What YouTube background playback workaround is blocked?

YouTube has blocked a workaround that allowed users to play audio from videos with their device screens turned off, which was often accessed through third-party browsers.

Which browsers are affected by YouTube's background playback block?

Users of third-party browsers such as Samsung Internet, Brave, Vivaldi, and Edge have reported being unable to play YouTube sound in the background.

Why is YouTube blocking the background playback workaround?

YouTube limits background playback to Premium subscribers, and blocking this workaround is seen as a move to encourage users to subscribe to YouTube Premium.

Home / Technology / YouTube Blocks Popular Workaround for Screen-Off Audio

YouTube Blocks Popular Workaround for Screen-Off Audio

29 Jan

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Summary

YouTube is blocking background playback via third-party browsers.
Users of Samsung Internet, Brave, Vivaldi, and Edge are affected.
This change is likely to push users towards YouTube Premium.

YouTube Blocks Popular Workaround for Screen-Off Audio

YouTube has implemented a change that is blocking a widely used workaround for background playback. This workaround previously enabled users to listen to audio from YouTube videos with their device screens turned off.

Users who relied on third-party browsers such as Samsung Internet, Brave, Vivaldi, and Edge have reported that this functionality has ceased working. This simultaneous failure across multiple browsers strongly suggests a deliberate action by YouTube to disable the workaround.

The company officially limits background playback on mobile devices to its Premium subscribers. Consequently, targeting this workaround aligns with YouTube's strategy to drive Premium subscriptions. Users attempting this method now find that video playback stops shortly after their screen goes dark.

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