Microsoft Edge has launched a provocative new feature allowing free background video playback on YouTube, directly challenging YouTube Premium‘s paid functionality. The experimental feature in Edge Canary for Android lets users play videos during switching apps or when their device is locked – a core Premium benefit that typically costs $168 annually. As users celebrate this workaround, Google’s likely response could reshape how we access premium features going forward.
Although YouTube Premium subscribers pay $14 monthly for background video playback, Microsoft’s Edge browser has quietly introduced a feature that offers this premium perk for free. The experimental feature, currently available in Edge Canary for Android, allows users to continue playing YouTube videos while switching apps, browsing other tabs, or even when their device is locked.
This bold move by Microsoft fundamentally circumvents one of YouTube Premium’s key selling points, potentially disrupting Google’s subscription-based revenue model. Users can access this capability by activating the “Video Background Play” flag in Edge Canary’s settings and toggling “Background audio playback” in site settings – a process that takes mere minutes but delivers what typically costs $168 annually.
Microsoft’s Edge browser boldly challenges YouTube Premium by offering free background playback, undercutting Google’s $168 annual subscription service.
The implementation extends beyond YouTube, working seamlessly with other video platforms that support background playback. When activated, videos continue playing with precise media controls appearing on the device’s lock screen, though some functionality remains limited. Similar conflicts arose in 2013 with Windows Phone, when Microsoft’s YouTube app was blocked for offering premium features without authorization. Playlist features like auto-play require manual intervention, and the experimental nature of the feature means users might encounter occasional bugs. The Edge Canary release is specifically designed for early testers who can tolerate potential instability.
Microsoft’s decision to include built-in ad blocking alongside background playback delivers a one-two punch to YouTube’s monetisation strategy. By offering both ad-free viewing and background playback without requiring a subscription, Edge Canary effectively replicates the core benefits of YouTube Premium at no cost to users.
This isn’t the first time a browser has attempted to bypass YouTube’s premium features, and history suggests Google won’t take this lying down. Previous attempts by other browsers to facilitate free background playback have typically met with swift legal or technical countermeasures from Google, raising questions about the feature’s long-term viability.
The move places Microsoft in a precarious position, potentially violating YouTube’s terms of service and intellectual property rights. While users currently enjoy this premium workaround, the environment could shift quickly if Google decides to enforce its rights or implement technical barriers to prevent such circumvention.
For now, Android users seeking premium YouTube features without the premium price tag can find solace in Edge Canary. Nonetheless, the experimental nature of the feature and the looming possibility of Google’s intervention suggest this loophole might be short-lived.
Whether Microsoft will maintain support for this feature in the face of potential legal scrutiny remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the battle for control over premium features in the digital space continues to evolve.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft’s recent decision to enable free background playback in Edge has sparked a potential conflict with YouTube Premium‘s subscription features. While users may appreciate this loophole, it raises questions about the tension between browser capabilities and platform regulations. As the lines between web browsers and streaming services continue to blur, such disputes may become more frequent.
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