Google has officially shut down the background playback workaround for YouTube on Android. Previously, users could listen to videos while their phones were locked by using mobile browsers like Samsung Internet or Brave. This allowed them to bypass the need for a YouTube Premium subscription, which offers features like ad-free viewing and offline downloads.

This change means that those who relied on the loophole will no longer be able to listen to YouTube content in the background for free. When a non-Premium user locks their device, playback controls disappear. Google's move aligns with its strategy to restrict features to paying subscribers, similar to its efforts against ad blockers.

This is a blow for users who enjoyed the convenience of background playback without a subscription. It underscores Google's ongoing efforts to monetize its services. Given the popularity of YouTube, expect this to impact user experience and potentially drive more subscriptions to YouTube Premium.