Xiaomi removed the feature that let users play YouTube videos in the background for free: here’s why

Xiaomi has announced that it is removing a popular feature that allowed users to run Youtube Videos in the background. YouTube Premium users, who pay for ad-free streaming, can play YouTube videos on other applications in picture-in-picture (PIP) mode or without video in the background in audio-only format. However, this Xiaomi feature allowed users to get the same functionality for free. The move comes at a time when YouTube is cracking down on a number of third-party apps and features that potentially affect their number of paying users.

The firm made the announcement through the Telegram channel. Post That it will remove Play video sound with screen off feature. And in the Video Toolbox Turn off screen Feature in game toolbox via over the year updates. While Xiaomi didn’t specify what prompted it to remove these popular features, the post said the move was “due to compliance requirements.”

Notably, this move comes after months of YouTube trying to push more people to subscribe to YouTube Premium. It has attempted to curb the use of ad blockers by slowing down video playback for ad-blocking users and making it much harder to skip ads.

Xiaomi confirmed that this decision will affect all smartphones including MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14, and the newly released HyperOS. Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 ProAnd Xiaomi 12T. Specifically, Xiaomi introduced With its MIUI 12 update in 2021, the feature to support video playback without the screen being active.

A fresh report claimed That YouTube is rolling out PiP mode to non-premium users outside the US. But the company has not confirmed any such move. Paying YouTube Premium subscribers using Xiaomi models affected by native feature removal should still be able to use YouTube videos on PiP or background player mode.