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

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.

Forgot to mention, once selected video begins playing wait a few seconds then you can click on the home button. Slide the menu bar from the bottom and hit play button. Success! You now have background YouTube video abilities.

The solution below works for me. I am using iPhone 7+ iOS 10.3.1

1) Clear safari browsing history and data from settings > Safari

2) Open youtube.com in safari private browser

3) Request for desktop site

4) play the video , it will become full screen

5) wait for a few seconds ( like 4 , 5 seconds )

6) hit home button ( both video and sound will stop )

7) Pull up the control center and swap to view media player.. you should see the title of YouTube video and click play button to play

8) Press power button to off your screen, video will continue to play in the background.. you can play/ pause from control center or using the button from ur earphone

Hope it helps ..

I am on an iPad and I didn't have to do haif of what you are doing to get background/Home screen viewing of YouTube videos to work.

I don't know what is going on here and why we have users posting bunches of different procedures about this.

I am using a different web browser (NOT Dolphin web browser, which is a great third party web browser, btw, but missing some other very important features that I think all third party iOS web browsers should have) and I can use the desktop website version of YouTube, NO private browsing mode involved ( I am currently logged into my YouTube/Google account) and I can initiate background/Home screen viewing of YouTube Videos just fine.

I don't even need the Listen on Repeat website to accomplish this any longer.

It seems to me that there should be one, maybe two standard methods to get this background YouTube playing functionality back without scads of different user methodologies for doing so.

Mate I wish there was one or two solutions but users seem to have many because for some they don't work :/

For me today (on iPhone 6) using private mode and requesting desktop sites:

Chrome works

Firefox works

Safari works

Dolphin works BUT the audio scroll bar of the video appears blank for me, so theres no way of knowing how long is left etc.

Okay so I tested this today, open chrome, click the three dots (attached to chrome, not the youtube page) and click "request desktop site" play the video, and then it will show up with your screen locked. <3

This worked!! Yay! Although, I do wish Safari would just work ugh. It was my favorite app... if we gotta start paying for the background play there's gonna be a riot. No one's gonna want to do that bc we're a lazy ppl. Kinda like Apple's radios. Used to be fre but now...? Like no one uses those, just get Pandora. Geez. I hope Safari doesn't take away my favorite feature DX

You are my fave person today, Firefox tried to reply to my complaint About this and tried to blame apples new update.....to which I haven't done yet... :/ it's amazing how these companies would lie so blatantly to my face and asssume they are not at fault lol thank you

If you shake your iDevice 5 times like a magic 8-ball, you too can get the YouTube app to play in the background!

Sheeesh!

I cannot believe how scattered this post has become!

How many more users are going to come here to post THEIR "definitive" solution to this YouTube background playing issue in this thread!

Flippin' unbelievable...

Why doesn't everyone posting expend the energies looking for a place on Google's/YouTube website to complain/send feedback to Google about taking this feature away and making users pay a ridiculous monthy subscrpition pricing model to simply watch/listen to YouTube content in the background on our mobile devices!

Instead of everyone posting SCADS of workarounds that don't seem to work for everyone with the same issue!

"How many more users are going to come here to post THEIR "definitive" solution to this YouTube background playing issue in this thread! "

Because everyone wants a solution instantly not one from google to take a few weeks solving/replying saying you need to buy YouTube red.