Can I play YouTube videos while using another app on iPad? not working

January 13, 2023 10:10 AM

According to recent info I should, as a free (not Premium) YouTube user, now be able to start a video on YouTube, get it in Picture In Picture (no problem), and then, swipe out of YouTube, and the video should keep playing in its little PIP screen on top of whatever else I am doing. But it doesn’t…

I have updated my ioS on my iPad Pro to 16 point something. I have made sure on iPad settings tht PIP is enabled automatically (and it does this). I have gone into YouTube settings looking for something called Downloads (and something else) but that does not seem to exist. I’ve looked at every YouTube setting possible. But when I exit YouTube, the music ends.

Is it a fantasy that you can play YT videos while on another app if you are not paying for YT Premium, or am I doing something wrong?

posted by DMelanogaster to Computers & Internet (19 answers total)

I’m not sure about the settings, but it’s definitely not a fantasy. I have an iPad Air (4th gen) running 16.2 and I can watch YT videos (or any other video like Disney+) in its own small window while surfing the web using Safari.
posted by Roger Pittman at 10:15 AM on January 13, 2023

Response by poster: I so envy you!
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:19 AM on January 13, 2023

But when I exit YouTube, the music ends.

It depends on the video. Music generally will not work.

This video, randomly pulled from the home page, did work as PIP for me.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 10:20 AM on January 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: The video you posted did not keep playing when I swiped out of YouTube. At the time I swiped out, I had put it into PIP.
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:24 AM on January 13, 2023

I play YT videos in the (Chrome) browser, not the app, on my ipad, then go full screen, then minimize. This way I can keep watching or listening, without Premium account.
posted by meijusa at 10:36 AM on January 13, 2023

Just tested with Safari. There, it works as well, only I didn’t find a way to minimize the window, but pressing the home button does the same thing. Though I’m out of the Safari app, the YT window in the corner keeps playing. I then went into Safari again, which worked and kept the extra YT mini window.
posted by meijusa at 10:43 AM on January 13, 2023

Response by poster: I went to Chrome and got YouTube.com. Pressed that power button, music continued , little player on a blank screen with Play arrow. But when I swiped up to get to any app, including any browser, the music stopped.

My goal would be to have the music stay on while I go into my drawing app and draw.
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:58 AM on January 13, 2023

Have you tried the YouTube app? I don't know that I've heard of doing this from a browser on iOS. Don't do anything special, just switch to another app or back to your home screen and the video should keep playing.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 11:15 AM on January 13, 2023

I think Nonsteroidal has it. I use the YouTube app instead of viewing YT in a browser.
posted by Roger Pittman at 11:16 AM on January 13, 2023

Response by poster: I have been on the app all along, until somebody Up There said try the Chrome browser. That was just an experiment. Always on the app.
posted by DMelanogaster at 11:31 AM on January 13, 2023

Is “Start PiP automatically “ toggled on in your iPad Pro settings (found under General - Picture in Picture)?
posted by Roger Pittman at 11:53 AM on January 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

The YouTube app also has a setting that is required for this feature. For me it's in the General section, called "Picture-in-picture".
posted by meowzilla at 12:03 PM on January 13, 2023

Response by poster: ALL of this is done, checked. In the app and in the iPad settings too.
posted by DMelanogaster at 12:06 PM on January 13, 2023

I just tried again from the browser and could both play the yt video in a popped-out window and use other apps. Two potential differences: 1) I’m still in iOS 15 and 2) by the description of what you did you missed the full-screen step.
posted by meijusa at 12:35 PM on January 13, 2023

I’m not sure if this is helpful but on my iOS devices i never have to “put it in PiP mode” — if I’m playing a YT video and leave the app the sound continues playing.

If you just need the music, not the video, you may try disabling all PiP stuff.

You may also find success with the YouTube music app, which doesn’t try any video at all.
posted by wemayfreeze at 12:52 PM on January 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: It works for me, with the following specifics:

Setup: iPad Air (4th generation), iPadOS 16.2, "Start PiP Automatically" is ON.

Steps:
1. Play a video in the YouTube app
2. While video is playing (not paused), swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go to the Home screen
3. Observe video continues playing in a small movable window

I wonder if there are some other restrictions limiting this feature? Location, maybe? I'm in USA
posted by kidbritish at 4:04 PM on January 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: kidbritish: YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!! And, important, after the small movable window comes up on the home screen I am then able to tap on my drawing app and the little YouTube window is STILL there, playing away!!!!

THANK YOU so much!!!
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:59 PM on January 13, 2023

Response by poster: but oh god, the ADS. On my PC I have an ad blocker. Doesn't seem possible anymore on the iPad. damn.
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:20 PM on January 13, 2023

If you're only interested in the audio...

Another solution I've found (eg for Safari on an iphone) is to "Request Desktop Website" (by pressing the AA button to the left of address bar). I can start a youtube video in that way and then click the power button on the phone. The video and audio *will* stop, but if I press the power button again to open the lock screen on my phone will present a "play" button to restart the audio. Then I can press the power button to turn off the screen... and audio continues.
posted by pjenks at 8:22 AM on January 14, 2023 [1 favorite]