To make YouTube Music keep playing, especially when your screen is off, you generally need a YouTube Music Premium subscription. This feature, known as background playback, allows your music to continue uninterrupted even if you lock your device or switch to another app.
Enabling Background Playback with YouTube Music Premium
For subscribers to YouTube Music Premium, background playback is a core feature that is typically enabled by default.
Simple Steps for Continuous Playback:
- Open the YouTube Music App: Launch the YouTube Music app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Select Your Music: Choose any song, album, playlist, or station you wish to listen to.
- Start Playback: Begin playing your selected content.
- Turn Off Your Screen: You can now turn off your device's screen, and the music will continue playing seamlessly in the background without interruption.
- Manage Background Playback: Even with your screen off, you can often control playback (pause, skip, adjust volume) using your device's lock screen controls or notification panel.
YouTube Music Free vs. Premium: Key Differences
The ability to play music with your screen off is a primary differentiator between the free and premium versions of YouTube Music.
| Feature | YouTube Music Free | YouTube Music Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Background Playback | No (music stops when screen is off) | Yes (music continues with screen off) |
| Ad-Free Listening | No (includes audio and video ads) | Yes (completely ad-free) |
| Offline Downloads | No | Yes |
| Audio-Only Mode | Yes (on mobile, but no background play) | Yes (with background play) |
| YouTube Main App | No background play for videos | Yes (for all YouTube content, if bundled) |
For more details on subscription benefits, visit the official YouTube Premium help page.
Troubleshooting Background Playback Issues
If you have a Premium subscription and your music is still stopping, consider these potential solutions:
- Check Your Subscription Status: Ensure your YouTube Music Premium subscription is active and not expired. You can usually check this in the YouTube Music app settings under "Purchases & Memberships."
- App Permissions: On Android, ensure YouTube Music has the necessary background app permissions. Go to your phone's Settings > Apps > YouTube Music > Battery or Background Activity and make sure it's not restricted.
- Battery Optimization: Some devices or battery-saving modes might aggressively close apps running in the background. Check your device's battery settings and add YouTube Music to the "unrestricted" or "not optimized" list.
- App Cache: Clear the app cache for YouTube Music. This can resolve minor glitches. Go to Settings > Apps > YouTube Music > Storage > Clear Cache.
- Update the App: Ensure your YouTube Music app is updated to the latest version available on your device's app store.
- Restart Your Device: A simple restart can often fix temporary software issues.
By ensuring you have a YouTube Music Premium subscription and checking your device's settings, you can enjoy uninterrupted background music playback.
