YouTube Blocks Background Playback on Third-Party Browsers

Google has confirmed a recent update to YouTube that blocks non-Premium subscribers from playing videos in the background on third-party mobile browsers, ending a long-standing workaround for accessing the feature without a paid subscription.

The change affects Android and iOS users who previously relied on browsers such as Brave, Vivaldi, Microsoft Edge, and Samsung Internet to continue audio playback while minimizing the app or turning off their device screen. For years, these browsers allowed videos to run in the background, bypassing the screen-on requirement enforced in YouTube's official app and Google Chrome. Now, videos pause almost immediately upon switching apps or locking the screen, often accompanied by a brief "MediaOngoingActivity" notification before media controls vanish entirely.

A Google spokesperson told Android Authority that the update ensures background playback remains an exclusive benefit for YouTube Premium members, promoting a consistent experience across devices. The company has been rolling out the restriction gradually, which explains some user reports of intermittent functionality. For instance, while most attempts on Brave and Samsung Internet...