Tired of your music stopping when you switch apps? We've all been there. Luckily, there are tons of apps that let you listen to YouTube in the background while you use other apps on your phone. We've compiled a list of the 11 best apps to listen to YouTube in the background, so you can listen to your favorite music, podcasts, or videos while you browse, chat, or game.
The three best apps on our list are YouTube Music, YouTube Music for Chromebook, and Music & Videos. These apps offer a variety of features, including high-quality audio, a vast library of music and videos, and an easy-to-use interface. Whether you're a casual listener or a music aficionado, these apps have something for everyone. Let's dive in and explore the best options!
| App | Logo | Available On | Reviews | Downloads | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. YouTube Music |  | Android, iOS | 4.5/5 | 4B+ | Personalized music recommendations, Vast music library |
| 2. YouTube Music for Chromebook |  | Android, iOS | 4.4/5 | 45M+ | Vast music catalog, Personalized mixes, Music discovery |
| 3. Music & Videos |  | Android, iOS | 4.3/5 | 20M+ | Free music streaming, Floating pop-up player, Playlist import |
| 4. Float Tube |  | Android, iOS | 4.5/5 | 5M+ | Floating window player, Free to use, Ad playtime limit |
| 5. Minimize play in background |  | Android, iOS | 4/5 | 4M+ | Floating video player, Create custom playlists, Save finished playlists |
| 6. Minimizer for YouTube |  | Android, iOS | 3.6/5 | 2M+ | Minimize YouTube, Ghost Mode, Music Mode |
| 7. Minimizer for YouTube Classic |  | Android | 3.7/5 | 1M+ | Classic interface, Ghost mode, Music only mode |
1. YouTube Music
Background audio playback, Personalized music discovery, Offline music listening
Cost:
YouTube Music Free (Free), YouTube Music Premium ($10.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Music & Audio |
| Downloads | Over 4 billion downloads |
| Features | YouTube Music lets you listen to millions of songs, create playlists, discover new music, and enjoy background playback. |
| Who It’s For | People who want to listen to music from YouTube in the background, enjoy personalized playlists, and discover new music. |
- Tags:
- Massive music library
- Personalized recommendations
- Offline Listening
YouTube Music is a fantastic app for listening to YouTube in the background, especially for those with YouTube Premium. While it offers a seamless and easy-to-use interface with great song recommendations and auto-playlist features, some users have voiced concerns about the recent podcast integration. While the app excels at discovering new music and providing a user-friendly experience, issues like random rewinding and the inability to view downloaded songs without internet access have sparked frustration. Despite these drawbacks, many still find YouTube Music to be a top choice for listening to music on the go.
Pros & Cons
- Simple to use for music
- Great for YouTube Premium users
- Excellent algorithm for new music
- User interface is intuitive
- Podcast integration is frustrating
- App loading issues are common
- Downloaded songs inaccessible offline
Why we chose it?
YouTube Music is a no-brainer for me! It has a huge library of songs, including official releases, live performances, and even remixes you won't find anywhere else. Plus, background playback is a breeze, so you can listen to your favorite tunes while you work, exercise, or even just relax. And the best part? It's completely free with ads, or you can upgrade to YouTube Music Premium for an ad-free experience!
✨ Read more: app for local channels
2. YouTube Music for Chromebook
Background playback for music, Vast music library access, Personalized music suggestions
Download:
Application information
| Category | Music & Audio |
| Downloads | Over 44 million downloads |
| Features | The app offers access to a massive music library with over 70 million official songs, personalized playlists, offline playback, and the ability to listen to YouTube videos in the background. |
| Who It’s For | Users who want to enjoy YouTube music on their Chromebooks with features like background playback and offline listening. |
- Tags:
- Massive music catalog
- Personalized music experience
- Music discovery
"YouTube Music for Chromebook" is a game-changer for those who crave a seamless background music experience on their Chromebooks. This dedicated app addresses the frustrating layout issues and "grouping" shuffle problems found in the original YouTube Music app, allowing for a truly random and enjoyable listening experience. Users have praised the app's ability to resolve issues with music skipping and Chromebook crashes, making it a reliable option for background tunes while browsing the web. While a dedicated cast button would be ideal, you can currently cast the tab to supported devices for a convenient way to enjoy your music on other speakers or devices.
Pros & Cons
- Solves layout issues on Chromebooks
- True shuffle of music, not grouping
- Improved background music playback
- Easier to weed out unwanted playlists
- Lack of dedicated cast button
- Bluetooth connectivity issues reported
- Suggested playlists not clearly displayed
Why we chose it?
You know how much I love listening to music while I'm on the go, and YouTube Music for Chromebook has become my go-to app. It's super easy to use, has an amazing library of songs, and the best part is that I can play music even when I'm using other apps. Seriously, it's a game-changer for anyone who wants to listen to YouTube music without interrupting their workflow!
✨ Read more: app for downloading youtube videos
3. Music & Videos
Background YouTube music playback, Floating pop-up music player
Download:
Application information
| Category | Music & Audio |
| Downloads | Nineteen million eight hundred eighty-two thousand nine hundred and eight |
| Features | This app allows users to listen to YouTube music in the background while using other apps, offering features like picture-in-picture playback, customizable playlists, and music discovery based on top charts and recommendations. |
| Who It’s For | People who want to listen to YouTube music in the background while using other apps. |
- Tags:
- Free music streaming
- Floating pop-up player
- Personalized playlists
Music & Videos is a fantastic app for listening to YouTube in the background, offering a seamless experience that's easy on both your storage and battery. Users rave about its smooth music video playback and the ability to browse playlists and channels effortlessly. While the app does have a few minor drawbacks, like the inability to pause music when the screen is off, its overall functionality and user-friendliness make it a strong contender in the background music app market. The developer's commitment to fewer ads and a focus on user experience is evident, and with a few more innovative features, this app could easily climb to the top of the ranks.
Pros & Cons
- Good on storage and battery
- Listen to music in background
- Smooth music video playback
- Many playlists and channels available
- Screen off stops music playback
- Some songs blocked by YouTube
- Needs more features and function
Why we chose it?
Music & Videos is my go-to app for listening to YouTube in the background because it's super easy to use and doesn't require a premium YouTube account. I love that I can create playlists and control the music with a floating pop-up player so I can multitask without missing a beat. This app is a total lifesaver for anyone who wants to enjoy their favorite YouTube tunes while doing other things on their phone!
✨ Read more: app for live streaming
4. Float Tube
Play YouTube in background, Floating window for video, Control playback with gestures
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Video Players & Editors |
| Downloads | Over 5 million downloads |
| Features | Float Tube allows you to play YouTube videos in a floating window, letting you listen to music or watch videos while using other apps. |
| Who It’s For | People who want to listen to YouTube music or watch videos in the background while using other apps. |
- Tags:
- Floating Video Player
- Free to Use, No Ads
- Customizable Window Size
Float Tube is a top-rated app for listening to YouTube in the background, offering a stable and intuitive experience that many users find superior to its competitors. While it boasts a clean, ad-free interface, users have expressed a desire for more customization, particularly the ability to control the size of the floating window and the visibility of certain buttons. Despite these minor requests, users consistently praise the app's functionality and ease of use, highlighting the smooth download process and overall positive experience.
Pros & Cons
- Stable and intuitive
- Best floating YouTube app
- Plays YouTube in background
- Allows listening to YouTube audio
- Contains ads, even with no ad claim
- Fixed screen size can be annoying
- Color buttons on pip screen are not optional
Why we chose it?
Float Tube is my go-to app for listening to YouTube in the background because it's incredibly simple to use and keeps the music playing even when I switch apps. The floating window feature is amazing! It lets me resize and move the player wherever I want on my screen, so I can still see what's playing while I browse or chat. Plus, it's completely free, which is a huge bonus!
✨ Read more: app for music
5. Minimize play in background
Play YouTube in background, Minimize video to floating window
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Music & Audio |
| Downloads | Over 3.7 million downloads |
| Features | This app allows you to minimize videos and play them in a floating popup window, enabling background playback while using other apps, search for content, create and manage playlists, and save finished or custom playlists. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone who wants to listen to YouTube in the background while using other apps on their phone. |
- Tags:
- Floating Video Player
- Multitasking
- Background playback
If you're looking for an app to listen to YouTube in the background without sacrificing your phone's functionality, "Minimize play in background" might be your new best friend. This app, while simple, delivers on its promise of letting you enjoy your favorite tunes without interrupting your workflow. While it doesn't boast all the bells and whistles of the YouTube app, "Minimize play in background" excels at providing a smooth, lag-free experience with a surprisingly functional minimized window. You can even dim the screen for battery savings and continue listening while you use other apps, making it perfect for multitasking music lovers.
Pros & Cons
- Plays YouTube in background
- Allows multitasking with other apps
- Has screen dimmer for battery saving
- Keeps track of history and playlists
- No 15-second skip forward/backward
- Doesn't remember playback position
- Window can be intrusive for multitasking
Why we chose it?
I love Minimize play in background! It's the perfect app for listening to YouTube in the background. You can minimize the video to a floating window, so you can use other apps while your music plays, and it's super easy to create playlists to keep your favorite tunes organized. And it's totally free!
✨ Read more: app for android podcasts
6. Minimizer for YouTube
Resizable and movable window, Ghost mode for full hiding, Listen to music only mode
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($1.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Music & Audio |
| Downloads | Over 2 Million Downloads |
| Features | Minimizer for YouTube lets you listen to your favorite music playlists, videos, or podcasts from YouTube in the background while using other apps on your device. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone who wants to listen to YouTube audio while using other apps. |
Minimizer for YouTube is a fantastic app for listening to YouTube in the background, letting you multitask while enjoying your favorite videos or music. While the app has some hiccups, particularly on older devices, its convenient features like Ghost Mode, where the YouTube window disappears entirely, make it a standout choice. Users rave about the app's customizable interface and dark theme, allowing for a personalized experience. Although occasional glitches and unresponsive elements might occur, Minimizer for YouTube's core functionality shines through, making it an excellent choice for anyone wanting to listen to YouTube while getting things done.
Pros & Cons
- Convenient for background listening
- Customizable viewing/hearing options
- Dark theme included
- Multitasking with videos/music
- Crashes in ghost mode
- Causes phone to overheat
- Laggy and unresponsive
Why we chose it?
Minimizer for YouTube is my go-to app for listening to YouTube in the background! It's super simple to use, with the ability to minimize videos to a small window or even make them disappear entirely with Ghost Mode. Plus, the Music Mode lets me just enjoy the audio without any distractions – perfect for my long walks or working out!
7. Minimizer for YouTube Classic
Listen to YouTube in background, Minimize video for multi-tasking
Cost:
Free (Free), Pro ($1.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Music & Audio |
| Downloads | Over 1.3 Million Downloads |
| Features | Minimizer for YouTube Classic lets you minimize YouTube videos and listen to audio in the background, offering features like Ghost Mode to hide the app and Music Mode for audio-only playback. |
| Who It’s For | Users who want to listen to YouTube videos while performing other tasks, such as gaming or browsing the web. |
- Tags:
- Classic interface
- Improved Ghost Mode
- Music only mode
Minimizer for YouTube Classic is a fantastic app for listening to YouTube in the background, allowing you to enjoy your favorite tunes while multitasking on your phone. While some users have reported issues with playlists, the app generally works flawlessly, seamlessly blending into the background without interrupting your other activities. The app's "Ghost Mode" is a game-changer, making YouTube completely disappear from view while the music plays on, a feature that's particularly useful for those with limited storage space. While a few users have encountered some initial hiccups with certain features, the developer is actively responsive and working to resolve any glitches.
Pros & Cons
- Plays YouTube in background
- Doesn't interfere with screen activity
- Good for music lovers with limited storage
- Has potential for future improvements
- Playlist issues, returns to top
- Download, wake-up, music mode not accessible
- Settings and download features can be buggy
Why we chose it?
Hey there! If you're looking for a reliable app to listen to YouTube in the background, Minimizer for YouTube Classic is your go-to! I love how it brings back the classic interface with the handy red bar, making it super easy to control playback even when minimized. Plus, Ghost Mode lets you enjoy music without any visual distractions! You can even switch to Music Mode for a streamlined listening experience. I've been using it for ages and it's always been a lifesaver, especially when I want to listen to my favorite music while getting other things done.
8. CleanTube
Background audio playback, Floating video player, No ads or sponsorships
Cost:
Free (Free), CleanTube Premium ($1.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Entertainment |
| Downloads | Over 800,000 downloads |
| Features | CleanTube lets you listen to YouTube music in the background, block ads, play videos in a floating window, and enjoy high-quality video playback. |
| Who It’s For | People who want to listen to YouTube music or watch videos without ads, while using other apps. |
- Tags:
- Ad-free videos
- Background Play
- Popup player
CleanTube is a popular app for listening to YouTube in the background, offering a seamless way to enjoy your favorite content without interruptions. Users rave about its ad-blocking capabilities, which eliminate the annoyance of forced ads on the official YouTube platform. However, recent updates have introduced a bug that prevents the home page from displaying properly, making it challenging to discover new content and access personalized recommendations. While this issue is frustrating for many users, the developers have been responsive and are working to resolve it.
Pros & Cons
- Blocks ads on YouTube
- Allows background playback
- Floating player feature
- Good for discovering related videos
- Buggy and unreliable
- Home page issues
- Videos stop unexpectedly
Why we chose it?
CleanTube is a total game-changer for me! It's the only app I've found that lets me listen to YouTube in the background without interruptions or ads. I love that I can keep my phone locked, switch to other apps, or even turn off my screen and still have my tunes playing. The floating player is also super handy for multitasking!
9. Playback
Listen YouTube background, Floating picture-in-picture mode, Screen off playback
Cost:
Free (Free), Playback Premium ($2.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Tools |
| Downloads | Over 632,000 downloads |
| Features | Playback lets you listen to YouTube videos in the background, even with the screen off or locked, create playlists, and enjoy picture-in-picture mode for multitasking. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone who wants to listen to YouTube music or videos in the background while doing other things on their phone. |
- Tags:
- Background playback
- Picture-in-Picture Mode
- Screen Off Playback
Playback is a fantastic app for listening to YouTube in the background, offering a seamless experience that many users find preferable to the limitations of the official YouTube app. It provides picture-in-picture functionality for those who lack it on their device, and surprisingly, it allows background play for all videos without requiring a premium subscription. While some users have noted minor issues with ads and playlist randomization, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, praising the app's convenience and value.
Pros & Cons
- Background play for YouTube
- Picture-in-Picture for older phones
- No subscription required for features
- Few ads, mostly from YouTube
- Ads present in the app
- Limited randomisation on playlists
- Bookmark section blocked by ad
Why we chose it?
Playback is my go-to app for listening to YouTube in the background! It's super easy to use, lets me create playlists, and even lets me listen with the screen off – perfect for multitasking. And the picture-in-picture mode is a game-changer, allowing me to watch videos while browsing other apps, which makes it a total winner for me!
10. MusicTube Plus
Background audio playback, No ads during playback, Screen off listening
Download:
Application information
| Category | Entertainment |
| Downloads | Over 300,000 downloads |
| Features | MusicTube Plus lets you play music from YouTube videos in the background, even with your screen off, control playback from your notification bar, and enjoy a seamless ad-free experience. |
| Who It’s For | This app is perfect for anyone who wants to listen to music from YouTube videos without having to keep the app open, whether you're multitasking, working out, or just relaxing. |
- Tags:
- Background playback
- No video ads
- Screen Off Playback
MusicTube Plus is a game-changer for anyone who wants to enjoy YouTube audio on the go. This app seamlessly allows you to listen to your favorite videos in the background, even with your screen off. Users rave about its clean interface and wide range of features, making it a breeze to find and play your desired content. While the app is a strong contender for background listening, some users express a desire for more control over playback, such as the ability to adjust playback speed and create playlists, making it an even more powerful tool for those who use it for long drives, podcasts, or simply enjoying extended music sessions.
Pros & Cons
- Listen to YouTube in background
- Clean and intuitive interface
- Wide range of features
- Useful for podcasts and videos
- No playback speed control
- No playlist queue support
- Loop function not working reliably
Why we chose it?
MusicTube Plus is a total game-changer if you love listening to YouTube in the background! It's super simple to use, with a clean interface that lets you easily switch between listening to music or watching videos. Plus, it's totally free and ad-free, so you can enjoy your music without interruptions. I love that I can keep listening even when my screen is off, making it perfect for multi-tasking!
11. FloatTube
Background audio playback, Floating video window, Customizable playback controls
Download:
Application information
| Category | Video Players & Editors |
| Downloads | Over 77,000 |
| Features | FloatTube allows you to listen to YouTube videos in the background, control playback with a floating window, and enjoy features like ad-blocking, auto-play, and video recommendations. |
| Who It’s For | People who want to listen to YouTube videos while multitasking or using other apps. |
- Tags:
- Picture-in-picture playback
- Free to use
- Customizable player
FloatTube is a handy app for listening to YouTube in the background on your mobile, allowing you to multitask while enjoying your favorite music or videos. It's great for those times when you want to continue listening to a podcast or song while checking emails or browsing the web. While the app boasts an ad-free experience, users have highlighted a few areas for improvement, like the floating player closing when the app is closed and the lack of playback controls in notifications. However, the app's functionality and the ability to multitask while listening to YouTube make it a valuable tool for many users.
Pros & Cons
- Background playback for YouTube
- Ad-free experience for listening
- Works well with floating player
- Great app for listening to music
- Floating player closes with app
- Replays same video after closing
- Lacks playback control in notifications
Why we chose it?
FloatTube is a fantastic option for background YouTube listening because it's completely free and easy to use. You can minimize the player to a small icon, giving you a seamless experience for listening to music or podcasts while browsing other apps. Plus, with its built-in ad-blocker, you can enjoy uninterrupted audio without any pesky interruptions.