Playing YouTube Videos in the Background on Android: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you enjoy watching YouTube and want to stream music on your Android smartphone, you may have faced the frustrating limitation of the official app: once you turn off the screen or switch applications, the audio stops playing.
There are alternatives to bypass this limitation, including installing specific apps designed for this purpose. However, many users either lack storage space for additional apps or prefer not to clutter their devices with unnecessary applications. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution using a mobile web browser that most Android users are likely already functioning with. This article will demonstrate how you can achieve this using both Firefox and Chrome.
How It Functions
If you’ve used Firefox or Chrome to play media before, you might have realized that audio playback continues even if the display is turned off. This is also reflected in notifications, allowing you to pause or play the media anytime. This feature is applicable to various types of media, from Soundcloud tracks to downloadable. mp3 files from the web.
The strategy is to set up Firefox or Chrome to treat YouTube videos just like other audio media. This way, the video can continue playing even when the screen is deactivated. Unfortunately, simply browsing YouTube through these browsers won’t allow this; the audio will stop playing as soon as you turn off the screen. To enable background playback from YouTube, we need to trick Firefox or Chrome into thinking it’s in desktop mode. This will allow YouTube to function normally and keep playing audio in the background.
Steps for Using Firefox
To start using Firefox for background playback, go to the YouTube page that you want to access. Next, click on the three vertical dots found in the upper-right corner of the browser.
Select “Request Desktop Site.”
Once the video is playing, you should see the Firefox logo in the notification area. If you turn off your screen or exit the app, it should continue to play audio. If it pauses, you can simply swipe down on the notifications to resume playback.
Occasionally, the Firefox logo may disappear and audio may stop when you exit the app. If this happens, turn off the desktop site mode and re-enable it before trying to play the video again.
Steps for Using Chrome
To utilize Chrome, navigate to the YouTube video you wish to play in the background. Click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Then, choose “Desktop site.”
As the video begins to play, a small speaker icon will appear in the notification bar. If you leave Chrome, the audio will pause. No worries! Just swipe down on your notifications and click play to continue listening.
Background Playback Options
Though many applications are specifically designed for background audio playback of YouTube videos, you can also accomplish this with web browsers you likely already have on your device! Now you know how to use both Firefox and Chrome effectively.
What methods do you prefer for playing YouTube videos in the background on your Android device? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
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