YouTube has become the go-to video platfoem fom many; however, the biggest inconvenience arises with its background playback feature. While listening to music on YouTube, it becomes impossible to move to another app as the platform's background playback feature is locked behind its premium subscription paywall. Leaving the users no other choice but to keep the YouTube app open.
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Free background playback loophole now closed
However, Android users had found a workaround by using third-party browsers such as Edge, Brave, or Samsung Internet, where songs continued playing even after locking the screen or switching apps. That option is no longer available.
Google has clarified that background playback is an exclusive feature reserved for YouTube Premium subscribers. Until now, many users were able to access this feature for free through third-party browsers. YouTube has announced that it has closed this loophole, effectively ending free background playback through external browsers.
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YouTube restricts background play to Premium users
According to multiple media reports, the change has already been implemented. Several users have reported that music now stops playing as soon as the browser is minimised. Some users also said they receive a notification titled “MediaOngoingActivity” shortly before playback stops.
Commenting on the issue, a Google spokesperson reiterated that background playback is a Premium-only feature. While many users had been accessing it through third-party browsers, YouTube has now disabled that functionality.
