music streaming platform Youtube Music continues to work to address some of the hurdles users face while streaming. Google Cast support recently rolled out and now a very special feature is coming that you had to pay for before: playing music in the background.

One of the advantages of YouTube Premium is that music and videos can be played in the background, which is normally not possible and pauses the stream without further tricks. However, especially with music, it’s normal that you don’t want to keep the player in front of your eyes all the time and just let yourself bathe. This restriction makes sense as long as YouTube (music) is financed by advertising and of course it should be seen and heard.

This update will allow people to continue listening to YouTube Music while using other apps or when your screen is off. Within it, you can connect with the YouTube Music app through an exciting ad-supported, radio-like experience that features the artists, songs, and albums you love, as well as personalized mixes on Shuffle—all to YouTube Music. Without the hassle of keeping the app open on your device.

Canadian users are now able to play music in the background without such a subscription. The ad will certainly be present, and it is assumed that users who are listening to the music will also be listening to the ad. If the test is successful in Canada, it can certainly be rolled out globally. There will be a strong update to YouTube Music, but also a less important reason to subscribe for the platform.

» YouTube Music: Google Cast support will be rolled out to desktop users first (screenshot)

» Android 12 and Content You: New homescreen widgets coming to YouTube Music (screenshot)

[9to5Google]