This mobile browser just brought back free YouTube background playback

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Microsoft has found a workaround to restore YouTube background play for non‑Premium subscribers.
• The solution is available on the company’s experimental browser, Edge Canary.
• Microsoft has also added audio indicators to tab cards and an option to mute/unmute sites.

YouTube has been increasingly aggressive in shutting down workarounds that let users access Premium features without paying. Earlier this year, third‑party browsers lost the ability to play YouTube videos in the background after a YouTube update—something a Google spokesperson confirmed to Android Authority【https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-background-play-broken-3636179/】.

Now, at least one of those browsers appears to have a solution.

Since the block was introduced, Microsoft has been working on a workaround. Leaker Leopeva64 spotted the change on the experimental Edge Canary mobile browser, showing a YouTube video continuing to play after switching tabs or returning to the home screen【https://x.com/Leopeva64/status/2044787461402841311】.

“Google recently removed the option to play YouTube videos in the background on third‑party mobile browsers (they say this is a feature intended only for Premium users). Well, Microsoft has found a workaround and this option is working again in Edge Canary.”
— Leopeva64 (tweet)

In addition to restoring background playback, Microsoft has added audio indicators to the tab cards, allowing users to see which tab is playing audio from the tab switcher. There is also an option to mute or unmute a website directly from the tab context menu.

Why do you refuse to pay for YouTube Premium?

320 votes

YouTube background play first appeared in the Edge Canary browser late last year after a flag was enabled in the mobile app【https://www.androidauthority.com/microsoft-edge-youtube-background-playback-android-3593111/】. The feature’s return comes shortly after YouTube raised Premium prices across the board【https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-premium-us-price-increase-3656505/】.