How to listen to YouTube with your screen off on Xiaomi: all working ways in 2026

The switched-off screen of Xiaomi’s smartphone is no reason to stop listening to your favorite podcasts, music or lectures from YouTube. By default, the application blocks playback when the screen is locked, but you can bypass this restriction in several ways – from standard functions. MIUI In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for Redmi devices, POCO, Black Shark and other Xiaomi ranges, including root-free and root-based solutions.

It is important to understand that some ways may conflict with Google's policies (such as modified versions of YouTube Premium), so use them at your own risk.We will also point out legal alternatives that do not violate the rules of the service.If you often listen to content in the background, it is worth considering YouTube Premium subscription - this is the only officially supported way.

The article is relevant for MIUI 12-14 and Android 11-14 devices. If your smartphone is running an older firmware version, some methods may not work – check the option to update in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

1. Built-in functions MIUI: Background reproduction" mode"

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has added limited back-up support for some apps, including YouTube. However, this feature is unstable and depends on the firmware version and device model:

1. Open YouTube and start playing the video.
2. Return to the main screen by swiping up (or clicking the Home button).
3. Deploy the notification bar and find the YouTube playback card.
4. Touch the "Reproduce" icon" (▶️) In the notification, the video will continue to play when the screen is turned off.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro with a MIUI 13) the notification may disappear after 5-10 seconds. To avoid this, turn off the battery optimization for YouTube:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → YouTube.
2. Select Battery Limitations → No restrictions.
3. Activate Auto Start and Secondary Start.

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If the playback notification doesn’t appear, try first enabling the video in your browser (Chrome/Firefox) — Sometimes it works even without a Premium account.

This method does not guarantee stable performance, as Google regularly blocks background playback through notifications.If the method stopped working after the YouTube update, try the following alternatives.

2. YouTube Premium: Legal way without restrictions

The most reliable and simple method is to subscribe to YouTube Premium, which not only allows background playback, but also removes ads, allows you to download videos for offline viewing and includes access to YouTube Music. ₽/month (current to June 2026).

How to activate:

• 📱 Open the YouTube app and tap on the profile avatar.
• 💳 Choose Get YouTube Premium and follow the payment instructions.
• 🎵 After activation, close the video – it will continue to play in the background.

Advantages of Premium:

• ✅ Works on all devices (including Xiaomi, iPhone, tablets).
• ✅ No risk of blocking your account for using modified versions.
• ✅ Support 1080p and 4K limitlessly.

If you can’t afford a subscription, consider the family fare (up to 5 accounts for 449). ₽/a month) or student discount (50% for confirmed students).

3.Modified versions of YouTube: Vanced and ReVanced

Until 2022, the most popular solution was YouTube Vanced, a modified version of the app with background playback, ad blocking and other features, but the project was closed due to Google claims, replaced by ReVanced, an open patch for the original version of the app. APK.

⚠️ Note: Using modified versions violates YouTube’s policies and may result in account blocking.We do not recommend this method for a primary account with important data (view history, subscriptions).

How to install ReVanced:

1. Download the original APK YouTube from APKMirror (Premium-free version).
2. Install ReVanced Manager from GitHub.
3. In the manager, select the downloaded APK And apply the patches: 🔇 Background playback (background playback). 🚫 Disable Ads (optional, ad blocking).

Install the modified result APK device.

List of supported Xiaomi devices:

If after installing ReVanced video is not played in the background, check:

• 🔄 Update the patches in ReVanced Manager.
• 📵 Turn off battery optimization for the app (see Section 1).
• 🛠️ Reinstall. APK with clean patches (without unnecessary modifications).

4.Browser solutions: Chrome and Firefox

If you don’t want to install third-party apps, you can listen to YouTube through your browser.This method works on all Xiaomi devices without additional settings, but has limitations: video stops when you lock the screen in Chrome, and Firefox requires manual settings.

Instructions for Firefox:

1. Open m.youtube.com in Firefox.
2. Start playing the video.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner of the browser and select the Desktop version.
4. Return to the main screen and the video will continue to play.
5. For playback with the screen off: 🔊 Turn on the video. 🔄 Turn off Firefox (don't close it!). 📱 Lock the screen and the sound will remain.

Chrome will require a workaround:

• 🌐 Open the video on YouTube.com (not mobile version!).
• 🔊 Start playing.
• 📱 Turn off your browser and lock the screen – sound will only play if the video is in audio format (podcasts, music).

Disable traffic savings in browser settings|

Add YouTube to Battery Optimization Exceptions|

Use the desktop version of the site|

Do not close the tab with the video-->

Cons of the browser method:

• ❌ Videos with visual content (clips, streams) are often blocked.
• ❌ Chrome audio can be interrupted during long-term listening.
• ❌ Battery consumption is higher than in the application.

5. Apps-crawlers: NewPipe and SkyTube

If modified versions of YouTube seem risky, look out for open-source alternative clients: NewPipe and SkyTube. They don't require a Google account, block ads and support background playouts out of the box.

NewPipe (recommended):

• 📥 Download. APK From the official website: newpipe.net.
• 🔓 Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Annexes → Special access rights → Installation of unknown applications.
• 🎵 After installation, open the video – it will play even when the screen is locked.

NewPipe functions:

• 🔄 Reproduction in the background and with the screen off.
• 📥 Download video/audio in different formats (up to) 4K).
• 🚫 No advertising or tracking.
• 📺 Support for playlists and subscriptions (without a Google account).

SkyTube is an alternative for those who prefer a minimalist interface, with fewer features, but it is easier and more stable on weak devices (e.g. Redmi). 9A). Downloadable on GitHub.

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NewPipe and SkyTube are the only legal ways to listen to YouTube with the screen off without the risk of blocking your account. API YouTube.

6. ADB-commands: unlocking background playback

For advanced users, there is a way to unlock background playback in the original YouTube without modifications – via ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires a PC connection.

Instructions:

1. 🖥️ Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on the computer.
2. 📱 On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → Put it on the version. MIUI 7 times until the notification appears.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

adb shell am start -n com.google.android.youtube/.app.honeycomb.Shell$HomeActivity

adb shell pm grant com.google.android.youtube android.permission.WAKE_LOCK

After that:

• 🎵 Open YouTube and start playing.
• 📱 Turn the app down – the video will continue to play.
• 🔋 For stable operation, turn off battery optimization (see section 1).

⚠️ Note: Once you update YouTube or reset the procedure will have to repeat, and Google may block this method in new versions of the application.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This team will unlock the hidden API, But it can affect the stability of the system. Use it at your own risk.

7. Automation with Tasker: for power users

If you're familiar with Tasker or MacroDroid, you can create an automatic script to simulate clicking on a YouTube notification so that the video doesn't stop, which is harder than the others, but gives you flexibility to set up.

Example of macros for MacroDroid:

1. 📱 Install MacroDroid from Google Play.
2. 🔄 Create a new macro with a trigger Notice received (select YouTube).
3. 📝 Add the action Click Notification.
4. 🔁 Set the delay to 1 second and add the action Lock the screen (optional).

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ It works without root and modifications.
• 🔄 You can set up automatic turn on when connecting headphones.
• 📵 Does not affect your YouTube account.

Disadvantages:

• ⚙️ It takes time to set up.
• 📱 It may conflict with optimization MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions