8 Solutions to Fix YouTube Premium Not Playing in Background on Android and iPhone
YouTube Premium offers a convenient feature that allows you to play videos in the background on your mobile device. It's perfect for listening to music, podcasts, or watching content while multitasking or with the screen turned off. However, there may be times when YouTube Premium stops playing in the background on your Android or iPhone. Don't worry, though, as there are several solutions to fix this issue. Let's explore them!
1. Check Your YouTube Premium Subscription Status
Before trying anything else, it's essential to check your YouTube Premium subscription status. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the YouTube app and go to the “You” tab.
- Tap the gear icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Purchases and membership” to check your membership status.
If your subscription has expired, you'll need to renew it. Additionally, if you're in a region where YouTube Premium is not supported, background play won't work. You can check Google's support page for a list of supported countries.
2. Enable Background Play From YouTube Settings
Make sure you haven't disabled background playback for YouTube videos when locking your phone. Here's how to check:
- Open the YouTube app and go to the “You” tab.
- Tap the gear icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Background & downloads.”
- Select “Playback” and choose “Always on.”
3. Enable Background Data Usage for YouTube (Android)
If you've applied background data restrictions to the YouTube app, it may prevent videos from playing in the background. Here's how to remove them:
- Long press on the YouTube app icon and tap the info icon.
- Tap on “Mobile data” and enable the toggles for “Allow background data usage” and “Allow data usage while Data saver is on.”
4. Disable Battery Saver Mode
Enabling battery saver mode on your phone can also prevent the YouTube app from playing videos in the background. Try disabling battery saver mode to see if it resolves the issue.
- For Android: Open the Settings app, go to “Battery,” and turn off the toggle for “Power saving.”
- For iPhone: Open the Settings app, tap on “Battery,” and disable the “Low Power Mode” toggle.
5. Restart Your Phone
Sometimes, temporary glitches with your Android or iPhone can hinder the YouTube app's background video playback. Restart your phone and try using the YouTube app again.
6. Sign Out and Sign Back In
Signing out and then signing back into the YouTube app can resolve issues with YouTube Premium features like background play. Here's how to do it:
- For Android: Open the YouTube app, go to the “You” tab, tap the “Switch account” button, select “Manage accounts,” and remove your account. Then, sign back in.
- For iPhone: Open the YouTube app, go to the “You” tab, tap on “Switch account,” and select “Use YouTube signed out.” Then, tap on “Sign in” and sign back in.
7. Make Sure YouTube Notifications Are Enabled
If you've turned off notifications for the YouTube app, it could be causing YouTube Premium to stop playing in the background. Enable notifications for the YouTube app using these steps:
- For Android: Long press on the YouTube app icon and tap the info icon. Tap on “Notifications” and enable the toggle for “Allow notifications.”
- For iPhone: Open the Settings app, scroll down to the YouTube section, tap on “Notifications,” and enable the toggle for “Allow Notifications.”
8. Update the App
Regular updates are essential for any app, including YouTube. If you haven't been updating the YouTube app, now is the time to do so. Updating the app can help resolve any bugs that may be causing the issue. Visit the Play Store or App Store to update the YouTube app.
Enjoy Background Play Magic
YouTube Premium's background play feature is incredibly useful for multitasking or saving battery life. Although it may not work flawlessly all the time, one or more of the above solutions should help fix any underlying issues. With these fixes, you can seamlessly play videos in the background on your Android or iPhone with YouTube Premium.

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