Youtube: Play videos on smartphone in the background
Go to desktop view
A mobile browser is an alternative to the YouTube app for Android. However, you shouldn’t use Chrome as it shows the same behavior as the Youtube app. A better choice is Firefox. As usual, the Mozilla browser can be installed easily and quickly via the Google Play Store.
- Firefox app for Android
Firefox, which you can find as an Android app in the Play Store, is recommended as an alternative browser. - Firefox app for Android
After you have selected the appropriate search hit, tap on the Install button. - Firefox app for Android
Then start the browser. - Firefox app for Android
Now switch to the address bar, which by default is on the bottom line. - Firefox app for Android
Now call up the Youtube URL. - Firefox app for Android
Then tap the three-dot icon to the right of the address bar. - Firefox app for Android
In the menu that opens, tap the toggle next to “Desktop Website,” which is disabled by default. - Firefox app for Android
The switch then has a colored background – the option is then switched on. - Firefox app for Android
Then exit the mobile view. Now when you play a video and switch to another app, the playback no longer stops. - Firefox app for Android
You can also install a tool instead. To do this, tap again on the three dots at the bottom right in Firefox and select “Add-ons” from the menu. - Firefox app for Android
In the list that appears, scroll down to “Background video playback” and tap the plus icon. - Firefox app for Android
If you agree to the permissions required by the extension, tap the Add button. - Firefox app for Android
You will then receive a confirmation. In this dialog you can still activate the checkbox for private mode. Finally, confirm the setting with the OK button. - Firefox app for Android
You will then find the added tool in Firefox in the add-ons under “Activated”.
After that, open Firefox and navigate to the Youtube page. Now tap on the three-point icon at the bottom right and activate the entry Desktop website in the menu. The display then changes accordingly because you have left the mobile view. Now when you play a video and switch to another app, the playback no longer stops.
Use addon
Of course, the display as a desktop page takes a lot of getting used to, especially on smartphones. That’s why we recommend an add-on that allows you to keep the mobile view. The feature you want is provided by an extension called Background Video Playback.
To install the little tool, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner again in Firefox. Then select Add-ons from the menu. In the list that appears, scroll down to Background video playback and tap the plus sign next to it.
In the dialog box that Firefox now displays, you will find the add-on’s requested permissions. If you agree, tap the Add button. You will then receive a confirmation that the extension has been added. You can still activate the checkbox in this window so that the add-on can also be run in private mode. Finally, confirm the dialog with the OK button. You can then find the added tool in Firefox under the Add-ons in the Enabled section.
