Music stops when screen goes off

My music stops when my screen goes off

iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Nov 13, 2025 6:41 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 13, 2025 7:51 AM

Is whatever music service you're using paid or free? If you don't pay for a streaming music service, like Apple Music, the music will play as long as the screen is active. It will stop when the screen goes to sleep. If you want this to change, subscribe to the streaming service and this won't happen.

5 replies

Dec 23, 2025 10:42 PM in response to pgb163

It depends on which app or service you’re using.


  • YouTube (free version): Yes, music or videos will stop when the screen goes off or the app is minimized. Continuous background play is only available with a YouTube Premium subscription.
  • Spotify (free version): On mobile, you can still play music with the screen off, but you’ll get ads and limited control. Background playback is included even without Premium.
  • Apple Music / Amazon Music: Both allow background playback with the screen off, even without a subscription — but you need to have purchased or downloaded the tracks. Streaming requires a subscription.
  • Other apps (like local music players): If the music is stored on your device, it will keep playing regardless of the screen state.


So, if your music stops when the screen goes off, it’s most likely because you’re using a service like YouTube without Premium, where background playback is locked behind a subscription.

Music stops when screen goes off

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.