**YouTube Cracks Down on Background Playback Hack: A Blow for Free Users**

Google's relentless pursuit of converting free YouTube users to the paid Premium plan has taken another hit. In a move that has left many scratching their heads, YouTube is now actively clamping down on a popular mobile browser background playback hack.

This workaround, which allowed free users to play YouTube video audio in the background – a feature exclusive to Premium members – had been a staple for many users of third-party mobile browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Brave, or Samsung Internet. By playing a video and then minimizing the browser, users could effectively bypass the paywall and enjoy background playback.

However, according to a growing number of user reports, this hack is no longer working for many free YouTube users. And in an official statement shared with Android Authority, Google confirmed that they have indeed updated their experience to ensure consistency across all platforms – code for: no more background viewing for non-Premium users.

When asked about the clampdown, a Reddit user summed up the frustration: "We are now officially paying for everything that was free a couple of years ago."

This move is just the latest in a series of blows to free YouTube users. In the past year, Google has also cracked down on ad blockers, forcing many users to seek out sneaky workarounds.

So, what's driving this push towards Premium? It all comes down to one thing: revenue. By paywalling features that have been free for years, YouTube is trying to convince more users to upgrade to the paid plan – which currently costs $13.99 / £12.99 / AU$16.99 per month.

But here's the thing: while we appreciate the benefits of a ad-free experience and exclusive content, not everyone can justify the cost. And when YouTube pulls stunts like this, it only creates more friction with free users who can't stomach the premium price tag.

And what about desktop web browsers? Well, they're still off-limits for now – but how long will it be before YouTube decides to paywall background viewing on those platforms as well?

Stay tuned for more updates from TechRadar. Follow us on Google News, add us as a preferred source, and get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.

Want to stay up-to-date with the latest tech news? Follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings, and more – or follow us on WhatsApp to get regular updates from our team.

**About the author:** Rowan is an Editorial Associate and Apprentice Writer for TechRadar. With a passion for audio tech and entertainment culture, he brings the latest news and updates in tech to our readers. Stay tuned for more stories from him!