Andy Walker / Android Authority
No, it’s not your browser; it’s YouTube.
This week, the company confirmed that it’s cracking down on background playback for non-Premium subscribers. Apps that previously and reliably supported YouTube background playback in the past, including Brave, Vivaldi, and Microsoft Edge, now unceremoniously halt video playback when minimized.
This isn’t a bug, but rather a concerted effort by YouTube to keep the value-adds offered by Premium sacred. However, where there’s a will, there’s usually a way.
If you use an Android browser that supports extensions, you might be able to continue enjoying background playback for a little while longer.
Have you been affected by YouTube's background playback crackdown? 20 votes Yes, as I mostly use browsers to watch YouTube. 35 % Yes, but I'm now using a workaround, another app, or alternative solution. 20 % No, I pay for YouTube Premium. 5 % No, I don't use YouTube's background playback. 40 %
YouTube background playback still works (with some encouragement)
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Unfortunately, only a few Chromium-based browsers support extensions, but Microsoft Edge Canary is a good shout. It’s quick and supports many add-ons out of the box.
You’ll also want to install the extension called Violentmonkey. It’s a userscript manager that I often install before any other add-on, as it lets me modify the visual and functional aspects of my browsing experience.
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