Play YouTube Video In Background by Labinator

A Firefox extension that prevents YouTube and Vimeo from pausing videos when the browser is in the background, minimized, or when switching tabs.
Especially useful on 📱 Android devices, where background playback is often restricted.

🎯 What This Extension Does

This add-on ensures videos keep playing even when the page loses focus. No more interruptions when you:

• Switch tabs
• Minimize Firefox
• Lock your screen (mobile)

Perfect for 🎵 music, 🎙️ podcasts, 📚 lectures, and other audio-first content.

✨ Key Features

• 🎧 True Background Playback
  Forces YouTube and Vimeo to continue playing even when the tab is inactive.
• 👁️ Page Visibility API Override
  Reports the page as always visible (document.hidden === false).
• 📱 Mobile-First Support
  Includes Android & iOS Firefox logic with MediaSession API integration.
• 🔄 Automatic Video Recovery
  Resumes playback if paused due to browser suspension or tab changes.
• ⚡ Lightweight & Efficient
  Minimal performance and battery impact.

🛠️ How It Works

The extension uses a lightweight content script that overrides the
Page Visibility API.

🔧 Core Mechanisms

1. Visibility Override
   Intercepts visibility checks and always reports the page as active and visible.
2. Event Suppression
   Prevents visibilitychange events from reaching the video player.
3. MediaSession Integration (Mobile)
   Ensures playback remains active in the system media controls and notification shade.

🎮 How to Use

1. Install the extension
2. Open YouTube or Vimeo (desktop or mobile)
3. Start a video
4. Switch tabs or minimize Firefox

🎉 The video/audio will continue playing in the background.

✅ How to Verify It’s Working

1. Play a video.
2. Switch tabs or minimize Firefox.
3. 💻 Desktop: The tab will show the “playing audio” 🔊 icon
4. 📱 Android: Firefox’s media playback notification remains visible and audio continues

🧩 Troubleshooting

If playback still pauses:

1. 🧩 Check extension status
2. Visit about:addons and confirm it’s enabled
3. 🌐 Verify supported sites
4. Works only on YouTube and Vimeo
5. 🔄 Reload the page
6. Required after first install
7. 🧪 Check the console
8. Press F12 and look for extension errors
9. 🦊 Firefox version
10. Requires Firefox 147.0 or later

⚠️ Known Limitations

• 💻 Desktop YouTube
  Background playback often works natively; this extension mainly benefits mobile users.
• ⏸️ Timeout Prompts
  Does not block YouTube’s “Are you still watching?” dialog.
• 🧩 Firefox forks
  May not work on forks lacking wrappedJSObject support.
• 🛑 Extension Conflicts
  Some ad blockers or privacy tools may interfere.

🔐 Permissions & Privacy

Required Permissions:

• *://*.youtube.com/*
• *://*.youtube-nocookie.com/*
• *://*.vimeo.com/*

These permissions are strictly necessary to inject the content script that overrides the Page Visibility API on supported sites.

🔒 Privacy Guarantee

• No data collection
• No tracking or analytics
• No external network requests
• All logic runs locally in your browser

🧑‍💻 Support & Source

• 🐞 Report Issues:
  https://github.com/LabinatorSolutions/play-youtube-video-in-background/issues
• 📦 Source Code:
  https://github.com/LabinatorSolutions/play-youtube-video-in-background

📜 Disclaimer

This extension is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to YouTube, Vimeo, Google, or Mozilla.

It respects platform terms by:

• ❌ Not downloading or modifying video content
• ✅ Only ensuring the browser reports an “active” page state

Use responsibly and in accordance with the terms of supported platforms.

👨🏻‍🔬 Credits

Developed by Labinator.