iPhone SE - Playing YouTube Audio with Browser Closed

Question

Level 1

11 points

iPhone SE - Playing YouTube Audio with Browser Closed

So I've been doing this without issue for about a year. Once I minimize the browser, the audio would temporarily stop. I'd swipe up to get that shortcut screen. Swipe to the left for the audio control, and hit the play button. Never had an issue. Now, suddenly when I hit the play button the title of the YouTube video disappears from the audio control and it doesn't play anything. I then have to go back and start the YouTube video from the browser. I tried it from my wifes phone, who also has the SE, just to masked sure it wasn't YouTube somehow disabling this functionality. Hers worked just fine. Does anyone know if there is a setting I may have hit to disable this? I use this quite a lot, as I use YouTube often as workout music and have other windows open like workout timers. Any help is appreciated.

iPhone SE, iOS 10.3.1

Posted on Apr 13, 2017 3:47 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 19, 2017 4:58 PM in response to mjedwards409

Actually, this is expected behavior, and is a Google-side implementation. To get background play through Safari or the YouTube app (which allows you to minimize Safari/YouTube) you now need to subscribe to YouTube Red.

It says so right here on the YouTube Red page: https://m.youtube.com/red

"Uninterrupted music.

Use the new YouTube Music app with background play and offline access.

Ad-free & offline video

Enjoy videos without ads–and in the background or offline on mobile devices"

I'm not sure why it worked on your wife's phone, but given that information, it shouldn't.

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Answer 2

mjedwards409 Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 13, 2017 4:38 PM in response to Rudegar

Hey I'm using YouTube on Safari. I tried the app and I had the exact same issue. No different. Makes me think it's something with the phone, not YouTube, because I did it on my wife's iPhone and it worked.

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Answer 3

Grafiker

Level 1

10 points

Apr 18, 2017 3:29 AM in response to mjedwards409

There is a workaround: Use another browser than Safari for YouTube. It works for me with Opera mini. (Try to access the control panel [swipe up from the bottom] while the video is playing in the foreground. Then stop/start it. Press the home button and open the control panel again to star the video in the background.)

Btw. it is the opposite of user friendly what Apple and Google (YouTube) imposes to their user!

Why shouldn't I be able to listen to a talk on YouTube while I browse the Web or play a game on my iPhone? Why I have to waste my iPhone power for the screen backlighting when I only listen to something?!?

Stop this Apple! Stop it!!

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Answer 4

Apr 18, 2017 4:39 PM in response to Grafiker

The same issue started with my iPhone recently! I used to be able to listen to YouTube videos via the Safari or Google browser apps using the technique mentioned above. Now I can't press play using the bottom menu from the home screen. What's going on Apple?!

I think this issue started after I updated my phone recently...

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Answer 5

Jun 30, 2017 4:07 AM in response to Grafiker

I agree. After digging around on this issue, realizing mostly phones with older operating systems still work, it is an apple change. This is not the user friendly concept Steve Jobs and crew envisioned.

I second the motion Apple.

STOP IT.

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Answer 6

Rudegar

Level 10

183,346 points

Apr 13, 2017 4:19 PM in response to mjedwards409

have you asked google they made the youtube app if it's the official youtube app you are using and not a third party youtube app or if you're using youtube from safari

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Answer 7

Apr 19, 2017 5:05 PM in response to Miss Smartie Partie

It has worked for years. Since the lastest update it stopped. I used it everyday on my phone. Download Firefox. It works. For now.

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Answer 8

GLW73069

Level 1

4 points

May 5, 2017 6:58 AM in response to Nemowuner

Me too!

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