How to Listen to YouTube Music with Screen Off (Android & iPhone)

YouTube is one of the most popular free platforms for listening to music online. A quick search brings up your favourite songs instantly. However, many users get frustrated when the music stops as soon as the screen turns off. The good news is that with a few simple tricks, you can continue playing YouTube music even with the screen locked — on both Android and iPhone — without needing YouTube Premium.

Normally, YouTube Premium (which costs around $12/month) allows background playback. But here are free workarounds that work perfectly.

For Android: Listen with Screen Off

Method 1: Using Brave Browser (Recommended & Easiest)

1. Download and install the Brave Browser from Google Play Store (it’s free).
2. Open Brave and go to youtube.com.
3. Play the video/song you want to listen to.
4. Go to Settings → Multimedia → Enable Background Playback.
5. Lock your screen — the audio will continue playing.
6. You can control playback (play/pause, skip) directly from the notification bar.

Method 2: Using Chrome or Firefox

1. Open YouTube in Chrome or Firefox browser.
2. Copy the video link of the song.
3. Play the video.
4. Lock the screen — playback may pause initially.
5. Unlock the screen briefly and resume from the media player/notification controls. (This works as a free alternative to YouTube Premium on most Android devices.)

For iPhone: Listen with Screen Off

Using Safari Browser

1. Open Safari and go to youtube.com.
2. Find and play the video/song you want.
3. Tap the “AA” icon in the address bar → Request Desktop Website (this is important).
4. Once the video starts playing, lock the screen or exit the browser.
5. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Center.
6. Tap the Play button in the media controls — the music will continue even with the screen off.

These methods let you enjoy YouTube music for free with the screen locked on both Android and iPhone. You can also use apps like YouTube Music (free version) or other streaming services for a similar experience.

Enjoy your music without draining your battery by keeping the screen on!