YouTube TV update sparks frustration by removing background play from less powerful devices
Android Police 2026-06-18 20:08:33
Context: YouTube TV has recently updated its service, affecting users with older and less powerful devices, particularly smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku. The update removed the background play feature, which allowed videos to continue playing when users navigated away from the video. This change has sparked frustration among users who had grown accustomed to this feature.
Key Facts
- YouTube TV has removed background playback support on older and less powerful devices and smart TVs, affecting users who had previously enjoyed this feature.
- A "Diamond Product Expert" on the YouTube TV Help page stated that the update was made to prevent crashing and create a more seamless experience for these devices.
- The removal of background playback appears to be particularly prevalent on Roku devices, although it may also affect other brands.
- Users are being advised to upgrade to a newer standalone streaming device to ensure an ideal playback experience and to receive future features.
- The update has been met with negative responses from users, who are upset that a feature they had grown accustomed to has been taken away, even if their device is a few years old.