Play YouTube Screen Off: Samsung Internet Trick (No Premium)

by Henrik Larsen 61 views

Hey guys! Ever wished you could listen to your favorite YouTube tunes or podcasts on your Samsung phone without keeping the screen on? It's a battery saver and super convenient, especially when you're multitasking or just want to chill with some audio. The good news is, you can do it on your Samsung Internet browser, and you don't even need YouTube Premium! Let's dive into the easy steps to make this happen.

Why Play YouTube with the Screen Off?

Before we jump into the how-to, let's quickly chat about why this is such a cool feature. Think about it: how often do you listen to music or podcasts on YouTube? Probably quite a bit, right? But keeping your screen on the whole time drains your battery fast. Playing YouTube with the screen off is a game-changer for several reasons:

  • Battery Life: This is the big one. Turning off the screen significantly reduces battery consumption. You can enjoy hours of audio content without worrying about your phone dying.
  • Multitasking: Want to listen to a podcast while you're checking emails, browsing the web, or even playing a game? No problem! With the screen off, YouTube audio plays in the background.
  • Convenience: It's just plain convenient. Imagine you're going for a walk, working out, or commuting. You can slip your phone into your pocket and still enjoy your favorite YouTube content without the distraction of the screen.
  • Reduced Screen Time: In today's world, we're all trying to cut down on screen time. Listening to YouTube with the screen off is a fantastic way to enjoy content without staring at a screen.

So, now that we're all on the same page about why this is awesome, let's get to the good stuff: how to actually do it! We'll be focusing on using the Samsung Internet browser, which has a built-in feature that makes this incredibly simple.

Step-by-Step Guide: Playing YouTube with Screen Off on Samsung Internet

Okay, let's break down the process into easy-to-follow steps. Don't worry, it's super simple, and you'll be enjoying ad-free background playback in no time!

Step 1: Open Samsung Internet and Access YouTube

First things first, you need to launch the Samsung Internet browser on your phone. This is usually the blue globe icon with a white swirl. If you can't find it, just swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open your app drawer and search for "Internet." Once you've got the browser open, go to the YouTube website (m.youtube.com). It's important to use the mobile website for this trick to work, not the YouTube app. Make sure you type the address correctly to avoid any issues.

Why the mobile site? The mobile website of YouTube is designed to be more resource-efficient and often allows for background playback in ways that the full desktop site or the YouTube app doesn't. This is the key to our screen-off magic! Once you're on the mobile YouTube site, you can browse for the video or playlist you want to listen to. Go ahead and search for your favorite music, a podcast episode, or anything else that tickles your fancy. Remember, the goal is to get the audio playing, so choose something you'll enjoy listening to without needing to watch the video.

Step 2: Start Playing Your YouTube Video

Now that you've found your video, go ahead and tap the play button. The video should start playing within the Samsung Internet browser. Make sure the audio is working correctly and that you can hear the video clearly. This is a crucial step to ensure that the background playback will work as expected. If you have any issues with the audio at this stage, it's best to troubleshoot them before moving on to the next steps. Double-check your phone's volume settings, and make sure the video isn't muted within the YouTube player itself. Once you're confident that the video is playing correctly, you're ready to move on to the next, super-important step.

Step 3: Enable Background Playback (If Needed)

This is where the magic happens! Some versions of Samsung Internet have background playback enabled by default, but if it's not working for you right away, you might need to tweak a setting. Here's how: Look for the three horizontal lines (the menu button) usually located at the bottom-right corner of the Samsung Internet browser. Tap on it, and a menu should pop up. Scroll through the menu options until you find "Settings" and tap on that. This will take you to the browser's settings menu, where you can customize various aspects of its behavior. Inside the Settings menu, look for an option related to "Background play" or "Play video sound in background." The exact wording might vary depending on your version of Samsung Internet, but it should be something along those lines. If you find it, make sure the toggle switch next to it is turned on (usually blue or green). This setting tells the browser to continue playing audio even when you switch to another app or turn off your screen. If you don't see this option, don't panic! Your version of Samsung Internet might have background playback enabled by default, or it might be located in a slightly different place. Try exploring the other settings menus, such as "Advanced" or "Site settings," to see if you can find it there. Once you've enabled background playback, you're ready to test it out.

Step 4: Minimize the App or Turn Off Your Screen

Now for the moment of truth! With your YouTube video playing and background playback enabled (if necessary), try minimizing the Samsung Internet app. You can do this by swiping up from the bottom of your screen (if you're using gesture navigation) or by pressing the home button. The video should stop playing temporarily. But here's the key: look at your notification shade (the area at the top of your screen that you swipe down to access). You should see a notification from Samsung Internet with playback controls for your YouTube video! This means the audio is still running in the background.

If you see the notification, congrats! You've successfully enabled background playback. You can now control the audio (pause, play, skip) from the notification shade without having to reopen the browser. For the ultimate test, go ahead and turn off your screen by pressing the power button. The audio should continue playing even with the screen off. If it does, you've cracked the code! You can now enjoy your favorite YouTube audio content while saving battery life and multitasking like a pro. If, for some reason, the audio stops when you minimize the app or turn off the screen, double-check that you've enabled background playback in the Samsung Internet settings. It's also worth making sure that your phone's battery optimization settings aren't interfering with the browser's ability to play audio in the background. Some aggressive battery-saving modes might prevent apps from running in the background to conserve power. If you're still having trouble, try restarting your phone or clearing the cache for the Samsung Internet app. These simple steps can often resolve minor glitches and get things working smoothly.

Step 5: Enjoy Ad-Free Background Playback!

That's it! You've successfully set up YouTube to play with the screen off on your Samsung Internet browser. Now you can enjoy all your favorite music, podcasts, and audio content without draining your battery or being glued to your screen. This is a fantastic way to make the most of YouTube while multitasking, commuting, or just relaxing without the visual distraction. Remember, this trick works because of the Samsung Internet browser's built-in background playback feature. It's a super handy tool that many Samsung users might not even know about. So, spread the word! Share this guide with your friends and family so they can enjoy the same benefits. And who knows, maybe you'll even discover some new favorite audio content now that it's so easy to listen on the go.

Troubleshooting Tips

Okay, so sometimes things don't go exactly as planned. If you're having trouble getting YouTube to play with the screen off, don't worry! Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

  • Background Playback Not Working: The most common culprit is that background playback isn't enabled in your Samsung Internet settings. Go back to Step 3 and double-check that the "Play video sound in background" (or similar) setting is turned on.
  • Audio Stops When Screen Turns Off: If the audio cuts out when you turn off your screen, it could be due to your phone's battery optimization settings. Some battery-saving modes can prevent apps from running in the background. Try going to your phone's settings, then "Battery," and look for options related to battery optimization or app power management. You might need to exclude Samsung Internet from the battery optimization list to allow it to play audio in the background.
  • No Playback Controls in Notification Shade: If you're not seeing the playback controls in your notification shade, try restarting your phone. This can often resolve minor glitches. You can also try clearing the cache for the Samsung Internet app. To do this, go to your phone's settings, then "Apps," find Samsung Internet, and tap on "Storage." From there, you should see an option to clear the cache.
  • Using the YouTube App Instead of the Mobile Site: Remember, this trick only works with the mobile website version of YouTube (m.youtube.com) in the Samsung Internet browser. If you're using the YouTube app, it won't work unless you have YouTube Premium.
  • Outdated Samsung Internet Version: If you're using an older version of Samsung Internet, it might not have the background playback feature. Try updating your browser to the latest version through the Galaxy Store or the Google Play Store.

If you've tried all these troubleshooting tips and you're still having problems, it might be worth searching online for solutions specific to your phone model and Android version. There might be some unique settings or configurations that are causing the issue.

Alternative Methods (If Samsung Internet Isn't Working)

While Samsung Internet is the easiest way to play YouTube with the screen off on Samsung devices without Premium, there are a couple of alternative methods you can try if you're having trouble. Keep in mind that these might not be as seamless or battery-efficient as the Samsung Internet method, but they're worth exploring if you're in a pinch:

  • Third-Party Browsers: Some third-party browsers, like Brave Browser, have built-in features that allow for background video playback. Brave Browser, in particular, is known for its ad-blocking capabilities and its ability to play YouTube videos in the background even with the screen off. Simply download Brave Browser from the Google Play Store, open YouTube in the browser, start playing your video, and then minimize the app or turn off your screen. The audio should continue playing.
  • YouTube Vanced (Unofficial): YouTube Vanced was a popular unofficial YouTube app that offered features like ad-blocking and background playback without a Premium subscription. However, it's important to note that YouTube Vanced is no longer being actively developed, and using unofficial apps can pose security risks. Download and use it at your own risk. Proceed with caution. Make sure you're downloading it from a reputable source and that you understand the potential risks involved before installing any unofficial apps on your device.

Conclusion

So there you have it! A simple, effective, and free way to play YouTube with the screen off on your Samsung phone using the Samsung Internet browser. This is a game-changer for battery life, multitasking, and overall convenience. No more sacrificing battery to listen to your favorite tunes or podcasts! By following these easy steps, you can enjoy ad-free background playback without needing a YouTube Premium subscription. We've covered everything from enabling background playback in the Samsung Internet settings to troubleshooting common issues and exploring alternative methods if needed.

Remember, the key is to use the mobile website version of YouTube (m.youtube.com) within the Samsung Internet browser and to ensure that the "Play video sound in background" setting is enabled. With a few simple tweaks, you can transform your YouTube listening experience and make the most of your Samsung device.

So go ahead, give it a try! Start enjoying your favorite YouTube content with the screen off, and let us know in the comments if you have any questions or tips to share. Happy listening, guys! I hope this guide helped you unlock a new level of YouTube enjoyment on your Samsung device. Remember to share this article with your friends and family so they can benefit from this awesome trick too. And stay tuned for more helpful tips and tricks on making the most of your tech!