YouTube Blocks Background Playback on Mobile Browsers for Free Users

February 2026 — YouTube has tightened controls on its mobile web experience by disabling background playback for users who are not subscribed to YouTube Premium. The change impacts people who previously used mobile browsers to continue playing audio while switching apps or locking their phone screens.

What Has Changed

Under the new enforcement, videos played through mobile browsers now stop automatically when the app is minimised or the screen is turned off. Lock-screen playback controls are also removed, making it impossible to resume audio without reopening the browser and keeping it active on screen.

This update closes a long-standing workaround that allowed free users to listen to content in the background without subscribing to YouTube Premium.

Why YouTube Is Making This Move

YouTube has stated that background playback is a premium feature and that the update is meant to ensure consistent feature access across all platforms. By enforcing this restriction on mobile browsers, the company is aligning the web experience with its official mobile apps.

The move is also seen as part of YouTube’s broader strategy to increase paid subscriptions as competition intensifies across video and audio streaming platforms.

Impact on Users

The change affects users who rely on YouTube for music, podcasts, interviews, and long-form audio content while multitasking. Without background playback, users must keep their screens on, which can increase battery consumption and reduce usability.

Those who want uninterrupted background audio will now need to upgrade to YouTube Premium, which includes additional features such as ad-free viewing and offline downloads.

Industry Perspective

This update highlights a growing trend among digital platforms to more strictly enforce paid feature boundaries. As content platforms look to balance user growth with revenue generation, similar restrictions may become more common across free tiers.

What’s Next

While YouTube has not announced further changes, users can expect continued refinement of premium-only features. The company is likely to focus on expanding subscription benefits as part of its long-term monetisation strategy.