• Source:JND

YouTube has officially closed a long-used workaround that allowed users to play videos in the background on mobile browsers without a Premium subscription. After weeks of complaints from users, Google confirmed that background playback is now blocked on third-party browsers such as Samsung Internet, Brave, and Vivaldi. This feature was widely used by non-subscribers to listen to music and podcasts with the screen turned off. With the latest change, YouTube is enforcing its Premium-only policy more strictly across all platforms.

Google Ends Background Playback Loophole

For years, users avoided YouTube’s screen-on restriction by using browsers other than Chrome. However, Google told Android Authority that background playback is meant to be an exclusive benefit for YouTube Premium members. The company said it has updated the service to provide a “consistent” experience across devices. As a result, audio now stops as soon as the app is minimised or the phone screen is locked for users without a paid subscription.

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Browsers Most Affected

The change has been reported most frequently by users of:

- Samsung Internet

- Brave

- Vivaldi

Many users now see a brief system message labelled “MediaOngoingActivity” before playback controls disappear completely. Some Brave users claim the feature still works occasionally after recent updates, but most reports suggest the restriction is being enforced directly from YouTube’s servers. Clearing browser cache or changing Picture-in-Picture settings no longer restores background playback.

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Google’s Push Toward Premium

This move is part of Google’s wider effort to convert free users into paying subscribers. By removing background playback from mobile browsers, YouTube leaves users with two options:

- Keep the screen on, increasing battery drain

- Subscribe to YouTube Premium for uninterrupted background audio

People who primarily use YouTube for music or podcasts will find this annoying because it makes it less convenient for those without a paid plan.

To put it briefly, YouTube has closed one of its most well-known loopholes by banning free background playback on third-party mobile browsers. By enforcing the rule at the server level, Google has made it difficult for users to bypass the restriction through browser settings or workarounds.


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