Many people use their Android phones to listen to music, podcasts, or even lectures and audiobooks on YouTube and other video platforms. However, we've all experienced the frustration of playback stopping as soon as we turn off the screen, something very common in the official YouTube app unless you have a Premium subscription. Would you like to be able to listen to any video with your phone locked or the screen off? This article explains in detail all the options and tricks to achieve this, as well as some useful tips to improve your experience.
Not all methods require paying for premium services or installing additional apps. There are simple solutions that take advantage of browser features, free apps, or even web playback settings. Below, we'll explain in detail all the ways to listen to videos on Android with the screen off, with detailed explanations and practical tips to help you find the one that best suits you.
Why do YouTube and other apps mute sound when the screen is off?
Before getting into the subject, it is useful to understand why this limitation occurs. The official YouTube app on Android pauses playback when the screen turns off or if the user switches to another app. This restriction is primarily designed to encourage the use of YouTube Premium, the paid service that, among other benefits, allows you to play videos and music in the background or with the screen locked.
However, this feature can be essential if you want to listen to music, podcasts, or simply take advantage of the screen being off to save battery life. Fortunately, there are several ways to circumvent this limitation at no cost.
How to listen to videos on Android with the screen off: options explained
Analyzing what the main technological media and experts are offering, there are different methods for listening to videos with the screen off. Let's look at them one by one, highlighting their advantages, disadvantages, and steps to implement them.
1. Browsers with background playback support
One of the simplest and most direct alternatives is to use browsers that allow sound to play in the background, that is, even when the app is not active or the device is locked. Among the most notable are Brave, Chrome, and Firefox, although each has its own nuances to consider.
Brave Browser: The most practical and fastest option
Multiple experts agree that Brave is one of the most recommended browsers for these cases. Brave not only respects background playback, but also includes a dedicated option to easily enable it. Here's how to do it:
- Download and install Brave from the Google Play Store (the app is free and also available for iOS, although we focus on Android here).
- Open Brave and access the menu Settings → Multimedia → Background Playback.
- Activate the function. From here, navigate to youtube.com, find the video you want to hear and play it.
- You can turn off the screen or open another app; the sound will continue to play. From the notification bar, you'll have a widget to easily pause or resume.
This method is highly reliable and requires little configuration.. It also allows you to create playlists and manage them just like on the YouTube website.
Chrome and Firefox: general alternatives
Chrome and Firefox can also enable this functionality, although the experience may not be as smooth as with Brave. In these browsers, it is often necessary to request the desktop version from YouTube so that playback doesn't stop when you lock the screen. The process would be as follows:
- Open Chrome or Firefox and go to youtube.com.
- Enter the menu (usually three vertical dots) and choose 'Request desktop site' to change the appearance to the full web version.
- Select the video you want to listen to and play it.
- When the video starts, lock your phone. This will pause the video, but when you wake up the screen, the media player in notifications; press 'Play' and it will continue playing even if the phone is locked.
This trick is practical and does not require installing anything extra, although it varies depending on the manufacturer's customization layer. (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google, OPPO, etc.), so it is advisable to test on your model.
2. Use specific apps: NewPipe and alternatives on Google Play
If you prefer a dedicated app-based solution, you can turn to options such as NewPipe, an open source client that allows you to play YouTube videos in the background and with the screen off.
How does NewPipe work?
- You must download the APK from NewPipe from its official website or trusted repositories (not on Google Play).
- First, you need to activate the installation from unknown sources in your Android's security settings.
- Install the app, open it, and search for the YouTube video you want to listen to.
- Once inside the video, you will see an option called 'Play in background' or 'Background'; turn it on, and you'll be able to turn off the screen and still hear the audio.
Main advantage: it's free, ad-free, and highly customizable. However, since it requires manual installation, it may not be the most convenient option for all users. Furthermore, it's not an official app.
Apps from the Play Store: Black Screen
Additionally, there are apps on Google Play designed to "turn off" the screen while keeping other processes active. Black Screen It is one of the most popular, designed for devices with AMOLED or OLED screens.
- Creates a black screen overlay that saves battery and allows video and sound to continue playing.
- Allows you to lock and unlock the virtual screen with a floating button.
- It is primarily used to play music, podcasts, record audio or video, or listen to streams while the screen appears to be off.
It doesn't replace locking your phone, but it simulates the "screen off" effect very well and is useful in specific cases., especially if you want to save battery.
3. Paid solutions: YouTube Premium and alternatives
The most direct and hassle-free option, although it requires a fee, is to subscribe to YouTube Premium. For a monthly fee, you can unlock background playback, no ads, and access to YouTube Music.
- Allows lock the phone and continue listening to any video or playlist.
- Includes additional features such as offline downloads.
However, most users are looking for free alternatives. That's why browser methods and third-party apps tend to be the most talked about and used.
Considerations based on Android brand and customization
Some of the methods described may vary depending on the phone brand or model, as well as the customization layer (One UI, MIUI, OxygenOS, etc.). On brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Google and OPPO these tricks usually work well, but on other devices the restrictions may be greater. Try the different methods on your mobile to choose the most effective one..
Step-by-step tutorial for listening to videos with the screen off
Gathering information from reference websites, we leave you with one detailed guide to do it without the need for external apps or a subscription:
- Open the official YouTube app and go to the video you want to listen to.
- Balance 'Share' and then 'Copy link'.
- Open your preferred browser (Brave, Chrome, Firefox) and paste the URL into the address bar.
- Play the video. If you are using Chrome or Firefox, please request the desktop version.
- Once the sound starts, lock your screen. The sound will stop.
- Turn on the screen (without unlocking), access the media player in the notification bar and press 'Play'. The audio will resume even if the screen remains off.
This trick is compatible with most current devices and requires no installation or payment.
Additional Apps and Tools: Other Useful Options
In addition to the main methods, there are other interesting alternatives and recommendations for those who want to take advantage of this functionality even more.
- Web apps and light versions: Some Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones allow you to install the YouTube web app, which also offers the option to listen in the background.
- Apps like Black Screen: They don't play content in the background, but maintain a "black screen" over playback to save battery life and allow you to hear only the audio.
- iPhone Transfer Tools: If you are interested in the feature on iPhone, there are apps like set WhatsApp audios as ringtones that facilitate the reproduction of different contents.
