If YouTube’s background play is not working on your mobile browser app, you aren’t alone. After weeks of user reports, Google has officially confirmed that it is blocking the ability to play videos with the screen off on third-party browsers like Samsung Internet, Brave, and Vivaldi, closing one of the most popular loopholes used by non-subscribers to access this YouTube Premium feature for free.
Google ends free background video play loophole for YouTube on mobile browsers
For years, savvy mobile users avoided the “screen-on” requirement by simply switching to a browser that wasn’t Chrome. However, a Google spokesperson recently shared a clarification with Android Authority. They said that background playback is intended to be an exclusive benefit for YouTube Premium members. The company stated that they have updated the platform to ensure a “consistent” experience across all devices. This means if you don’t have a paid account, the audio will now cut out the moment you minimize the app or lock your phone.
The change seems to affect users of Samsung Internet and Brave the most. When attempting to use the background workaround, many now see a fleeting notification labeled “MediaOngoingActivity” before the media controls disappear entirely.
Some users on privacy-focused browsers like Brave have reported intermittent success after recent updates. But the general consensus is that the door is firmly shut. Standard troubleshooting—such as clearing the browser cache or toggling Picture-in-Picture settings—no longer restores the feature. It seems Google is enforcing the block directly from YouTube’s servers.
A push toward Premium
This latest crackdown is part of a broader strategy to convert free viewers into paying customers. By removing the ability to listen to YouTube with the screen off via third-party browsers, Google is leaving users with a simple choice: keep the screen active and drain your battery, or sign up for the monthly Premium subscription.
Everything seems to indicate that the “Golden Age” of free YouTube multitasking is coming to an end. The company is working on patching all the loopholes that free users can resort to. For those who use the platform as a background music or podcast service, the transition to a paid model may now be the only way to maintain that convenience.
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