Edgar Cervantes / 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.
In its attempt to get more users to sign up for a subscription, YouTube has been increasingly aggressive in shutting down workarounds to access Premium features. For example, third-party browsers lost their ability to play YouTube videos in the background earlier this year. This was not a coincidence, as a Google spokesperson confirmed to Android Authority that YouTube had been updated to prevent non-Premium users from accessing the feature. But it looks like at least one of those third-party browsers has now found a solution.
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Ever since the block was put in place, it seems Microsoft has been hard at work trying to find a workaround. Spotted by leaker Leopeva64, the company appears to have restored YouTube background play on its experimental Edge Canary mobile browser. In their social post, the leaker shows a YouTube video continuing to play despite switching to other tabs or navigating back to the home screen.
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:https://t.co/E0HPhAdtsB pic.twitter.com/HSFhuHf3oR
Something else that should be pointed out is that Microsoft has added audio indicators to the tab card, so you can tell which tab the audio is playing from. This is viewable from the tab switcher. It also appears that there is an option to mute or unmute a website from the tab context menu.
Why do you refuse to pay for YouTube Premium?
236 votes
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More on this mobile browser just brought back
Stay tuned for updates on this mobile browser just brought back as the story develops. Related: Microsoft Adds 8GB Configs to Drop Starting Price of Surface Pro and Surface Laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Microsoft's experimental Edge Canary mobile browser. Leaker Leopeva64 spotted that YouTube videos keep playing despite switching to other tabs or navigating back to the home screen, restoring the workaround Google had blocked for non-Premium users.
In its push to get more users to subscribe, YouTube has been increasingly aggressive in shutting down workarounds for Premium features. A Google spokesperson confirmed to Android Authority that YouTube had been updated to prevent non-Premium users from accessing background play, which is intended only for Premium users.
Microsoft added audio indicators to the tab card so you can tell which tab the audio is playing from, visible from the tab switcher. There is also an option to mute or unmute a website from the tab context menu.
In a poll of 236 votes, 40 percent subscribe, 27 percent say it is too expensive, 22 percent refuse to reward the way Google has worsened the free version, 5 percent do not use YouTube enough, and 3 percent say none of the plans suit their needs.
