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

This is freakin' awsome that YouTube videos play in the background on the Home Screen, again!

Screw Google and their YouTube freakin' RED subscription price to get this feature!

YA'DONE GOOD FOR EVERYONE WANTING THIS FEATURE BACK!

I found this page after quickly googling this issue. For me, private browsing mode didn't work. Chrome didn't work, Firefox didn't work. I haven't tried the more detailed process of clearing cache data from YouTube or toggling blocking pop ups, but I've solved this by simply requesting the desktop site in safari for the specific video I want played in the background. From the share sheet on the bottom center of safari open and scroll left until you see the option to request the desktop site. Then it should work as it has in the past. Hope this helps.

On Safari, or any third party web browser, with the Listen on Repeat website, if you first find your video on YouTube, first, copy the video's name, then in the Listen on Repeat search box, past in the name of that particular YouTube video, that will generate a list of videos that closely match the search name.

Find your exact video in that list and tap to play.

When the video plays, tap on the video and there is an icon for playing the YouTube video in a smaller background window.

The YouTube video will play in a smaller box in one of the corners of the iPad.

Exit the web browser and return to the iPad's Home screen and the YouTube video should still continue to play!

This Listen On Repeat website workaround WORKS!

Good Luck to You!

The only method that worked for me is this:

-open a private tab in safari

-go to YouTube.com

-request desktop version of the site

-then I could keep the video playing in the background.

For whatever reason, none of the other methods worked for me. I tried 3 other browser in regular and private tabs, but it wouldn't work.

You're right, too!

This works, too!

You need to redirect iOS web browsers to the Desktop site of YouTube.

Then, background viewing works this way, too!

Much easier solution and works!

Thanks for finding this solution, as well.

Currently, your solution is working for me, as well.

I have saved the Desktop URL of YouTube for future use.

THANX!!!!!

You are not addressing anyone cognizant from Apple here with the exception of the forum creation staff, forum moderators and a few "official" forum community technical specialists.

Everyone else that responds here are just Apple product users just like you.

I am using the desktop version of YouTube in a web browser and background YouTube playing from the Home screen is working fine.

You can't use the mobile YouTube website OR the YouTube iOS app, if you want to get videos to play on the Home screen or while using other apps.

Also, another workaround was mentioned and explained using the website Listen On Repeat.

This method, while a little more involved, works.

We're all using iPads with iOS 10 and I don't understand why some users, like myself, are having success in getting YouTube videos to play on the Home screen of their iDevices/iPads and others can't get this to work.

I had the same issue but there is this app called Video Saver. (It has pink, white, orange, and a arrow pointing down. Just because they won't let me put the pic here.) I use all the time. Hope it works for you.

I am finding with browser desktop YouTube mode that sometimes the player controls in the video disappear when you tap on a video directly to play the video.

Without the in-video controls, you can't select the move video window function icon.

I found a workaround that if you tap and hold on a video, a pop up menu appears and if you simply select the Open option, the YouTube video will open with the standard video controls will appear located right under the video window like they always should.

I think I figured my situation out. For some reason, it only works if I'm in desktop mode AND the video I want to listen to is in a playlist. If it stops working again, I'll try your solution too. Could this whole thing be a screw-up on Apple's part, or is YouTube making it so everyone, both browser and app users, need to put 13$ per month into their corrupt pockets? I've only had the problem with background playing since late last night, could YT have released an update yesterday?

Clodsparks wrote:

I think I figured my situation out. For some reason, it only works if I'm in desktop mode AND the video I want to listen to is in a playlist. If it stops working again, I'll try your solution too. Could this whole thing be a screw-up on Apple's part, or is YouTube making it so everyone, both browser and app users, need to put 13$ per month into their corrupt pockets? I've only had the problem with background playing since late last night, could YT have released an update yesterday?

I don't know.

I am watching a YT video in the background while I'm typing this reply to you.

So, I do not know, if anything is going on from Apple's or Google's/YouTube's end or just user error going on here.

I'd think folks would be making videos about it if it were a new update on YT's part, since talking about YouTube's bad decisions is a bit of a trend and it's possible they're trying to make everyone pay for a formerly free feature for all versions, but I guess not that many people like to browse while listening to asmr

People may have already made videos about it but it's a fairly recent thing that's happened, but they might be hard to find. If it's apples fault then it doesn't explain this which someone posted earlier:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/768848040

Personally I think it's youtubes doing, because it only works in private tabs- i.e. You're not logged in and it doesn't know if you have YouTube red :)

Eureka! I've finally found a solution -Dolphin Browser works perfectly!
I listen to lectures and audiobooks on youtube while I'm on the road but I need to be able to view my google maps app for directions. Until recently, the ability to listen to youtube audio while using another app was nonexistent after the latest ios update but fortunately, after scouring the interwebs, I came across a suggestion: Dolphin Web Browser.
I downloaded the browser and skeptically tried it but to my delight, it works like a charm! Best of all, it's completely FREE! Take THAT youtube RED subscription service!

I still not able to despite playing YouTube from firefox. I'm using iphone 7+ with version 10.3.1

It always showing "loading" in the control panel. I cannot even see the title of the video I play in YouTube.

Had the same problem for a while. Yes Firefox works. Just be sure you type in the web address and hit no if it asks to open YouTube application. Also make sure you are on the desktop site vs the mobile version. I have some found issues unless these steps are otherwise followed.