Playing YouTube in the background on your iPhone is a handy trick to keep your favorite tunes or podcasts playing while you multitask. It’s a simple process that involves a few steps and adjustments to your device settings. Once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be able to enjoy uninterrupted audio from YouTube videos even when your iPhone screen is off or you’re using other apps.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Play YouTube in Background iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, let’s clarify what we’re trying to achieve. By following these instructions, you’ll be able to listen to YouTube audio in the background, which means you can use other apps or lock your iPhone without the audio stopping.
Step 1: Open YouTube in Safari
Navigate to the YouTube website using the Safari browser on your iPhone.
Using the Safari browser is crucial because this method doesn’t work with the YouTube app. Make sure you’re logged into your YouTube account if you want to access your playlists or previously watched videos.
Step 2: Play the Video of Your Choice
Select and play the YouTube video whose audio you want to listen to in the background.
This can be any video, but it’s perfect for music, podcasts, or any content where the audio is the main focus.
Step 3: Press the Home Button or Swipe Up
If your iPhone has a Home button, press it; if not, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to minimize Safari.
This action takes you to your iPhone’s home screen, and the YouTube video will stop playing, which is expected.
Step 4: Access Control Center
Swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to access the Control Center.
For iPhones with a Home button, you’ll need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Step 5: Tap the Play Button
In the Control Center, tap the play button to resume playing the audio from the YouTube video.
You may need to swipe left in the Control Center to access the music playback controls.
After you complete these steps, your iPhone will continue playing the audio from the YouTube video even when you lock your screen or switch to using other apps. This way, you can enjoy listening to YouTube content without having to keep the app open and the screen on.
Tips for Playing YouTube in Background iPhone
- Make sure your Safari app is up to date for the best performance.
- If you have YouTube Premium, you can play videos in the background using the official YouTube app.
- Remember to charge your iPhone, as playing audio with the screen off can still drain the battery.
- Use headphones or a Bluetooth speaker for a better listening experience.
- Be aware of your data usage if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, as streaming video (even in the background) can use up your data quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play YouTube in the background using the YouTube app?
No, the ability to play videos in the background is a feature of YouTube Premium.
Does this method work on iPads as well?
Yes, you can follow the same steps to play YouTube in the background on an iPad.
Will the video continue to play if I receive a phone call?
The audio will pause for the duration of the phone call and should resume once the call has ended.
Can I skip or go back to the previous video using the Control Center?
Yes, if you’ve played multiple videos in the same Safari tab, you can use the next and previous buttons in the Control Center.
What should I do if the audio doesn’t play in the background?
Double-check that you’re using Safari and not the YouTube app, and make sure you followed all the steps correctly. If it still doesn’t work, try restarting your iPhone.
Summary
- Open YouTube in Safari
- Play the video of your choice
- Press the Home button or swipe up
- Access Control Center
- Tap the play button
Conclusion
Playing YouTube in the background on your iPhone is a game-changer, especially for those who love to multitask. Whether you’re tackling chores, driving, or simply looking to save battery life, this feature ensures that your audio experience is uninterrupted. While it may not be a direct feature of the YouTube app, the workaround using Safari is simple and effective. Remember that while this method does not require a YouTube Premium subscription, supporting content creators through premium subscriptions can also be beneficial. Happy listening, and enjoy the seamless audio experience that YouTube in background iPhone offers!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.