How To Play YouTube Videos In The Background On Your Android Without Premium

YouTube Premium makes it easy to play videos in the background, but not everyone wants to pay for it. The good news? You don’t need Premium to keep your favorite songs, podcasts, or lectures running while you check messages or lock your screen. Here’s how you can do it for free on Android.

1. Use a Web Browser (Chrome, Opera, or Firefox)

The simplest method doesn’t even require extra apps.

Steps:

1. Open Chrome, Opera, or Firefox on your Android phone.
2. Go to youtube.com.
3. Tap the three dots in your browser and select Desktop site.
4. Search for the video you want and start playing it.
5. Once it starts, switch apps or lock your screen.
6. If playback stops, pull down your notification shade and hit Play on the media controls.

✅ Works best for music and long videos.

👉 Want a smoother browsing experience? Try these free browsers:

• 🔥 Download Opera GX (Gamer’s Browser)
• 🌍 Try Opera One (Multigeo)

💸 Every install supports COMPUTER EVERYWHERE — thank you!

2. Use Brave Browser (Bonus: No Ads)

If you don’t like fiddling with desktop mode, try the Brave browser (free on the Play Store).

Steps:

1. Install Brave Browser.
2. Open YouTube inside Brave.
3. Start your video — it will keep playing even when you switch apps or lock your phone.

✅ Added perk: Brave blocks ads automatically.

3. Picture-in-Picture Mode (PiP)

Most modern Android phones support Picture-in-Picture, which shrinks the video into a small window you can move around.

Steps:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings > Apps > Special app access > Picture-in-picture.
2. Make sure your browser (Chrome/Opera/Brave/Firefox) is allowed.
3. Start a YouTube video in the browser, hit Home, and the video should pop into a small floating window.

✅ Great if you want to multitask while still seeing the video.

4. Third-Party Apps (Use Carefully)

There are apps like NewPipe or YMusic that let you play YouTube in the background. These aren’t official, so you won’t find them on the Play Store — you’ll need to download from trusted sources.

⚠️ Reminder: since these apps aren’t from Google, they might stop working at any time or carry risks. Stick to browser methods if you want to be 100% safe.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to pay for YouTube Premium just to keep a video running in the background. Whether it’s through Chrome, Opera, Firefox, or Brave, you’ve got free and simple options.

If you mainly use YouTube for music or lectures, I recommend Opera GX or Opera One — they’re lightweight, fast, and every install also supports this site 🙌

👉 Tip: Bookmark this guide so you can quickly set it up whenever you need it.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!