Playing videos in the background is one of the most alluring features of YouTube Premium, but there were ways to access it without paying. Of course, Google has been trying to put an end to those workarounds, and now it may have succeeded.
YouTube is blocking a popular third-party browser background play workaround
Google has officially confirmed that it is blocking a popular workaround that allowed non-Premium users to use play YouTube videos in the background on mobile devices. In a statement sent to Android Authority, the company said that a recent update ensures that the feature can exclusively be used by YouTube Premium members as intended.
While some non-Premium users may have previously been able to access this through mobile web browsers in certain scenarios, we have updated the experience to ensure consistency across all our platforms.
Google spokesperson, January 2026
Users were previously able to avoid YouTube’s paywall by using a combination of a browser different from Chrome and ad blockers. However, in the last few days, users have been reporting that the workaround is not working anymore. Reports from users of various mobile browsers have popped up online, including Samsung Internet, Brave, Microsoft Edge, and Vivaldi.
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Another crackdown to boost Premium
Image Credit — PhoneArena
That’s far from the first time Google has tried to block users who try to access Premium features without subscribing. The company has been fighting against ad blockers for years, with variable success. Last year, users reported that Google throttled the speed of their videos, leading to interruptions.
Have you ever used any YouTube Premium feature?
YouTube has also been cracking down on other methods for users to gain Premium features, such as third-party clients. When commenting on those issues, Google has always said that blocking ads on the platform is against its terms, and it hurts creators.
That feature should be free
In the age of hours-long podcasts, I think Google should allow background play for at least some of its videos. Mix those with audio-focused ads and let people listen to non-music videos in the background. I believe that would earn Google more goodwill from YouTube users, and it could even make them sit through more ads.
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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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