Hey guys! Ever wanted to listen to your favorite YouTube tunes or podcasts without keeping your screen on the whole time? It's super annoying when you just want the audio but your phone's screen is draining the battery. Well, guess what? There are some seriously cool tricks to keep YouTube playing even when your screen is locked. Let's dive into how you can do this, making your listening experience way better and saving that precious battery life!

Why Watch YouTube with the Screen Locked?

Okay, so why would you even want to do this? There are tons of reasons! First off, battery life is a big one. Keeping your screen on constantly just to listen to something is a major battery drain. When you lock your screen, your phone uses way less power. Secondly, it's about convenience. Imagine you're listening to a podcast or a long music mix. You don't need the video playing; you just want the audio. Locking your screen means you can put your phone in your pocket or bag without accidentally skipping or pausing the content. Plus, it's less distracting! If you're trying to focus on something else, like working or reading, having a video playing in the background can be super distracting. Just the audio lets you stay focused while still enjoying your favorite content.

Think about it: you're on a long walk, and you want to listen to an audiobook on YouTube. Keeping the screen on the whole time is just not practical. Or maybe you're trying to fall asleep to a sleep story, but the screen's brightness is keeping you awake. Locking the screen solves all these problems! It's all about making your digital life a little bit easier and more efficient. Who doesn't want that, right?

Method 1: Using a Browser (Safari/Chrome)

One of the easiest ways to play YouTube with your screen locked is by using a mobile browser like Safari or Chrome. This method works because browsers often have different playback behaviors than the YouTube app itself. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Safari or Chrome: Don't use the YouTube app for this; instead, fire up your mobile browser.
2. Go to YouTube: Type "youtube.com" into the address bar and hit enter.
3. Find Your Video: Search for the video you want to watch or listen to. It could be a music playlist, a podcast, or anything else.
4. Start Playing the Video: Tap the play button to start the video.
5. Enter Full-Screen Mode: This step is crucial. Tap the full-screen icon in the video player.
6. Lock Your Screen: Once the video is playing in full-screen, lock your phone by pressing the power button.
7. Access Control Center: On iPhones, swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models). On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen.
8. Resume Playback: You should see a media player control in the Control Center. If the video has paused, tap the play button to resume it. The audio should now continue playing even with your screen locked.

Why this works: When you play the video in full-screen mode within a browser, your phone treats it a bit differently than if it were playing in the YouTube app. The browser allows the audio to continue playing in the background, even when the screen is locked. This is super handy because you don't need any extra apps or complicated setups. Just a simple browser trick!

Troubleshooting: If the audio stops when you lock the screen, try these tips:

• Make sure you're in full-screen mode before locking the screen.
• Check that your browser isn't set to block background audio playback.
• Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies.

Method 2: Using Background Play Apps

Another popular method is using apps specifically designed for background playback. These apps essentially act as a bridge between YouTube and your phone's audio system, allowing you to listen to YouTube with the screen off. There are many apps available on both the App Store and Google Play Store, but here are a couple of reliable options:

• Musi (iOS): Musi is a free app that lets you create playlists from YouTube videos and play them in the background. It’s super simple to use and doesn’t require a YouTube Premium subscription. Just search for your favorite videos, add them to a playlist, and start listening. You can lock your screen, and the audio will keep playing.
• YouTube Vanced (Android): YouTube Vanced is a modified version of the YouTube app that includes several extra features, including background playback and ad-blocking. It’s not available on the Google Play Store (because it violates YouTube's terms of service), so you’ll need to download it from a third-party website. Be careful when downloading apps from unofficial sources, and make sure you trust the source. (Please note that using modified apps can violate terms of service and pose security risks.)

How to use these apps:

1. Download and Install: Find a reputable background play app on the App Store or Google Play Store (or a trusted third-party source for YouTube Vanced).
2. Open the App: Launch the app and follow the setup instructions.
3. Search for Videos: Use the app’s search function to find the YouTube videos you want to listen to.
4. Create a Playlist (Optional): Some apps allow you to create playlists, which is great for organizing your favorite content.
5. Start Playback: Tap the play button to start the video.
6. Lock Your Screen: Once the video is playing, lock your screen. The audio should continue playing in the background.

Why these apps work: These apps are designed to bypass the YouTube app's limitations on background playback. They essentially trick your phone into thinking the audio is coming from a different source, allowing it to continue playing even when the screen is locked.

Important Considerations:

• Privacy: Always read the privacy policy of any app you download. Make sure you're comfortable with how the app collects and uses your data.
• Security: Be cautious when downloading apps from third-party sources. Only download apps from trusted sources to avoid malware and other security risks.
• Terms of Service: Be aware that using modified apps like YouTube Vanced can violate YouTube's terms of service. Use these apps at your own risk.

Method 3: YouTube Premium

Okay, let's talk about the official way to play YouTube in the background: YouTube Premium. This is a subscription service offered by YouTube that comes with a bunch of perks, including ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and, you guessed it, background playback.

How it works:

1. Subscribe to YouTube Premium: Sign up for YouTube Premium through the YouTube app or on the YouTube website. There's usually a free trial period, so you can try it out before committing.
2. Open the YouTube App: Launch the YouTube app on your phone.
3. Find Your Video: Search for the video you want to watch or listen to.
4. Start Playing the Video: Tap the play button to start the video.
5. Lock Your Screen: Once the video is playing, lock your screen. The audio will continue playing in the background automatically.

Why YouTube Premium is a good option:

• Official and Legal: This is the official way to get background playback, so you don't have to worry about violating YouTube's terms of service or downloading sketchy apps.
• Ad-Free Viewing: One of the biggest perks of YouTube Premium is that you don't have to sit through ads before or during videos. This makes for a much more enjoyable viewing experience.
• Offline Downloads: YouTube Premium also lets you download videos to watch offline, which is great for when you're traveling or don't have access to Wi-Fi.
• Supports Creators: When you subscribe to YouTube Premium, you're also supporting the creators you love. A portion of your subscription fee goes to them.

The downside: The only real downside of YouTube Premium is that it costs money. However, if you watch a lot of YouTube videos, the ad-free viewing and background playback features might make it worth the investment.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, folks! Several ways to keep enjoying YouTube audio even when your screen is locked. Whether you prefer the browser trick, a background play app, or the official YouTube Premium route, there's a method that's sure to fit your needs. Now you can listen to your favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks without draining your battery or being glued to the screen. Happy listening!