I discovered this trick by accident and wanted to share it with everyone.
Steps to follow:
Open any YouTube video using the mobile app
Activate the picture-in-picture mode by minimizing the application
Hit the pause button on the floating video window
Lock your device or turn the display off
Use your wireless earbuds with controls (I tested with AirPods Pro) and press the play button
The audio will continue playing even though your screen is off
This method worked perfectly on my iPhone 14 Pro. I’m not sure if it works the same way on other phone models or with different types of headphones, but it’s worth trying if you want to save battery while listening to YouTube content.
For quite some time now, I’ve been using YouTube Vanced for listening to audio while my screen is off. It’s a modified version of the YouTube app that allows background playback without needing any complicated settings or premium subscriptions.
The installation requires downloading the APK since it’s not listed in official app stores, but it integrates nicely once you’ve set it up. You just start your video, hit the home button, and the audio continues without interruptions. One of the best features is that it blocks ads and offers functionalities like repeat options.
This app works effectively regardless of your headphone type and bypasses the need for picture-in-picture mode entirely. While it’s mainly for Android devices, there are some alternatives for iOS users as well.
Interesting approach, though I found a simpler method that works consistently across different devices. I use the browser version of YouTube instead of the app - just open YouTube in Safari or Chrome, start your video, then switch to desktop mode in the browser settings. Once you lock your phone, you can control playback directly from the lock screen without needing picture-in-picture or specific headphone controls.
This technique has been reliable on both my Android phone and my partner’s older iPhone. The main advantage is that it doesn’t depend on having wireless earbuds with built-in controls, so regular wired headphones work just fine. I stumbled across this when YouTube Premium wasn’t available in my region, and it saved me countless hours of battery life during long podcast sessions.