Tech Desk 
Dec 26, 2024
If you want to listen to YouTube audio in the background on your iPhone, you typically need a YouTube Premium subscription, priced at $13.99/month. However, there is a simple workaround that allows users to listen to their favourite YouTube videos while using other apps or with the device locked—without a subscription.
YouTube has included several significant features, including ad-free viewing and background audio, behind a paywall. This easy method overcomes those restrictions, enabling audio playback for music, podcasts, and other content without any subscription.
Heres how to listen to YouTube audio in background on iPhone
Gadinsider has compiled a step-by-step guide to listen to YouTube audio in background on iPhone:
- Launch Safari on your device and visit YouTube.
- Search for the video whose audio you want to listen to.
- Tap the left-hand icon in Safari’s address bar.
- Select "Request Desktop Website" from the popup menu by clicking on the More (three-dot) button in the bottom-right corner.
- Play the video and ignore any pop-ups encouraging you to open the YouTube app.
- Lock your iPhone by pressing the Side button. To continue playback, tap on the Play button in the Lock Screen playback controls widget.
Once these steps are followed, YouTube audio will continue to play in the background, even with your device locked, allowing you to enjoy videos seamlessly without needing YouTube Premium.
