Why You Need a Workaround
YouTube blocks background playback to encourage Premium subscriptions. However, browsers that support extensions can bypass this restriction by masking the Page Visibility API.
Supported Android Browsers
- Microsoft Edge Canary (Chromium‑based, supports extensions out of the box)
- Mozilla Firefox (works without extensions, but can use the “Disable Page Visibility API” add‑on for reliability)
Browsers That Won’t Work
- Google Chrome
- Brave
- Vivaldi
- Samsung Internet (no suitable add‑ons yet)
Step‑by‑Step Setup Using Edge Canary
1. Install Microsoft Edge Canary from the Google Play Store.
2. Open Edge, go to the extensions page, and add Violentmonkey (a userscript manager).
3. Install a YouTube background‑playback userscript (search for “YouTube background playback Violentmonkey script”).
4. Restart Edge to apply changes.
5. Open YouTube, start a video, then switch to another app. When the video pauses, tap the play button in the notification shade. The video should resume and continue playing in the background.
Alternative Method with Firefox
If you prefer Firefox, you can either rely on its built‑in ability to keep videos playing or install the “Disable Page Visibility API” extension for extra consistency.
Things to Keep in Mind
- The workaround may stop working if YouTube updates its detection methods.
- Edge Canary’s extension UI is less polished than Chrome’s.
- Using userscripts carries a small security risk; only install scripts from trusted sources.
When to Consider YouTube Premium
If you find the setup cumbersome or want guaranteed background playback plus other benefits (ad‑free viewing, downloads, etc.), subscribing to YouTube Premium is a reliable alternative.