YouTube has begun enforcing stricter controls that block background playback through mobile browsers, closing loopholes that previously allowed users to listen to music or podcasts with their screens turned off without paying for a subscription.
Background playback, along with ad-free viewing, is a core feature of YouTube Premium, which costs nearly $14 a month in many markets. Until recently, users were able to bypass the restriction by accessing YouTube through mobile browsers and using functions such as desktop mode, picture-in-picture or third-party add-ons.
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Since late January, those methods have largely stopped working. Playback now halts when the screen is locked, the browser is minimised or a tab is sent to the background, affecting browsers including Samsung Internet, Firefox, Brave, Vivaldi and Microsoft Edge, according to user reports.
Google confirmed the change, saying background playback is reserved for paying subscribers. “Background playback is a YouTube Premium-exclusive feature and will now be strictly enforced across all platforms,” the company told Android Authority, adding that the move was intended to ensure consistent usage.
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The response from users has been largely negative, with critics accusing Google of weakening the free experience to encourage subscriptions. Online forums have already begun discussing alternative scripts and modified clients, suggesting the long-running battle between the platform and users seeking workarounds is likely to continue.
Source: Android Authority