Youtube won't play in the background on iOS 10.1.1?

When I play a video on YouTube, either through browser or app, if I exit out and pull up Control Center, the title of the video is there in music, but when I press play, it goes blank, and there is no sound. Anyone else having this issue? I'm using an iPhone 6s.

Posted on Nov 4, 2016 10:53 AM

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Posted on Sep 1, 2017 8:07 AM

I had his same problem. I am working in IOS 10.X (newest version, don't recall the number) and tried the private browsing to no avail. However, I discovered that if you force YouTube to work in desktop mode through the website's settings (next to the search bar), it works perfectly.

254 replies

Oct 15, 2017 8:32 PM in response to Vellosia

I have found when you use a third party app to use YouTube that it works, I came looking on here hoping there just something in settings I had to switch to get it to work, but apparently It’s not that simple, I’m ok using the third party app, I just wish I could use my safari instead to keep it simple, I would give out my third party app but I was looking on the AppStore for it to send a picture and I can’t find it, it seems to have been deleted.

Sep 5, 2017 12:03 PM in response to Vellosia

Actually, Apple gave a secret update to the control centre. That thing you are talking about, earlier also worked on iOS 10.2.1. At the moment, you might have noticed that, 3rd party apps like Spotify, Documents 6, ... are given scrubbing feature in the control centre, without updating the app, and without updating the iOS. I am still on iOS 10.2.1. I don't know how apple automatically updates the control centre. Some miracle, developers don't know yet about the iOS !

Jan 19, 2017 11:43 AM in response to Vellosia

I'm having the same problem. A couple of days ago, YouTube background playback stopped working out of nowhere. I don't know what's wrong with it, but whenever I go to Control Center and hit "play", it just goes blank. I've tried restarting Safari (I prefer the YT layout on Safari over the actual app), and I've tried restarting my iPod completely. Nothing has worked, and if I have to pay for YouTube playback, heads are going to roll.


I have an iPod 6 with iOS 10.2, and I use YouTube through Safari. I updated the iPod when the update came out over a month ago, and I'm just now having this problem.


Somebody help!

Feb 14, 2017 6:16 AM in response to Demo

Youtube did play in the background if you play it through Safari. Press the home button, swipe up, then swipe left and press play. Until recently this would allow youtube to play in the background. Now when I press the play button the screen changes from what I was listening to on Youtube to "Music now playing on headphones."


It is quite possible that Youtube has restricted this as they want you to subscribe to their Red Channel.

Mar 21, 2017 8:41 PM in response to OliCoon

I'm having the same issue! It has been working for years, up until tonight. I usually select a YouTube video (through safari), play the video, presss the home button, swipe up to get the audio controls, and press play. That usually works, but now when I press play, it goes blank and shows "music" and does nothing. Very inconvenient since I like to listen to relaxing sounds to help me fall asleep. Hopefully there is a solution. So far tried closing all apps, and restarting my iPhone. Ps I have iPhone 7.

Mar 28, 2017 7:40 PM in response to ColtonMuzo

I'm sorry man! It's still works for me on private mode. Before iOS 10.3 it worked even in regular mode. I don't know if this is due to geographical area limitations. I live in the U.S.

Try these steps:

1. Clear browsing data and history

2. Alternatively, I was able to get it to work on chrome mobile browser. Both regularly and incognito.

Hope this solves your issue.

Mar 29, 2017 7:03 AM in response to Samknight20

March 29, 2017 - 8:53 am central time

Updated my iPhone 7 to 10.3 last night, March 28.


I have Safari, Chrome, and Firefox browsers on my iPhone. I am signed into my YouTube account in all browsers.


Cleared browsing data and history on Safari this morning. Safari will NOW play YouTube in the background in both regular and private modes.


CHROME will not play YouTube in the background. I am signed into my YouTube account.


Firefox WILL also play YouTube in the background. I am signed into my YouTube account.


I deleted both Chrome and Firefox and reinstalled the apps. Hope this helps.

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Youtube won't play in the background on iOS 10.1.1?

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