Are you tired of wasting battery life or dealing with distractions while listening to your favorite YouTube videos or podcasts? Turning off the screen while playing YouTube can be a convenient solution. In this article, we will explore the various methods to turn off the screen when playing YouTube on different devices, including Android, iOS, and desktop computers.
Why Turn Off the Screen When Playing YouTube?
Before we dive into the methods, let’s discuss the benefits of turning off the screen when playing YouTube:
- Battery Life: One of the primary reasons to turn off the screen is to conserve battery life. When you’re only listening to audio, there’s no need to keep the screen on, which can significantly reduce battery consumption.
- Distractions: Turning off the screen can help minimize distractions, allowing you to focus on other tasks or relax while listening to your favorite content.
- Ambient Listening: Turning off the screen can enhance the ambient listening experience, making it feel more like listening to a podcast or radio show.
Turning Off the Screen on Android Devices
Android devices offer several methods to turn off the screen when playing YouTube:
Method 1: Using the YouTube App
The YouTube app on Android devices has a built-in feature to turn off the screen:
- Open the YouTube app and start playing a video.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon on the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down to the “General” section.
- Toggle the switch next to “Background play” to enable it.
- Go back to the video playback screen and press the power button to turn off the screen.
Method 2: Using the Power Button
You can also use the power button to turn off the screen while playing YouTube:
- Open the YouTube app and start playing a video.
- Press the power button to turn off the screen.
- The video will continue playing in the background.
Method 3: Using a Third-Party App
There are several third-party apps available on the Google Play Store that can help you turn off the screen when playing YouTube:
- Download and install an app like “Screen Off and Lock” or “Turn Off Screen”.
- Open the app and grant the necessary permissions.
- Open the YouTube app and start playing a video.
- Use the third-party app to turn off the screen.
Turning Off the Screen on iOS Devices
iOS devices also offer several methods to turn off the screen when playing YouTube:
Method 1: Using the YouTube App
The YouTube app on iOS devices has a built-in feature to turn off the screen:
- Open the YouTube app and start playing a video.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon on the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down to the “General” section.
- Toggle the switch next to “Background play” to enable it.
- Go back to the video playback screen and press the sleep/wake button to turn off the screen.
Method 2: Using the Sleep/Wake Button
You can also use the sleep/wake button to turn off the screen while playing YouTube:
- Open the YouTube app and start playing a video.
- Press the sleep/wake button to turn off the screen.
- The video will continue playing in the background.
Method 3: Using Siri
You can also use Siri to turn off the screen while playing YouTube:
- Open the YouTube app and start playing a video.
- Activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or by pressing and holding the home button (or side button on iPhone X and later).
- Say “Turn off the screen” or “Lock the screen”.
- Siri will turn off the screen, and the video will continue playing in the background.
Turning Off the Screen on Desktop Computers
You can also turn off the screen when playing YouTube on desktop computers:
Method 1: Using the YouTube Website
You can use the YouTube website to turn off the screen:
- Open a web browser and navigate to the YouTube website.
- Start playing a video.
- Press the Windows key + L (Windows) or Command + Option + L (Mac) to lock the computer.
- The screen will turn off, and the video will continue playing in the background.
Method 2: Using a Third-Party Extension
There are several third-party extensions available for web browsers that can help you turn off the screen when playing YouTube:
- Download and install an extension like “Turn Off the Lights” or “YouTube Background Play”.
- Open the YouTube website and start playing a video.
- Use the extension to turn off the screen.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks to enhance your YouTube experience:
- Use a Screen Saver: You can set a screen saver to turn off the screen after a certain period of inactivity.
- Adjust the Screen Timeout: You can adjust the screen timeout settings to turn off the screen after a certain period of inactivity.
- Use a Third-Party App: There are several third-party apps available that can help you customize your YouTube experience, including turning off the screen.
Conclusion
Turning off the screen when playing YouTube can be a convenient solution to conserve battery life, minimize distractions, and enhance the ambient listening experience. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can easily turn off the screen on Android, iOS, and desktop computers.
Q: Why would I want to turn off the screen when playing YouTube videos?
Turning off the screen when playing YouTube videos can be beneficial in several ways. For one, it can help conserve battery life on your device, especially if you’re listening to music or podcasts on YouTube. Additionally, turning off the screen can also help minimize distractions, allowing you to focus on the audio content without being tempted to watch the video.
Furthermore, turning off the screen can also be useful when you’re using YouTube as a background music player. By turning off the screen, you can continue listening to your favorite music or podcasts while doing other tasks, such as browsing the web, checking email, or working on a document.
Q: How do I turn off the screen when playing YouTube videos on my Android device?
To turn off the screen when playing YouTube videos on your Android device, you can use the “Picture-in-Picture” (PiP) mode. To enable PiP mode, start playing a YouTube video and then press the home button. The video will continue playing in a small window, and you can turn off the screen by pressing the power button. Alternatively, you can also use the “Screen off” feature in the YouTube app settings.
To access the Screen off feature, open the YouTube app, go to Settings, and select “General.” Scroll down to the “Screen off” option and toggle it on. Once enabled, you can turn off the screen while playing YouTube videos by pressing the power button.
Q: Can I turn off the screen when playing YouTube videos on my iPhone or iPad?
Yes, you can turn off the screen when playing YouTube videos on your iPhone or iPad using the “Picture-in-Picture” (PiP) mode. To enable PiP mode, start playing a YouTube video and then swipe up from the bottom of the screen. The video will continue playing in a small window, and you can turn off the screen by pressing the sleep/wake button.
Alternatively, you can also use the “Background Play” feature in the YouTube app settings. To access Background Play, open the YouTube app, go to Settings, and select “Background & Downloads.” Toggle on the “Background Play” option, and you’ll be able to turn off the screen while playing YouTube videos.
Q: Will turning off the screen affect the video playback quality?
No, turning off the screen will not affect the video playback quality. The video will continue playing in the background, and the audio will remain uninterrupted. However, keep in mind that if you’re using a low-end device or a slow internet connection, turning off the screen may cause the video to buffer or pause temporarily.
Additionally, if you’re using a device with a limited amount of RAM, turning off the screen may cause the YouTube app to pause or close temporarily. However, this is rare and usually only occurs on older devices or devices with limited resources.
Q: Can I turn off the screen when playing YouTube videos on my computer?
Yes, you can turn off the screen when playing YouTube videos on your computer using the “Minimize” feature. To minimize the YouTube window, click the minimize button in the top-right corner of the window. The video will continue playing in the background, and you can turn off the screen by pressing the power button or closing the laptop lid.
Alternatively, you can also use the “Background Play” feature in the YouTube settings. To access Background Play, open the YouTube website, click the three dots in the top-right corner, and select “Settings.” Scroll down to the “Background Play” option and toggle it on. Once enabled, you can turn off the screen while playing YouTube videos.
Q: Will turning off the screen consume more data?
No, turning off the screen will not consume more data. The video will continue playing in the background, and the data usage will remain the same. However, keep in mind that if you’re using a mobile device, turning off the screen may cause the device to switch to a lower quality video stream, which can reduce data usage.
Additionally, if you’re using a device with a limited data plan, it’s always a good idea to monitor your data usage and adjust your settings accordingly. You can do this by checking your device’s data usage settings or by contacting your internet service provider.
Q: Are there any limitations to turning off the screen when playing YouTube videos?
Yes, there are some limitations to turning off the screen when playing YouTube videos. For example, some YouTube videos may not be available for background play, and turning off the screen may cause the video to pause or stop. Additionally, some devices may not support background play, and turning off the screen may cause the video to close.
Furthermore, some YouTube features, such as live streaming and 360-degree videos, may not be available when turning off the screen. Additionally, turning off the screen may also disable some YouTube features, such as captions and annotations.