How to Play YouTube Videos in Background on Android

YouTube is home to a varied range of content. Starting from TV shows, tutorials, funny sketches, to music videos and simply audio content with a static image tagged to it. For the latter, there is no need to keep the app active. Yet the official YouTube app still doesn’t support video playback in the background. However, there are some simple workarounds to this problem. So if you are annoyed with not being able to stream YouTube videos in the background, here are some hacks on how to play YouTube videos in background on Android.

How to Play YouTube Videos in Background on Android

Use YouTube Red for Streaming Videos

YouTube Red, if you don’t know, is a subscription based service by Google. So yes, there is a paid alternative for YouTube as well. Now, for the money you are paying, you will gain access to some original shows exclusive to YouTube Red as well as avoid ads and of course, play videos in the background. However, a thing to note here is that the service is currently only available for United States and you can subscribe directly from the official YouTube app.

Once subscribed to YouTube Red, you will notice that even after closing your YouTube app, the audio playback is available, and the video will continue to play in the background.

Stream your Videos using Firefox or Chrome

What do you use on your computer to play YouTube videos with screen off on Android? You just use your regular browser and minimize it, right? This solution is sort of the same.

Step #1. Open Chrome or FireFox whichever your prefer, on your smartphone.

Step #2. Now go to YouTube and start the video you want to play in the background.

Step #3. Once it is playing, go to your browser’s menu and request for ‘desktop website’.

Step #4. Now hit the home button on your device to go back to your home screen. You should notice that the audio playback is still available.

Step #5. If not, tug down on the notification menu and hit the play button associated with Google Chrome.

Seems easy, doesn’t it?

Try Using Awesome Pop-up Video

And for the last alternative, we are going to talk of a separate app to play YouTube videos. Say hello to Awesome Pop-up Video. The app creates a pop-up window for the desired video you want to play, so this allows you to do anything while the video keeps playing.

Now the app is available in a free and a paid version. The free version allows you to only play videos that are a maximum of 5 minutes long. Whereas with the paid alternative, there is no such limitation. Both the version of the app works in the same way and, so it would be wise to check out the free version if you like the interface.

Here is a step wise guide on how to use the app, if you get into some trouble.

Step #1. Open YouTube using a browser on your Android Phone.

Step #2. Now search for the video you want to play in the pop-up window. Get the corresponding URL of the Video.

Step #3. Launch the app, paste the URL and tap on the button to the right.

Step #4. Now just close this app and voila. Your video is in a pop-up window.

Not happy with above solutions? You can download YouTube videos on iPhone or Android and then watch them offline.

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