Microsoft Edge is gaining a nifty feature that could save users a subscription fee: background video playback. Now, videos on platforms like YouTube can continue playing even when the tab is minimized, a capability usually reserved for YouTube Premium subscribers.
What makes it even more attractive is Edge’s built-in ad blocking. Turn on the ad blocker and you can watch videos in the background completely ad-free. This feature was first spotted in Edge Canary, Microsoft’s cutting-edge testing version of Edge, which can be unstable but lets you try new functionality early.
Here’s how to activate it: enable the ad blocker via Settings > Site settings > Block ads, then go to edge://flags, search for Video Background Play, enable it, and restart the browser. Now, you can enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted viewing experience without subscribing to YouTube Premium.
Keep in mind, however, that this setup doesn’t replicate all Premium perks, such as offline downloads or YouTube Music access. Still, it’s a clever way to bypass some limitations. Other browsers like Brave and Samsung Internet already offer background playback, but combining it with ad blocking in Edge is a particularly potent combination.
Remember: YouTube creators earn their living from ads. Even if you use this trick, supporting your favorite channels through memberships, donations, or viewing ads ensures they can keep creating content.