YouTube Reportedly Ends Background Playback for Free Users on Third-Party Browsers

Google-owned YouTube appears to have tightened access to one of its most sought-after features—background playback—by blocking it for non-Premium users on third-party mobile browsers. The change reportedly follows a recent update that enforces YouTube Premium exclusivity more strictly across platforms, closing a loophole that previously allowed free users to continue audio playback while multitasking.

YouTube Premium, first introduced in 2018, has long positioned background playback as a core subscriber benefit. The feature allows users to continue listening to videos even after minimising the app or turning off the phone’s screen. Until recently, some non-Premium users were able to access this functionality via select third-party mobile browsers, but that workaround now appears to be disabled.

Google Restricts Background Playback on Third-Party Browsers

Official Confirmation From Google

According to a report by Android Authority, Google has confirmed that background playback for non-Premium users has been intentionally disabled. Citing a Google spokesperson, the publication quoted the company as saying:

"Background playback is a feature intended to be exclusive for YouTube Premium members. While some non-Premium users may have previously been able to access this through mobile web browsers in certain scenarios, we have updated the experience to ensure consistency across all our platforms."

This clarification suggests that the change is not a bug, but a deliberate policy enforcement aimed at maintaining feature parity across YouTube’s ecosystem.

What Changes for Non-Premium Users

Immediate Audio Cut-Off

Following the update, background playback now stops instantly when a non-Premium user turns off the phone’s screen or switches to another app. This effectively removes the ability to listen to music, podcasts, or long-form videos in the background without a paid subscription.

Browsers Affected by the Update

Based on user reports across Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), the restriction appears to be impacting popular third-party browsers, including:

• Samsung Internet

• Brave

• Vivaldi

Users attempting to use the previous workaround reportedly see a “MediaOngoingActivity” notification briefly appear, after which media controls disappear entirely.

Workarounds No Longer Effective

Common Fixes Fail

Several users have claimed that traditional fixes—such as clearing browser cache, adjusting Picture-in-Picture settings, or tweaking background activity permissions—are no longer working. This suggests the restriction is being enforced at the service level rather than through browser-specific behaviour.

Many see the move as part of Google’s broader effort to steer free users toward a paid subscription.

YouTube Premium Pricing in India

Subscription Plans and Benefits

In India, YouTube Premium pricing currently starts at Rs. 149 per month, offering:

• Ad-free video streaming

• Ad-free YouTube Music

• Background playback

• Offline downloads

The Family plan, which extends the same benefits to up to five additional members, is priced at Rs. 299 per month. A two-member plan is also available at Rs. 219 per month.

YouTube Premium Lite Option

YouTube also offers a Premium Lite subscription in India at Rs. 89 per month, providing ad-free access at a lower cost. Since its launch in 2018, YouTube Premium has positioned itself as an all-in-one solution for uninterrupted video and music streaming, including offline viewing.

Why This Move Matters

Pushing Paid Subscriptions

By closing the background playback loophole on third-party browsers, YouTube is reinforcing the value proposition of its paid tiers. The move aligns with a broader industry trend where platforms are increasingly restricting premium features to paid users as competition in digital subscriptions intensifies.

For users who relied on browser-based workarounds, the update marks the end of free background listening—unless they choose to upgrade.

Conclusion

YouTube’s reported decision to block background playback for non-Premium users on third-party mobile browsers represents a clear push toward stricter feature exclusivity. While the change may frustrate users who previously relied on browser-based solutions, it reinforces YouTube Premium’s positioning as the only official way to access background playback. As Google continues to standardise user experience across platforms, free users may find fewer workarounds available—making paid subscriptions increasingly central to how the service is consumed.