money ($11.99/month), but it’s the official way to get background play. With Premium, you can lock your screen or switch to other apps while your video keeps playing. It’s like having music streaming capabilities for any YouTube content.
Method 2: Browser Workaround
Here’s a neat trick that’s completely free. Open YouTube in your mobile browser (Safari for iOS or Chrome for Android) instead of the app. Then:
1. Play your video
2. Switch to desktop mode in your browser settings
3. Exit to your home screen or lock your device
4. Use your control center/notification panel to hit play again
For iOS Users
If you’re using an iPhone, there’s a particularly handy method using Safari:
– Open YouTube in Safari
– Start playing your video
– Click the ‘AA’ button in the address bar
– Select ‘Request Desktop Website’
– Lock your screen
– Swipe down to access Control Center
– Tap the play button
Third-Party Apps
While I can’t specifically recommend third-party apps (since they come and go from app stores), there are several alternative YouTube players available that offer background playback. Just be careful to read reviews and check permissions before installing any third-party apps.
Picture-in-Picture Mode
Here’s something many people don’t realize – if your device supports Picture-in-Picture (PiP), you can use this as a workaround:
1. Start playing your video
2. Enable PiP mode
3. The video will float on your screen
4. You can now use other apps while the video plays
A Word of Caution
Remember that some of these methods might stop working after app or system updates. YouTube regularly patches unofficial background playback methods to encourage Premium subscriptions. If one method stops working, try another from this list.
The best long-term solution, if you frequently want to listen to YouTube with your screen locked, is probably YouTube Premium. Think of it as similar to your music streaming subscription – it’s an investment in your listening experience, plus you get the added benefits of no ads and YouTube Music access.
What’s your preferred method for listening to YouTube with your screen locked? I’d love to hear what works best for you!
