Minimize YouTube on iPhone
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, our smartphones have evolved into indispensable companions that cater to our diverse needs, from work to entertainment. Among the vast array of mobile applications, YouTube is a go-to platform for video content, offering a diverse collection of videos, from educational tutorials to captivating vlogs. However, there are instances when you wish to minimize YouTube on your iPhone while keeping the content running in the background, allowing you to multitask seamlessly. Whether it’s the need to juggle multiple tasks, continue listening to music, preserve battery life, or maintain privacy, this comprehensive guide explores various methods for achieving this feat.
From iOS’s Picture-in-Picture mode and YouTube Premium’s background play to Safari browser tricks and third-party apps, we delve into many options to cater to your preferences. To enhance your experience, we offer valuable tips and considerations. So, embrace the art of multitasking and elevate your iPhone’s capabilities with these effortless ways to minimize YouTube, redefining how you interact with this beloved platform.
Why Minimize YouTube on Your iPhone?
Before we dive into the methods, let’s consider why you might want to minimize YouTube in the first place. Here are some common scenarios:
Multitasking: You’re in the middle of watching an informative tutorial or a captivating documentary, but you also need to respond to messages or emails. Minimizing YouTube allows you to do both simultaneously.
Background Listening: You may enjoy music on YouTube and wish to continue listening while using other apps or when your device is locked.
Conserving Battery Life: Minimizing the YouTube app can help save your iPhone’s battery, especially when the screen is off or when you’re using less power-intensive apps alongside it.
Privacy: You want to listen to something without displaying the video on your screen, maintaining a level of privacy or discretion.
Now that we understand the motivations let’s explore the different methods to minimize YouTube on your iPhone. Also, read about How to Promote YouTube Videos: A Comprehensive Guide
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode
iOS devices, including iPhones, offer a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode that allows you to minimize YouTube and continue watching a video while using other apps. Here’s how to use it:
Open YouTube: Launch the YouTube app on your iPhone and start playing the video you want to watch.
Swipe Up or Press Home Button: While the video is playing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen or press the Home button (for devices with a Home button) to go to your home screen.
Minimize YouTube: The video will automatically transition into PiP mode, appearing as a floating window on your screen. You can drag it to any corner of your screen, allowing you to access other apps while the video continues playing.
Adjust and Control: You can resize the PiP window by pinching or expanding it with two fingers. Additionally, you can tap on the window to reveal playback controls, such as play/pause, skip, and close.
PiP mode is incredibly versatile and works seamlessly with other applications, making it an ideal choice for multitasking with YouTube on your iPhone.
Background Play with YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is a subscription service that offers various benefits, including background play on mobile devices. Here’s how to use it:
Subscribe to YouTube Premium: If you’re not already a YouTube Premium subscriber, you’ll need to sign up for the service. It typically offers a free trial period, allowing you to test its features.
Open YouTube: Launch the YouTube app on your iPhone.
Start a Video: Choose the video you want to watch and start playing it.
Minimize YouTube: Exit the YouTube app while the video is playing. The audio will continue playing in the background, even if you’re using other apps or your device is locked.
Background play is a convenient feature for uninterrupted audio playback, and it’s ad-free with YouTube Premium. Discover more on our website bytetechsolution.com
Safari Browser
If you prefer not to use the YouTube app or don’t have a YouTube Premium subscription, you can use the Safari web browser on your iPhone to achieve background playback. Here’s how:
Open Safari: Launch the Safari browser on your iPhone.
Go to YouTube: In the Safari browser, navigate to the YouTube website (www.youtube.com).
Play a Video: Find and play the video you want to watch.
Switch to Other Apps: Press the Home button or use the swipe-up gesture to leave Safari and go to your home screen or other apps. The video will continue to play in the background.
Control Playback: You can control playback (play, pause, adjust volume) from the Control Center, which you can access by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (on devices with Face ID) or swiping up from the bottom of the screen (on devices with a Home button).
Using Safari to watch YouTube videos allows you to have background playback without requiring a YouTube Premium subscription. However, it may need to be more intuitive than the official app.
YouTube Music App
If you primarily use YouTube for music, you may want to consider the YouTube Music app, which is designed specifically for audio playback. Here’s how to use it:
Download YouTube Music: If you haven’t already, download the YouTube Music app from the App Store.
Open YouTube Music: Launch the YouTube Music app on your iPhone.
Find Your Music: Search for your desired music or browse playlists, albums, or artists.
Play Music: Start playing the music you want to listen to.
Minimize YouTube Music: Exit the app or press the Home button while the music is playing. The audio will continue to play in the background.
The YouTube Music app is tailored for music enthusiasts and offers background playback as its primary feature, making it an excellent choice for uninterrupted music listening.
Use a Third-Party App
In addition to the methods mentioned above, several third-party apps are designed to enhance the iPhone’s YouTube experience. These apps often offer background playback as a core feature. Some popular options include “Music Tube” and “YouTube.” However, please note that the availability of these apps may change over time, so be sure to check the App Store for current options.
Enable Desktop Site in Safari
You can enable the desktop site if you prefer to use YouTube in Safari but want a more desktop-like experience. Here’s how:
Open Safari: Launch the Safari browser on your iPhone.
Go to YouTube: Navigate to the YouTube website (www.youtube.com).
Request Desktop Site: Tap the “Aa” icon to the left of the address bar and select “Request Desktop Website.”
Play a Video: Find and play the video you want to watch.
Switch to Other Apps: Press the Home button or use the swipe-up gesture to leave Safari and go to your home screen or other apps. The video will continue to play in the background.
Control Playback: Use the Control Center to control playback (play, pause, adjust volume).
Enabling the desktop site in Safari provides a more familiar YouTube experience and allows background playback without additional apps or subscriptions.
YouTube Shortcuts
You can create shortcuts on your iPhone’s home screen for quick access to background playback. Here’s how:
Open Safari: Launch Safari on your iPhone.
Go to YouTube: Visit the YouTube website (www.youtube.com).
Create Shortcut: Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow) at the bottom center of the screen. Scroll down and select “Add to Home Screen.”
Name Shortcut: Give your shortcut a name, like “YouTube Background Play,” and tap “Add” in the top right corner.
Access Shortcut: Locate the shortcut icon on your home screen and tap it to open YouTube in Safari. Use this shortcut whenever you want to watch YouTube videos with background playback.
Creating a shortcut provides a convenient way to access background playback without navigating through the Safari browser each time.
YouTube Premium Family Sharing
You can use background playback and other premium features for multiple family members if you have a YouTube Premium Family Sharing plan. Here’s how:
Subscribe to YouTube Premium Family: Ensure you have a YouTube Premium Family subscription, which allows you to share premium features with up to five family members.
Open YouTube: Launch the YouTube app on your iPhone.
Play a Video: Choose the video you want to watch and start playing it.
Minimize YouTube: Exit the YouTube app while the video is playing. The audio will continue to play in the background, and you can use other apps simultaneously.
Share with Family Members: Invite family members to join your YouTube Premium Family Sharing plan. They can enjoy background playback on their devices as well.
YouTube Premium Family Sharing extends background playback benefits to multiple users, making it cost-effective for families.
Tips for a Seamless Experience
While you explore these methods to minimize YouTube on your iPhone, here are some additional tips to enhance your experience:
Use Headphones or Bluetooth Devices: Connect headphones or Bluetooth speakers to enjoy audio from background playback for better sound quality.
Check Data Usage: Be mindful of your data usage, especially if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, as background playback can consume data.
Update Apps: Keep your YouTube app, Safari browser, and other relevant apps up to date to ensure smooth performance and access to the latest features.
Consider YouTube Premium: If you frequently use YouTube for background playback, consider subscribing to YouTube Premium for an ad-free and seamless experience.
Explore YouTube Music: If you primarily use YouTube for music, the YouTube Music app may offer a more tailored experience with background playback included.
Manage Permissions: Review and manage app permissions to ensure background playback functions as expected. Go to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Microphone” and ensure that the YouTube app has permission to use the microphone.
Conclusion
Minimizing YouTube on your iPhone opens up a world of possibilities for multitasking, background listening, and efficient device use. Whether you choose to use built-in features like Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode or subscribe to YouTube Premium for background play, these methods empower you to make the most of your iPhone while enjoying your favorite YouTube content. Following our guide and tips, you can seamlessly integrate background playback into your daily routine and enhance your overall YouTube experience. So, go ahead, explore the methods, and elevate your iPhone multitasking with YouTube today!
FAQs
Q1: What is the benefit of minimizing YouTube on my iPhone?
Minimizing YouTube on your iPhone allows you to continue watching a video while using other apps or performing tasks like checking emails or browsing the web without closing the YouTube app. It enhances multitasking and provides a more flexible user experience.
Q2: Can I minimize YouTube on my iPhone without a subscription?
Yes, you can achieve background playback without a subscription by using methods like Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, Safari browser, or third-party apps. YouTube Premium offers additional benefits like ad-free background play, but it’s not the only option.
Q3: How do I enable Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode on my iPhone?
To use PiP mode, open a video in the YouTube app, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen or press the Home button to return to your home screen. The video will automatically transition to a floating window that you can move and resize.
Q4: Can I listen to YouTube in the background with YouTube Premium?
Yes, YouTube Premium offers background play as one of its features. You can start a video, exit the app, and continue listening to the audio in the background. This feature also works when your device is locked.
Q5: Are there any data usage considerations when using background play on YouTube?
Yes, streaming video content, even in the background, can consume data. It’s advisable to use Wi-Fi for background playback when available, or monitor your data usage if you’re using cellular data.
