Over the past few years, I have listened to thousands of hours’ worth of music on YouTube.
Mainly because newer artists who have not made it on other platforms like Spotify end up uploading their music there.
However, the fact that I could not lock my YouTube screen without affecting playback was always troublesome for me.
Unlike other apps, I was unable to just listen to music without worrying about something messing with the playback. This also meant I was not able to go for a run or do my chores mindlessly while listening to music.
Anytime I would accidentally touch the phone screen, it would either pause the music or move on to the next song in the queue.
One day, I grew overly frustrated and decided I had had enough.
So I spent hours going through online guides and forums. Finally, I found a solution that helped me lock the youtube screen without affecting playback.
Both Apple and Android devices have built-in features (screen pinning and guided access) to lock the screen. The options can be accessed under the ‘security’ tab in the app settings.
Playback issues on YouTube Premium
Subscribers of the YouTube Premium membership are allowed to lock their screens without stopping audio playback.
However, some users face issues despite being on the Premium version. Here’s how you can fix this:
- Open device settings
- Go to the “Battery Optimization” menu
- Choosing the “Don’t optimize” or ‘No restrictions” option
Locking YouTube Screen on Android
For Android devices, the in-built screen-pinning feature allows you to lock your screen without stopping YouTube playback. You can lock the entire phone with only one app running.
To enable Screen Pinning:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Select “Security” from the drop-down menu.
- Select the “Advanced” option.
- Look for “Screen Pinning”. If you don’t see the option for Screen Pinning, it should be displayed as “Lock Screen and Security” on your Android.
- Turn on the feature on your Android device.
- Now, open YouTube and click the Pin icon to lock the app.
Another option for locking the YouTube screen on Android devices is by using a third-party app such as ‘Touch Blocker’.
‘Touch Blocker’ is available on the Google Play Store and is straightforward to use.
Locking YouTube Screen on iOS
On iOS devices, the in-built “Guided Access” feature can be used to lock the screen while watching YouTube videos.
To enable Guided Access:
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone from the home screen.
- Scroll down and select the “Accessibility” option.
- With the Accessibility menu open, scroll and tap on the “Guided Access” option.
- Tap on “Passcode Settings” > “Set Guided Access Passcode”.
- Enter your passcode twice.
- Close the Settings app.
- Launch the YouTube app and play your desired video.
- While the video is playing, press the home button three times.
- Use the options to disable touch and/or motion, and then start Guided Access.
- To end Guided Access, triple-click the home button and enter your passcode.
Additionally, the ‘Touch Blocker’ app is also available on the App store.
Using a YouTube Alternative
Multiple YouTube alternatives such as ‘YouTube Vanced,’ ‘NewPipe,’ and ‘Invidious’ are available.
Apart from offering all YouTube content, these apps offer free in-built screen-locking features, unlike the official platform.
These alternatives, therefore, allow you to save money on a potential YouTube Premium subscription and also let you lock your screens without stopping audio playback.
Locking phone screen while streaming on YouTube
In summary, the screen-pinning and guided access features mentioned can be enabled in order to lock the phone screen.
Both methods are straightforward, and the ‘Touch Blocker’ app offers an alternative for users who still face trouble.
There are other third-party applications that can be used as well, including the likes of ‘YouTube Vanced’ and ‘Invidious.’
Finally, by using the Dolphin browser, you can play a video on the browser, tap on the home screen, and then use the play button in the notification area to play only the audio.
This method is obviously not available on the YouTube application and will require you to switch to the Dolphin Browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lock the YouTube screen on my Android device?
Yes, you can use the Screen Pinning feature on Android devices to lock the YouTube screen and prevent unintended actions while watching videos.
Is there a built-in feature on iOS devices to lock the YouTube screen?
Yes, on iOS devices, you can use the Guided Access feature to lock the YouTube screen and prevent unintended actions while watching videos.
Can I lock the screen on YouTube only, or can I lock other apps as well?
Both Screen Pinning on Android and Guided Access on iOS allow you to lock any app, not just YouTube.
Can I use third-party apps to lock the YouTube screen?
Yes, you can use third-party apps such as ‘Touch Blocker’ to lock the screen during playback. Further, some YouTube alternatives like ‘YouTube Vanced’ also offer screen-locking features without sacrificing the content in any way.
