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Google explores background playback for YouTube TV on Android and iOS: Report: Technology News | Technical News

Google explores background playback for YouTube TV on Android and iOS: Report: Technology News | Technical News

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2 minutes read Last updated: Oct 02, 2024 | 10:49 am IS

YouTube offers the background play feature to Premium subscribers, allowing users to continue listening to a video after they leave the app or lock their device. However, this feature did not previously work on YouTube TV or Google’s Live TV service. The feature is expected to come to the YouTube TV app soon.

Allison Toh, product communications manager at YouTube, confirmed to The Verge that the video streaming site is experimenting with adding background playback to YouTube TV for Android and iOS mobile users. This experiment is currently available to a select group of users.

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According to reports from Reddit, the playback feature is now available on Android, according to 9to5Google. Google has been gradually rolling out the feature to YouTube TV and will reportedly work on Android devices, although it is not yet functional on iOS.

The YouTube help page states: “Play videos on your mobile device while you use other apps or your screen is turned off.” Background play is available in the YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids mobile apps (if these apps are connected to your Location available) when logged in with your YouTube Premium member account.”

As mentioned above, background play for YouTube TV is not currently available to everyone. Once available, it is expected to function similarly to other YouTube platforms. The feature is rolling out slowly and could be generally available in the coming days.


How to adjust or disable background playback:

Background playback is available in YouTube mobile apps when you’re signed in with your YouTube Premium account. By default, videos play continuously in the background.

How to customize this feature:

Click on your profile picture and navigate to Settings.

Select “Background & Downloads” and then “Playback.”

Choose your option:

Always on: Videos play continuously in the background (this is the default setting).

Headphones or external speakers: Videos will only play in the background if your device is connected to headphones, speakers, or an external audio output.

Off: Videos are not played in the background at all.

First published: Oct 02, 2024 | 10:49 am IS