Playing YouTube in Background on Android: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you tired of having your YouTube app open all the time, only to have it continue to drain your battery? Do you want to watch videos without the app getting in the way? Well, you’re in luck because Android has a feature called "Background Play" that allows you to watch videos in the background. In this article, we’ll show you how to use YouTube to play videos in the background on your Android device.
What is Background Play on YouTube?
Before we dive into the instructions, let’s talk about what Background Play is. Background Play is a feature that allows you to play a video or audio file in the background while you perform other tasks, such as browsing the internet, using the phone, or even watching TV. This means that your phone can continue to run the YouTube app in the background, allowing you to watch videos without interrupting your experience.
Setting up Background Play on YouTube
To set up Background Play on YouTube, follow these steps:
- Open the YouTube app and navigate to the video you want to play in the background.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
- Tap "Settings".
- Scroll down to the "Background" section.
- Tap "Background play".
- Select "Always play in background" and toggle the switch to "On".
- You can also set a specific time in the background to play the video by selecting "Custom" and setting the start time and duration.
Best Practices for Playing YouTube in the Background
While Background Play can be convenient, it’s essential to follow some best practices to avoid battery drain and keep your phone running smoothly:
- Keep the YouTube app updated: Make sure your YouTube app is up-to-date, as new features and improvements may affect Background Play.
- Adjust your background timeout: If you have a long background session, you can adjust the timeout to prevent the app from continuing to run indefinitely.
- Use the "Quick tab" feature: When playing a video, you can switch to the Quick tab by tapping the three dots in the top right corner. This will allow you to quickly change between videos without having to close the app.
- Close other apps: If you find that the YouTube app is consuming too much power, you can close other apps to free up resources.
Using Other YouTube Features to Play in the Background
While Background Play is a powerful feature, there are other ways to play YouTube videos in the background. Here are a few options:
- Multitasking: You can create a multitasking window by tapping the three dots in the top right corner of the YouTube app and selecting "Menu". Then, go to the "System" menu and select "Multitask windows". This will create a new window where you can play videos in the background without affecting other apps.
- Doze mode: If you’re concerned about battery drain, you can enable Doze mode by going to Settings > Power & battery > Doze mode. This will put your phone into a low-power mode, where it only consumes a small amount of power when the screen is off or the device is under low power.
- Background-only video: If you’re watching a video and need to quickly switch to a different app, you can use the "Quick tab" feature to play the video in the background. This will not consume any power or consume any data.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While Background Play can be a convenient feature, there are some common issues that you may encounter. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- Screen not turning off: If your screen is not turning off after playing a video in the background, try closing other apps or restarting your phone.
- Audio not working: If the audio is not working, try restarting your phone or closing other apps.
- YouTube app freezing: If the YouTube app is freezing, try closing other apps or restarting your phone.
Conclusion
Playing YouTube in the background on Android is a convenient feature that allows you to watch videos without having to interrupt your experience. By following the instructions in this article and using best practices, you can enjoy playing YouTube in the background without worrying about battery drain or other issues. Remember to keep your YouTube app updated, adjust your background timeout, and use other features like multitasking and Doze mode to maximize the benefits of Background Play.
Table of Contents
- What is Background Play on YouTube?
- Setting up Background Play on YouTube
- Best Practices for Playing YouTube in the Background
- Using Other YouTube Features to Play in the Background
- Troubleshooting Common Issues