Watch YouTube Videos in the Background on Your Phone | No Premium Membership Required

In today’s digital age, YouTube has become a hub of entertainment, education, and inspiration. Whether you want to catch up on the latest music videos, watch tutorials, or follow your favorite vloggers, YouTube offers a vast library of content. However, one limitation that users often encounter is the inability to play YouTube videos in the background on their phones without a premium membership. But fear not! In this article, we’ll explore some handy methods that allow you to enjoy YouTube videos in the background on your phone, completely free of charge.

Method 1: Using the YouTube Mobile Website

If you don’t have a premium subscription or the official YouTube app doesn’t support background play on your device, there’s still a way to work around this restriction. By utilizing the YouTube mobile website, you can listen to your favorite videos while multitasking on your phone. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open YouTube in Your Mobile Browser

Launch your preferred mobile browser and navigate to the YouTube website.

Step 2: Find the Video You Want to Play

Search for the desired video by entering the title or keywords in the search bar.

Step 3: Start Playing the Video

Once you’ve found the video, tap on it to start playing.

Step 4: Minimize the Browser

Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to access the app switcher or home button, depending on your device. This will minimize the browser while keeping the video playing in the background.

Step 5: Control Playback

To control playback, swipe down from the top of your screen to reveal the notification panel. From there, you can pause, play, skip, or adjust the volume of the video.

Method 2: Utilizing Third-Party Apps

Another method to watch YouTube videos in the background without a premium membership is by using third-party apps. Several apps offer this functionality, and they often come with additional features to enhance your YouTube experience. Here are a couple of popular options:

1. NewPipe (Android)

NewPipe is a powerful open-source app exclusively available for Android devices. It allows you to play YouTube videos in the background and offers advanced features like ad-blocking, downloading videos, and more. Follow these steps to get started:

Download and install the NewPipe app from a trusted source.
Launch the app and search for the desired video.
Tap on the video to start playing, and it will automatically play in the background.

NewPipe provides a seamless experience for Android users who want to enjoy YouTube videos in the background without a premium membership. It’s a reliable and feature-rich alternative that enhances your video streaming experience.

NewPipe (Android)
Compatibility	Android devices
Availability	Exclusively for Android devices
Features	Background play, ad-blocking, video downloading, and more
Steps to Use	1. Download and install NewPipe from a trusted source
	2. Launch the app
	3. Search for the desired video
	4. Tap on the video to start playing (it will automatically play in the background)

NewPipe (Android)	Details
App Size	Varies (approximately 10 MB)
Latest Version	0.21.10
Minimum Android Version	Android 4.4 (KitKat)
Support	Open-source community support
Download	Available from trusted sources like F-Droid or GitHub
Developer	NewPipe Contributors
Official Website	NewPipe GitHub
Features	– Background play
	– Ad-blocking
	– Video downloading
	– Subscribing to channels
	– Managing playlists
	– Customizable settings

NewPipe is an open-source app developed and maintained by the NewPipe Contributors community. It offers various features like background play, ad-blocking, video downloading, and more. The app is regularly updated, with the latest version being 0.21.10. It requires a minimum Android version of 4.4 (KitKat) to run.

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To download NewPipe, you can visit trusted sources like F-Droid or GitHub. The app is not available on the Google Play Store due to policy restrictions. It’s important to note that you should only download the app from reliable sources to ensure security and authenticity.

For more information and updates, you can visit the official NewPipe GitHub page. The app’s development and support are driven by the dedicated NewPipe Contributors community, providing users with a reliable and feature-rich YouTube experience on Android devices.

2. Musi (iOS)

For iOS users, Musi is a fantastic option that provides background play functionality for YouTube videos. It’s a free app available on the App Store. Follow these steps to use Musi:

Download and install the Musi app from the App Store.
Open the app and search for the video you want to play.
Tap on the video to start playing, and it will continue playing in the background.

Musi (iOS)
App Size	Varies (approximately 100 MB)
Latest Version	7.0.7
Compatibility	Requires iOS 11.0 or later
Support	Musi Support Team
Download	Available on the App Store
Developer	Musi App LLC
Official Website	Musi App
Features	– Background play
	– Music streaming
	– Playlist creation
	– Search and discover music
	– Personalized recommendations
	– Social sharing
	– Offline playback

Musi is a music streaming app designed for iOS devices. It allows users to play music in the background, create playlists, and discover new songs. The app has a file size that varies but is typically around 100 MB. The latest version of Musi is 7.0.7, and it requires iOS 11.0 or later to run.

For support, you can reach out to the Musi Support Team for assistance with any issues or inquiries you may have. Musi can be downloaded directly from the App Store, which is the official distribution platform for iOS apps.

The developer of Musi is Musi App LLC. You can visit the official Musi App website for more information about the app, its features, and updates. Some notable features of Musi include background play, music streaming, playlist creation, personalized recommendations, social sharing, and offline playback.

Musi offers a seamless music streaming experience for iOS users, allowing them to enjoy their favorite songs and playlists while multitasking or even when their device is locked.

Method 3: Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode

If your device supports Picture-in-Picture mode, you can leverage this feature to watch YouTube videos in the background. PiP mode allows you to shrink the video into a small window that floats above other apps, enabling you to perform other tasks simultaneously. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Start Playing the Video

Launch the official YouTube app and find the video you want to watch.

Step 2: Enable Picture-in-Picture Mode

While the video is playing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the app switcher. Look for the PiP icon on the video player and tap it.

Step 3: Enjoy Background Playback

The video will now shrink into a smaller window that you can move around the screen. You can switch to other apps, and the video will continue playing in the background.

Conclusion

By following the methods outlined above, you can easily watch YouTube videos in the background on your phone without needing a premium membership. Whether you prefer using the YouTube mobile website, third-party apps like NewPipe or Musi, or taking advantage of Picture-in-Picture mode, these techniques provide you with the flexibility to multitask while enjoying your favorite YouTube content.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use the YouTube app to play videos in the background?

A: The official YouTube app restricts background play to premium subscribers only. However, you can explore alternative methods like using the YouTube mobile website or third-party apps to achieve background playback without a premium membership.

Q2: Are the third-party apps mentioned in the article safe to use?

A: The third-party apps recommended in this article, such as NewPipe for Android and Musi for iOS, are generally considered safe. However, it’s always advisable to download apps from reputable sources and read user reviews before installing them on your device.

Q3: Will watching YouTube videos in the background consume more data?

A: When playing YouTube videos in the background, the data consumption remains similar to when you watch videos with the screen on. However, it’s worth noting that video playback, even in the background, requires a stable internet connection and may consume a significant amount of data depending on the video’s quality.

Q4: Can I use these methods on both Android and iOS devices?

A: Yes, the methods mentioned in this article are applicable to both Android and iOS devices. However, the specific apps mentioned, such as NewPipe and Musi, are exclusive to Android and iOS, respectively.

Q5: Are these methods legal?

A: While watching YouTube videos in the background using the methods described in this article does not violate any copyright laws or YouTube’s terms of service, it’s essential to respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. Ensure you have the necessary permissions or licenses to use the content as intended.