How to Play YouTube Music in the Background on iPhone or iPad

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to keep listening to music uninterrupted on the YouTube Music app while using other apps or when your screen is off, using an iPhone or iPad. Background play is only available with a Premium membership.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-1.jpg\/aid10612094-v4-728px-Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The YT Music icon looks like a red circle with a white Play button in the middle. You can find it on your home screen.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-2.jpg\/aid10612094-v4-728px-Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Find and tap the song you want to hear. This will start playing it in the YT Music app.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-3.jpg\/aid10612094-v4-728px-Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the circle button at the bottom of your iPhone's front side. It will take you to your home screen, and your music will keep playing in the background.
    • If you're using an iPhone X, swipe up from the bottom of your screen to quit the app.
    • If you don't have a Premium membership, your music will stop as soon as you switch out of the YT Music app.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-4.jpg\/aid10612094-v4-728px-Play-YouTube-Music-in-the-Background-on-iPhone-or-iPad-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will turn off your screen. Your music will keep playing in the background.
    • Like background play, this feature also requires a Premium membership. If you don't have a YouTube Music Premium subscription, your music will stop when you turn off your screen.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • You can easily purchase a YouTube Music Premium membership using your iPhone or iPad, or a desktop computer.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to Keep YouTube Playing in the Background on an iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Login to the YouTube TV App on iPhone or iPad
      2 Easy Ways to Copy a YouTube Video's Address on an iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Use the YouTube TV App on iPhone or iPad
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open the YT Music app.
      2. Start playing a song.
      3. Press the Home button to quit the app.
      4. Press the lock button to turn off your screen.

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 16,260 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement