iPhone

How to Play Music in Background on iPhone

December 6, 2024

Playing music in the background on your iPhone while multitasking can greatly enhance your user experience. Whether you’re using Apple Music, Spotify, or any other streaming service, the ability to continue listening to your favorite tunes while browsing the web or using other apps is a crucial feature for any music lover.

In this article, you’ll learn the exact steps to seamlessly play music in the background on your iPhone, including how to use Control Center and manage app permissions.

We’ll dive into the iOS multitasking features and discuss settings you might need to adjust for optimal performance. Understanding how to enable background audio and utilize various music streaming apps ensures you never miss a beat, even when switching between tasks.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to manage your playlists, make the most of your iOS device’s capabilities, and enhance your daily routine with continuous music playback.

How to Play Music in Background on iPhone: Quick Workflow

To play music in the background on your iPhone, you can utilize various methods depending on the app you are using. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

Using Built-in Background Sounds

For iOS 15 and later:

Open Settings: Go to your iPhone’s settings.
Accessibility: Scroll down and tap on “Accessibility.”
Audio/Visual: Select “Audio/Visual.”
Background Sounds: Tap on “Background Sounds” and toggle it on.
Choose Sound: Select from options like Rain, Ocean, or Bright Noise to play continuously while using other apps.

Control Center Access:

You can control background sounds from the Control Center. Add the Hearing option for quick access.

Playing Music from Apps

General Music Apps (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music)

Most music streaming apps allow you to play music in the background by default. Start playing a song, and you can lock your screen or switch to other apps without interrupting playback.

YouTube

YouTube Premium: Subscribing to YouTube Premium allows background playback natively.
Workaround for Free Users:
1. Open Safari and navigate to youtube.com.
2. Request the desktop site by tapping the “AA” icon in the URL bar.
3. Play your desired video.
4. Close Safari; when playback stops, swipe down to access Control Center and tap play on the music widget to resume audio playback.

Other Third-Party Apps

Some third-party apps may require specific settings or subscriptions for background playback. Check the app’s settings for options.

Summary of Steps

For Built-in Sounds: Use Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Background Sounds.
For Music Apps: Play music and switch apps; it should continue playing.
For YouTube: Use Safari to play videos in desktop mode and control playback through Control Center.

These methods will help you enjoy music or ambient sounds while multitasking on your iPhone effectively.

Built-in iPhone Features for Background Sounds

maxresdefault How to Play Music in Background on iPhone

Accessibility Background Sounds Feature

Activating Background Sounds through Settings

Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap on Accessibility. Next, choose Audio/Visual and then Background Sounds.

Step-by-step guide to enable and adjust background sounds

Flip the switch next to Background Sounds to the on position.
Choose your preferred sound (available options like rain, ocean, or stream).
Adjust the volume using the slider. This allows you to set how loud you want the background sounds to be.

Customization Options

Volume control

Use the volume slider to fine-tune the audio levels of your background sounds. Ensure it’s loud enough to mask other noises but not too disruptive.

Choosing different ambient sounds (e.g., rain, ocean)

Navigate to Sound under Background Sounds. From there, select from a variety of calming options, such as rain or ocean.

Setting up playback while media is playing or stopping sounds when locked

Within the Audio/Visual settings under Accessibility, you can choose whether the background sounds should continue during media playback or stop when your iPhone is locked. Toggle these options based on your preference to create a seamless listening experience.

Using the Control Center for Quick Access

Shortcut setup for quick Background Sounds toggle

Open Settings, go to Control Center, and add Hearing. This shortcut provides a quick toggle to enable or disable Background Sounds without diving back into settings.

Benefits of Control Center access for quick adjustments

The Control Center shortcut offers swift adjustments to your Background Sounds, saving time and providing ease of access. Perfect for quickly fine-tuning the volume or changing the type of ambient sound when needed.

Using YouTube Premium for Background Music

Overview of YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium offers key features that make it worth considering for background music.

Background play: This allows music to keep playing even when you’re using other apps or when your screen is off. No interruptions.
Ad-free experience: Say goodbye to ads disrupting your listening experience. Just pure, continuous music.
Subscription costs and availability: Available globally. Monthly fees apply but can vary by region. Check the App Store for the latest prices.

How to Use YouTube Music with a Premium Subscription

Navigating the YouTube Music App

Open the YouTube Music app. Everything starts here.

Steps to play music in the background while multitasking

Start playing your track or playlist. Just pick your tune and hit play.
Switch to another app. No need to pause. Continue using your iPhone Bluetooth playback or check your messages.
Music continues playing in the background, seamlessly.

Managing playback when screen is off or device is locked

Lock your screen. Press the side button.
Use the Control Center to manage playback. Swipe down from the upper-right to access controls.
Music keeps going, whether you’re jogging or the screen’s in your pocket.
Free Alternatives for Background Music Playback

Using Web Browsers for Background Play

Recommended browsers: Firefox and Opera

Firefox and Opera are two browsers that make this task simple. Forget about the YouTube app for now. These browsers can help keep your music running smoothly.

Step-by-Step Process

Accessing YouTube via a browser instead of the app Open Firefox or Opera. Go to YouTube’s website.
Switching to the home screen without interrupting playback Start playing your video. Navigate away using the home button or swipe up. The music should continue.
Using the Control Center to resume playback If the music stops, swipe down to open the Control Center. Hit the play button to resume.

Troubleshooting Browser Redirection to YouTube App

Steps to avoid redirection, including disabling or uninstalling the YouTube appDisable or uninstall the YouTube app if the browser keeps redirecting. This way, you can ensure playback won’t be transferred to the YouTube app.

Third-Party Apps for Background Music

Overview of Available Apps (e.g., Free Music Mgic, YubePiP)

Several apps can help. Free Music Mgic and YubePiP are popular options. These third-party apps offer flexibility.

Pros and cons of each app, including free vs. premium features

Free Music Mgic: Easy to use but may contain ads. Free version available.
YubePiP: Offers Picture-in-Picture mode. Premium version removes ads.

Guide to Setting Up and Using a Third-Party App

Downloading and installing the app Go to the App Store. Search for the app, download, and install.
Searching for songs or playlists and starting playback Open the app, search your favorite songs or playlists. Hit play.
Using Picture-in-Picture mode for background playback Enable PiP if available. Allows you to minimize the video while keeping it on screen.

Managing App Permissions and Settings

Steps to allow background play through app permissions Go to Settings, find the app. Ensure permissions for background activity are granted.
Practical Tips for Enhancing Background Music Experience

Optimizing Battery Life During Background Play

Lowering the screen brightness makes a difference. Open Settings > Display & Brightness. Adjust the brightness slider to a lower level. Saves battery.

Power settings matter, too. Enable Low Power Mode. Navigate to Settings > Battery. Toggle on Low Power Mode. It reduces background activities that may drain your battery.

Use the Control Center to manage screen time. Swipe down from the upper-right corner. Adjust brightness directly. The less the screen is lit, the longer your battery supports music playback.

Creating Playlists and Organizing Music for Seamless Playback

YouTube playlists keep your music flowing. Open the YouTube Music app. Find your favorite songs or videos. Tap Add to playlist.

Save multiple playlists for different moods. Access them without a hitch. With your playlists ready, no fumbling through song selections during your day. Keeps the flow uninterrupted.

Enhancing Audio Quality for Background Playback

Adjust volume and equalizer settings. Third-party apps like Spotify or Apple Music provide equalizer options.

For better sound, consider Bluetooth headphones or speakers. Bluetooth settings in iOS let you connect quickly. Tap Settings > Bluetooth. Choose your device. Enhanced listening, better experience.

Additional Methods for Offline Playback

Downloading YouTube Music with Third-Party Software

Legal Considerations: Downloading YouTube content can be tricky. The terms of service for YouTube prohibit downloading videos except through official channels. Always check the legalities before proceeding.

Playing Downloaded Audio Files in Offline Mode

Navigate to your downloaded files in Documents by Readdle. Select your MP3 file. The app’s media player allows for seamless offline playback. No internet needed.

Using Offline Playlists for Continuous Playback

Guide to Setting Up Offline Playlists in YouTube Music

YouTube Music makes it straightforward. Ensure you have a YouTube Premium subscription for this feature.

Open the YouTube Music app.
Go to your favorite playlist or album.
Tap the download icon. The entire playlist or album will be saved to your device.

Accessing Downloaded Playlists in Airplane Mode or Low-Data Areas

Switch your device to Airplane Mode. Open the YouTube Music app. Navigate to Library > Downloads. Select your playlist and enjoy uninterrupted music. Perfect for travel or areas with poor connectivity.

FAQ on How To Play Music In The Background On iPhone

How can I keep music playing in the background on my iPhone?

To keep music playing in the background on your iPhone, open your preferred music app like Apple Music or Spotify. Start playing a song. Then, switch to another app or go to the home screen. Music playback will continue seamlessly.

Why does my music stop when I open other apps?

Music may stop when opening other apps due to app settings or iOS restrictions. Ensure your music app has the necessary permissions. Also, check for any background activity restrictions in the settings under “App Permissions” and “Battery Management.”

Which apps support background music playback on iPhone?

Many music streaming apps like Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, Pandora, and Tidal support background playback. These apps allow you to multitask without interrupting your music listening experience.

How do I enable background music on iPhone while using other apps?

To enable background music while multitasking, launch your music app and play a track. Use the Control Center to switch between apps without stopping the music. This feature is natively supported by iOS.

Can I play YouTube in the background on iPhone?

Yes, but it often requires a workaround. Open YouTube in Safari, start your video, and switch to another app using the Picture-in-Picture mode. Alternatively, consider using YouTube Music for background playback.

Does background music drain the iPhone battery faster?

Running music in the background can consume more battery. Monitor battery usage in Battery Settings and manage settings like screen brightness and app permissions to optimize performance.

How can I fix issues with background music playback on my iPhone?

First, ensure your iOS is up to date. Check app permissions and background app refresh settings. If issues persist, restarting your iPhone or reinstalling the music app can help.

Can I control background music from the lock screen?

Yes, you can control background music from the Control Center on your lock screen. Play, pause, skip tracks, and adjust volume without unlocking your device, making it convenient to manage playback.

Does using Bluetooth affect playing music in the background?

Bluetooth does not affect background music playback. Whether using AirPods or Beats headphones, start your music as usual. Switch to other tasks while enjoying uninterrupted playback through your Bluetooth device.

How do I keep music playing in the background on older iPhone models?

Older iPhone models also support background music playback. Open your music app, play a track, and use the Control Center to navigate other apps. Ensure your iOS version supports this feature, typically prominent from iOS 10 onwards.

Conclusion

To master how to play music in the background on iPhone, follow the outlined steps to enhance your listening experience seamlessly. Utilizing features like the Control Center and app permissions ensures uninterrupted playback across various applications. Music streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Pandora allow smooth multitasking while listening to your favorite tracks.

By leveraging iOS multitasking capabilities, you can keep the music going while browsing apps or navigating different tasks. Checking app permissions and settings for background activity will ensure continuous playback.

Remember to manage battery settings to avoid excessive drain while running music in the background. Bluetooth devices like AirPods or Beats headphones provide a further layer of convenience for a hands-free experience.

In summary, playing music in the background on your iPhone is a straightforward process that enhances user enjoyment and productivity. Embrace these tips, and you’ll be able to keep the tunes flowing without interruption.

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan is a seasoned web designer and tech strategist, with a keen eye on emerging industry trends.

With over a decade in the tech field, Bogdan blends technical expertise with insights on business innovation in technology.

A regular contributor to TMS Outsource's blog, where you'll find sharp analyses on software development, tech business strategies, and global tech dynamics.