YouTube axes popular browser hack for background playback, herding users back into the ad-infested app fold

A popular workaround that allowed YouTube users to play videos in the background on mobile devices has stopped working for those using third-party browsers. The issue affects users who relied on this method to continue listening to YouTube audio while using other apps or locking their screens. The exact cause of the disruption is unclear, but it is believed to be related to changes made by YouTube or Google. This development is significant as it impacts a substantial number of users who utilize third-party browsers to access YouTube content. The background playback feature is a highly sought-after functionality, particularly among music and podcast listeners. YouTube's official app only offers background playback to YouTube Premium subscribers, making workarounds like this one attractive to non-subscribers. The loss of this feature may drive users to explore alternative music streaming services or consider upgrading to YouTube Premium, which could have implications for the company's revenue and user engagement strategies.