YouTube Music finally matches what Spotify and Apple Music users have had for years — but background play requires a Premium subscription in the official app. Here are your options, including free workarounds.
Short Answer: YouTube Music background play (screen off, switch apps) requires YouTube Music Premium (~₹99/month in India). Free workaround: open YouTube Music in a Chrome or Firefox browser tab on Android to get background audio without paying. On iPhone, Safari also allows background play via the browser.
Option 1: YouTube Music Premium (Official)
YouTube Music Premium is ₹99/month for individual users in India. It unlocks:
- Background play (audio continues when screen is off or when switching apps)
- Offline downloads
- No ads
- YouTube Premium bundle available (~₹189/month) which adds ad-free YouTube videos
Sign up at music.youtube.com or through the app.
Option 2: Browser Workaround (Free, Android)
The most reliable free method for background play:
- Open Chrome or Firefox on Android
- Go to music.youtube.com
- Start playing a song
- Tap the three-dot menu → Desktop site (or request desktop site)
- Press the home button or switch apps
- The audio continues playing in the background
- Control playback from the notification bar
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Android Chrome browser with music.youtube.com open and notification showing playback controls
Firefox on Android works particularly well — it handles YouTube Music background play without needing to switch to desktop mode.
Option 3: Browser Workaround (Free, iPhone)
- Open Safari on iPhone
- Go to music.youtube.com
- Start playing a song
- Press the home button (or swipe up)
- The audio continues — control it from the lock screen or Control Center
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: iPhone lock screen showing YouTube Music playback controls with album art
Option 4: YouTube Music Features Worth Knowing
Even on the free tier, YouTube Music has advantages over competitors:
- The largest music catalog (includes user-uploaded videos converted to audio)
- Excellent “Your Mixtape” personalized playlist that updates daily
- Lyrics sync on most tracks
- Music videos alongside audio tracks
YouTube Music vs. Spotify — Which to Choose?
Both are ₹99/month. YouTube Music wins on catalog size (especially for Indian music, regional languages, and live recordings). Spotify wins on social features, podcast integration, and cross-platform playlist management. If you’re on Android and already use Google services, YouTube Music Premium is the natural choice.
Quick decision:
Budget-conscious → browser workaround | Premium subscriber → official app background play | Podcast listener → Spotify | Indian music depth → YouTube Music
FAQ
Does YouTube Music have a student discount?
Yes. YouTube offers a student plan at ₹59/month for eligible students via UNiDAYS verification.
Can I download songs for offline listening on YouTube Music?
Yes, but only with YouTube Music Premium. Downloaded songs are available in the Library → Downloads section of the app.
Is the browser workaround reliable for background play?
Yes for audio. The main limitation is that the browser needs to stay “active” (don’t clear it from recent apps). On Firefox for Android, it’s the most stable free background play solution.
Quick checklist:
- ✅ Try the browser workaround before paying — it works well for background play
- ✅ YouTube Music Premium at ₹99/month is worth it if you listen daily
- ✅ Student plan is ₹59/month with UNiDAYS verification
- ✅ Firefox on Android is the most reliable for free background music play
Open YouTube Music ↗ ↗Best Music Apps for Android
Conclusion
For serious listeners, YouTube Music Premium at ₹99/month is excellent value — especially with the massive catalog and solid Indian music library. For occasional background listening, the browser trick in Firefox or Safari gets you there for free. Check our guide on the best music apps for Android for full comparisons.