New Delhi: YouTube has recently started rolling out its background play and offline downloads to its Premium Lite plan subscribers in India. This update enables users on the lower-cost plan to download videos for offline streaming and continue to listen to videos even when their device screen is locked or when they switch to another application.
This latest feature is being rolled out gradually, and it will going to reach all Indian Premium Lite subscribers in the coming weeks. The plan costs Rs 89 per month and offers ad-free viewing for most videos on the platform. It also works across multiple devices, including smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs.
This recent update comes shortly after YouTube restricted browser-based workarounds that enable several users to play videos in the background without paying for the subscription. Premium Lite users will also get the offline downloads and background play, which has been started recently and will continue over the coming weeks.
Background play lets users continue listening to the video’s audio even when they switch to another application or lock their phone screen. Offline downloads will enable users to save videos on their devices so they can watch them later without an internet connection.
YouTube has also stated that last year it extended the Premium Lite pilot to more markets and received feedback from users asking for features such as background play and downloads. It has ad-free viewing features, downloads, and background play, which will work on most videos but not all content.
The benefits now mainly apply to non-music videos, and it also excludes Shorts. YouTube has also stated that users who want a completely ad-free experience, including music content and access to YouTube Music Premium, will need to subscribe to the standard YouTube Premium plan.
