Top 10 Apps that Can Play YouTube in Background [iOS & Android]

Last Updated on 2023-11-23 SahilSharma
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top apps to play youtube in background

There are lots of things you could watch on YouTube, ranging from TV shows, movies, tutorial, music videos, et al. However, when using the YouTube mobile, it is basically not possible to play any content in the background. You must be on the content's screen to watch it; the moment you minimize the YouTube app, your content stops playing, and this is a big problem for many people. Hence, people lookout for how to play YouTube in background.

Well, it is possible to stream YouTube in background if you're a premium subscriber. More so, on certain Android smartphones that run on Android 8.0 or later versions, you could watch YouTube videos on PIP (Picture in Picture) mode. There are also some 3rd party mobile applications that allow you to watch YouTube videos in background.

This article contains some workarounds on how to play YouTube in background on iPhone and Android devices.

Part One: Top 5 Play YouTube in Background iPhone Apps

1. Tube Master

Tube Master


Using the Tube Master mobile app for iOS, you can play YouTube content in background with needing any subscription. This mobile app is intuitive to use and comes with a distinctive interface that allows you to scoop YouTube for the content you love to watch.


Interestingly, Tube Master lets you create custom playlists with songs or videos from YouTube. It is an all-inclusive mobile app with quite a bunch of handy features. Tube Master allows you to stream YouTube videos in 360p or 720p resolution; thus, you' re going to enjoy clear and detailed images. This mobile app is available for iPhones and iPads.

2. NetTube

NetTube

NetTube is a new mobile application that supports streaming YouTube content in background. It comes with a flexible user interface that allows you to access tons of digital content across various networks. The mobile app is free to download and support search filters to help you discover the exact content you want to stream.


Thanks to the several supported features of this app, it is one the best “play YouTube in background iPhone app.” At the moment, NetTube is only available for iPhone and iPad – it is free to download, and supports high-quality YouTube videos .

3. YouTube App (YouTube Premium)

YouTube

The YouTube app supports background playback; however, it requires you are a premium subscriber before you can access this feature. YouTube Red used to allow this feature (background play), but it has been discontinued, with YouTube Premium taking over as a better choice .

When you're a YouTube Premium subscriber, you won't see ads when streaming your favourite content and you'll have access to originals. YouTube Premium subscription comes standard with ad-free access to YouTube Music. With YouTube premium subscription, you can minimize the YouTube app and continue with other actions, and your content will continue playing in background.


You will need to renew your subscription monthly to continue enjoying the YouTube premium features. It's still the normal YouTube app that you're going to use – obviously, the app is available for iOS and Android.

4. Safari Browser (iOS 12 and iOS 11)

Safari play youtube in background

With the Safari web browser for iOS, you can stream YouTube content in background. As you already know, the Safari browser is free to download and use; so there's no way you're going to pay for a premium plan to allow you to play YouTube in background.


So, what's the trick here? It's quite simple – use YouTube in “Desktop Site” mode. Since YouTube plays in background on PCs, the desktop mode also makes it play in background on iPhones. Below are the steps.


How to play YouTube in background iPhone

  • Launch Safari browser on your iPhone device running iOS 11 or later version

  • Open YouTube on the browser and start watching a video

  • Click on the browser’s menu button and select “Request Desktop Site."

  • The YouTube page will refresh upon this request and load the video in desktop interface.

  • Click on the tabs selector, open a new tab on the browser, and then return to your home screen.


The YouTube content will be playing in background.

5. FireFox Browser

firefox

This web browser app also acts as a “play YouTube in background iPhone app.” The interesting thing about using the Firefox app is that it continues to play your YouTube file even when the device screen shuts off. However, the workaround here isn’t so different from what’s explained above for Safari.


How to play YouTube in background iPhone

  • Firstly, you have to install the Firefox browser on your iPhone device or iPad.

  • Open YouTube (type youtube.com into the address bar) on the browser and search for the video you wish to watch

  • When you’ve found the video, play it!

  • Click on the options (more) button and click on "Desktop Site."

  • The page will reload in desktop mode.

Minimize the browser, go to your Control Center (swipe up) and press the Play button to start playing your YouTube video in background. You won’t be able to stop the playback unless you open the browser page where the YouTube video is playing, and then stop the playback from there.

These are the top best “play YouTube in background iPhone apps” to use. If you use an Android smartphone, check below.’

Part Two: Top 5 Play YouTube in Background Android Apps

6. DVDFab Video Downloader App

play youtube in background video downloader

The DVDFab Video Downloader app is a distinctive app with lots of features. It allows you to play YouTube in background even when your device screen shuts off. More interestingly, you can download YouTube music and movies directly to your phone using this mobile.

Also, DVDFab Video Downloader app lets you download YouTube playlists; it is the first multi-functional YouTube video downloader app. More so, you could download and stream content from over 1000 sites right on the mobile app.


How to play YouTube in background Android

  • Download and install DVDFab Video Downloader app

  • Launch the app and search for the music you want to listen to

  • Play the video and minimize the app; your YouTube music will continue to play in background

7. Tapz

tapz

TapZ is quite a surprising app; it does not show ads and yet available for free on Google Playstore. The app is an advanced, all-in-one mobile app that provides a lot of handy features. It lets you access YouTube videos and play them in background. More so, TapZ interface is absolutely user-friendly.

The developer of this app allows users to send in the features they wish to see on the app – and on the next version release, you get to see some of those features. TapZ works perfectly and allows you to access other apps or do other things with your Android smartphone while your favourite YouTube content plays in the background.

8. Opera Touch

opera touch

When it comes to interface, Opera Touch is the mobile browser app with the best interface you could imagine. Well, it could act as a play YouTube in background Android app. As a mobile browser, Opera Touch supports a wide variety of features, but that's not what to consider here, for the purpose of this article. To use Opera Touch browser as a play YouTube in background app, follow the steps below:

How to play YouTube in background with Opera Touch

  • Install Opera Touch browser from Google Play store and launch it on your device

  • Open YouTube (type youtube.com into the address bar) and search for your video.

  • Click on the three dots at the top right to access the browser options.

  • Select “Desktop site” and wait for the page to refresh

  • Minimize the browser and use your device for other activities

If the YouTube content stops playing, slide down the notification panel and click the “Play” icon.

9. Google Chrome

google chrome

The Google Chrome browser is another mobile app that can allow you to stream YouTube content in background. There’s no need emphasizing much about this as the workaround remains the same with the other browsers listed in this article. Simply open the browser, visit youtube.com and search for video, activate desktop mode, and minimize the browser to use your phone for other activities.

However, it is not possible to use Google Chrome to play YouTube in background on iPhone or iOS devices.

10. Awesome Pop-up Video

awesom popup video

How about playing the YouTube video in picture-in-picture mode? Awesome Pop-up Video app allows you to play videos in a pop-up window; the video will occupy just a little part of your screen, and you can choose the location it should stay while you use your phone for other purposes. There are quite a bunch of handy features packed by this app.

You won’t have to close your screen while using this app; it’s inclusion in the list is because it actually allows you to access other apps and do other things while your YouTube continues playing. To use Awesome Pop-up Video app, head to playstore and install the app on your Android device.


If you’re still looking for how to play YouTube in background app, you should check the last option below.


What more?


Now, that you've understood how to play YouTube in background, it’d be nice to also show you how to download YouTube playlists and songs to your mobile device or PC.


Part Three: How to download YouTube video on PC or Mobile?

Using DVDFab Video Downloader software, you can easily download YouTube songs and playlists easily and quickly. DVDFab Video Downloader is a multi-feature online video downloader that allows you to download videos from over 1000 sites. It has a mobile app version you can install on your smartphone for more flexibility.


Interestingly, DVDFab Video Downloader supports HD videos, and you can choose to extract the “Audio” in YouTube music videos. Besides, we've picked Top 12 Best YouTube to MP3 Converters to Convert Videos Freely.

1. How to download single YouTube videos?

dvdfab video downloader

  • Download and install DVDFab Video Downloader on your PC

  • Launch the app and click on YouTube

  • Search for the video you want to download and play it

  • While the video is playing, click the "Download" icon at the top-left corner and choose from the available video qualities.

  • Click "Ok" to download the YouTube video.

Note: click the "Music" tab if you want to download only "Audio."


2. How to download YouTube playlist (Using Mobile Phone App)


DVDFab Video Downloader also serves as a YouTube playlist downloader. It allows you to download YouTube playlists quickly on moble phone app, below are the steps:

step1 play youtube background

  • Open the DVDFab Video Downloader mobile app

  • Click on the download icon at the bottom

  • Select the playlist you wish to download

  • Click the “Download” icon

  • Choose your settings

  • Press the “Download” button below

step2 play youtube background

Summary:


This article has explained how to play youtube in background with mobile phone apps, the best play youtube in background apps, and how to download youtube playlist. The DVDFab Video Downloader is the best tool to use in downloading YouTube content.

if you like to stream YouTube on website when you are using your PC, then you'd better check out top 10 YouTube websites alternative that can play in background while you are working or viewing other web pages.

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