Microsoft may have just given Android users a compelling reason to ditch YouTube Premium. In the latest Edge Canary build for Android, the browser quietly introduced features that allow background video playback on YouTube and ad blocking, even without a Premium subscription.
Play YouTube Videos in the Background – No Premium Needed
One of the core features that YouTube Premium subscribers pay for is background playback – the ability to continue listening to videos while switching apps or locking the device. But with the newest Edge Canary update, this functionality is now possible without paying for Premium.
To enable background playback:
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Download Microsoft Edge Canary on your Android device.
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In the browser’s address bar, enter:
edge://flags -
Search for “Background video playback” and enable the setting.
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Restart the browser.
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Go to Settings > Site Settings
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Toggle the “Video Background Playback” switch to Enabled
Once set up, YouTube videos will keep playing even when you:
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Switch tabs
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Use other apps
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Lock your phone
This functionality isn’t limited to YouTube – it works on other websites with embedded videos as well.
Built-in Ad Blocker for YouTube
Edge Canary for Android also includes an integrated ad blocker. When you launch it for the first time, the browser prompts you to “turn on ad blocking to watch videos without ads.” This setting suppresses most ads across websites – including on YouTube.
If this functionality makes it to the stable version of Edge, it could significantly shift user behavior. Users would have less reason to subscribe to YouTube Premium, which could impact YouTube’s subscription numbers.
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History Repeats?
This wouldn’t be the first time Microsoft challenged YouTube’s monetization model. Back in 2013, Microsoft released a YouTube app for Windows Phone that stripped out ads and allowed downloads – both of which violated YouTube’s terms of service. Google eventually blocked the app.
Whether Google will take similar action now remains to be seen. But for now, Microsoft Edge Canary on Android offers a workaround that lets users enjoy background playback and fewer ads – features typically locked behind a paywall.
Final Thoughts
While the feature is still in Canary (experimental) stage, it’s already raising questions about how browser capabilities could disrupt platform monetization models. If you’re tired of YouTube ads and want background playback without the monthly fee, this might be worth testing.
⚠️ Reminder: Edge Canary is a testing build and may be unstable. Use at your own discretion.
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