Do you want to use YouTube the way you use Spotify or Apple Podcasts: screen off playback + background playback + no interruptions, so you can put your phone in your pocket and listen to YouTube podcasts or playlists for a long time while the screen is off while you’re commuting, going for a walk, doing chores, or exercising.
This passage teaches you how to listen to YouTube with your phone’s screen off.
Keep YouTube Playing with Screen Off in Brave
You can listen to YouTube with your phone’s screen off using the Brave browser, making it one of the easiest free methods available without needing a YouTube Premium subscription.
Detailed Setting Steps of Brave Browser
1. Install Brave Browser:
- Ensure Brave is installed from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Enable Background Audio:
- Open Brave, then tap the three-dot menu (located at the bottom-right or top-right).
- Go to Settings > Media or Playlist.
- Toggle on Background Audio Playback or Continue Media Playback.
3. Play Your YouTube Podcast/Playlist:
- In Brave, go to youtube.com and find your podcast or playlist.
- Start playing the video or playlist.
- Lock the screen or switch to another app; the audio should continue.
4. Prevent the Phone from Stopping Playback:
- iOS:
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and set it to a longer duration or “Never” (change back after use to save battery).
- Ensure Brave isn’t restricted: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Brave > Allow Background App Refresh.
- Android:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization, find Brave, and select Don’t Optimize.
- Disable Adaptive Battery if enabled: Go to Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery.
5. Use Brave Playlist for Seamless Playback:
- Add the podcast/playlist videos to Brave’s Playlist (tap “Add to Playlist” during playback).
- Playlist supports continuous playback, even offline if videos are cached, and works with the screen off.
Here are my screenshots. For example, I want to keep listening to Taylor Swift while my phone is screen off.
In this way, if you shut down your network, you can still listen to music. And no need to worry about the screen.
Since the video has been downloaded to your phone, if you later decide that you no longer want to listen to the audio and don’t want to take up memory space on your phone, delete it from Brave’s playlist.
Why Brave works
Usually, our phones will stop playback when the screen locks to save battery or because apps lack background permissions. Brave’s background audio feature bypasses this limitation by keeping the media stream active, unlike the default YouTube app, which requires a YouTube Premium subscription for background play.
- Brave supports background playback on mobile by default.
- It’s free, private, and blocks ads, making it a great alternative to YouTube.
In my test, this method is free, reliable, and works for long podcasts or playlists as of April 2025.
Bonus Tips For Using Brave To Listen To YouTube
First of all, if you’re in mainland China, YouTube requires a VPN due to restrictions. Ensure a stable VPN to avoid interruptions. And ensure your phone’s software is up to date to avoid app conflicts.
Additional Notes:
- You can lock your phone and keep listening — perfect for music, podcasts, or long-form videos.
- Want ad-free background playback? Brave’s built-in ad blocker may help reduce interruptions (though some YouTube ads might still sneak in).
- Works even better if you disable battery optimization for Brave in your phone’s settings.
- Battery Saving: Playing audio with the screen off uses less battery, but long sessions may still drain it. Consider plugging in your phone for extended listening.
- Ad-Free: Brave blocks YouTube ads by default, so your podcast won’t be interrupted by commercials.
- Troubleshooting:
- If playback stops, double-check the background audio setting in Brave.
- Update Brave’s ad-block component: Go to
brave://components,update Brave Ad Block Updater, and refresh YouTube.
Other Ways To Listen to YouTube With Screen Off
Besides using the Brave browser, here are other effective ways to listen to YouTube videos (like podcasts or playlists) with the screen off on your phone, tailored for both iOS and Android users.
1. Use YouTube Premium (Official Solution)
- How: Subscribe to YouTube Premium (pricing varies by region; check via the YouTube app or website).
- Steps:
- Open the YouTube app, sign in, and play your video or playlist.
- Lock the screen; audio continues in the background.
- Pros:
- Official support, no workarounds needed.
- Ad-free, offline downloads, and access to YouTube Music.
- Cons:
- Paid service (not free).
- In China, a VPN is required to access YouTube, and Premium may not be available for domestic accounts; consider using a non-China Google account instead.
- Availability: Global, but a VPN is needed in China.
2. Use Third-Party Apps
- Android: NewPipe (Free, Open-Source)
- How:
- Download NewPipe from its official website (newpipe.net) or F-Droid (not on Google Play).
- Open NewPipe, search for your YouTube video/playlist, and play.
- Tap the headphones icon for audio-only mode or lock the screen; playback continues.
- Pros:
- Free, no ads, supports playlists and background play.
- Works in China with a VPN for YouTube access.
- Cons:
- Android-only (no iOS version).
- Requires sideloading (enable “Unknown Sources” in Android settings).
- How:
- iOS/Android: VLC Media Player (Free)
- How:
- Install VLC from the App Store or Google Play.
- Copy the YouTube video URL (use Brave or another browser if YouTube is blocked).
- In VLC, go to Network Stream, paste the URL, and play.
- Lock the screen; audio continues.
- Pros:
- Free, widely available, and works on both iOS and Android.
- Reliable for single videos.
- Cons:
- Playlists may require manual URL input for each video.
- In China, you need a VPN to fetch YouTube streams.
- How:
3. Use a Modified Browser (Alternative to Brave)
- Firefox with Add-Ons (Android, Limited iOS Support)
- How:
- Install Firefox from Google Play or the App Store.
- On Android, add the Video Background Play Fix add-on (available via Firefox Add-ons).
- Open YouTube in Firefox, play your video, and lock the screen; audio continues.
- Pros:
- Free, customizable with add-ons.
- Works with a VPN in China.
- Cons:
- iOS Firefox has limited add-on support, so this works better on Android.
- Setup is slightly more complex than Brave.
- How:
- Availability: Best for Android; iOS may require additional tweaks.
4. Convert YouTube to Audio (Offline Solution)
- Use a YouTube to MP3 Converter (e.g., YTMP3, SnapDownloader)
- How:
- On a computer or phone browser, visit a trusted converter site (e.g., ytmp3.cc) or download an app like SnapDownloader.
- Paste the YouTube video/playlist URL, convert to MP3, and download.
- Transfer the MP3 to your phone (via cloud storage or USB) and play in any music app (e.g., Apple Music, Google Play Music).
- Pros:
- Offline playback is supported, with no internet or VPN required after download.
- Works on any device, screen-off compatible.
- Cons:
- Time-consuming for playlists.
- Legal concerns: Ensure you have the right to download content (check YouTube’s terms).
- In China, converter sites may require a VPN to access YouTube.
- How:
5. Use a Podcast App for YouTube Podcasts
- Apps: Pocket Casts, AntennaPod (Android), or Overcast (iOS)
- How:
- Some YouTube podcasts are available as audio-only on podcast platforms.
- Search for the podcast in a podcast app (e.g., Pocket Casts).
- Download episodes and play with the screen off.
- Pros:
- Free (most apps), optimized for audio.
- No VPN needed if the podcast is hosted outside YouTube.
- Cons:
- Not all YouTube content is available as podcasts.
- Requires searching for alternative sources.
- How:
Notes and Conclusion
For the simplest free solution after Brave, try NewPipe (Android) or VLC (iOS/Android). If you’re okay with a paid option, YouTube Premium is the most seamless but requires a VPN in China. Finally, avoid unreliable converter sites to protect your device from malware.
If you’re using iPhone, Safari and Firefox usually work only intermittently with this trick — Brave is more consistent. If you listen to YouTube a lot, YouTube Premium might be worth the investment.
YouTube is blocked in mainland China, so a reliable VPN (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN) is essential for accessing YouTube in browsers or apps. All mentioned apps (VLC, Brave, Firefox) are available on China’s App Store and Google Play (if accessible). NewPipe requires sideloading on Android. Audio-only modes (like NewPipe or VLC) save battery compared to video streaming. Ensure apps aren’t restricted by battery optimization (check phone settings).
