Can I listen to YouTube with screen off?

Answered by Robert Dupre

You can listen to YouTube with the screen off on certain devices and under specific circumstances. However, it is important to note that this functionality may not be available on all devices or in all situations.

On mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, the ability to play YouTube audio with the screen off depends on the operating system and the specific YouTube app you are using. For example, on Android devices, you can play YouTube videos in the background by using the YouTube app or by accessing YouTube through a web browser.

To listen to YouTube with the screen off on an Android device using the YouTube app, follow these steps:

1. Open the YouTube app on your device.
2. Find the video you want to play.
3. Start playing the video.
4. Press the home button on your device to go to the home screen.
5. The audio should continue to play even when the screen is off. You can adjust the volume and control playback using the notification panel or the lock screen controls.

If the audio doesn’t continue to play after you turn off the screen, you can try the following steps:

1. Press the power button on your device to turn off the screen.
2. Press the power button again to turn on the screen.
3. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
4. You should see the YouTube playback controls in the notification panel. Tap the play button to resume playback.

On iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads, the ability to play YouTube audio with the screen off is not officially supported by the YouTube app. However, there are some workarounds. One option is to use the YouTube website through a web browser, such as Safari, and follow similar steps as mentioned above for Android devices.

Another option for iOS devices is to use third-party apps that provide background playback functionality for YouTube. These apps are not officially endorsed by YouTube and may have their own limitations or restrictions, so it’s important to research and choose a reputable app. Some examples of such apps include “YouTube++” and “ProTube.”

While it is possible to listen to YouTube with the screen off on certain devices and using specific methods, it may not be universally available or officially supported. It’s worth noting that the availability of this feature can change over time due to updates to operating systems or YouTube apps.