A long-used workaround for free background playback on YouTube is coming to an end as Google tightens control over Premium-only features.
Google has confirmed that it is closing loopholes that allowed non-paying users to play YouTube videos in the background. Background playback is one of the key features tied to YouTube Premium, along with ad-free viewing.
For a long time, users relied on third-party mobile browsers such as Samsung Internet, Brave, and Vivaldi to keep videos playing while switching apps or locking their screens. In recent days, many users reported that this method no longer works. Google has now confirmed that it has taken action to block such access.
“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.”
The company has not shared how many users are affected by the change. However, the move reinforces Google’s intent to keep background playback limited to paid subscribers.
YouTube Premium is commonly linked with ad-free viewing, but it also includes other locked features such as offline downloads and background play. Over time, developers and users had found simple ways to bypass these limits, especially through browser-based playback on mobile devices.
While alternative workarounds may still exist, most require more complex steps than simply opening a browser. This makes them less practical for everyday users and suggests Google has largely achieved its goal of closing easy access paths.
The update reflects Google’s effort to standardize user experience across platforms and protect Premium features from being used without payment.
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