Remember that notification? “YouTube Premium is now ₹299/month.”
Yeah, I almost threw my phone.
₹299 is insane. That’s a week’s meal budget for most students. For young professionals starting out, it’s basically half your weekend fund gone.
But here’s the thing – you don’t need to pay. I’ve been using two methods for months now. They’re completely legal, give you ad-free experience, and let you play music in the background.
Let me show you how.
Method 1: The Quick Fix – Brave Browser
Why this works: Brave is a normal browser, but it has a built-in ad blocker. Plus, it can play YouTube videos in the background while you use other apps.
No shady apps. No complicated setup. Just install and go.
How to Set It Up:
• Download Brave Browser from Play Store (it’s free and official)
• Open youtube.com inside Brave (don’t use the YouTube app)
• Enable background play: Go to Brave Settings → Media→ “Background video playback” → Turn it ON
That’s it. Now play any video, minimize Brave, and it keeps playing.
Bonus: No ads. Not a single one. Brave blocks everything automatically.
Method 2: The Power User Choice – NewPipe
If Brave feels too basic, NewPipe is your next step.
It’s an open-source app. That means the code is public. Experts have checked it. It’s safe.
But Google won’t put it on Play Store because it blocks their ad revenue. So you have to download it manually.
How to Get NewPipe:
Step 1: Open your browser and go to newpipe.net (official site)
Step 2: Download the latest APK file
Step 3: Install it (Android will warn you – just tap “Install Anyway”)
Why NewPipe is Amazing:
No ads ever. Not even those annoying mid-roll interruptions.
Background play built-in. Works the moment you install.
Download videos for offline watching (super useful for daily commutes).
No Google account needed. So zero risk of getting banned.
NewPipe doesn’t log in to your YouTube account. It just pulls videos from YouTube’s public feed. Think of it like watching YouTube without signing in, but with extra features.
Quick Comparison: What Should You Choose?
| Feature | YouTube Premium | Brave Browser | NewPipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹299/month | Free | Free |
| Ads | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked |
| Background Play | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Downloads | Yes | No | Yes |
| Needs Google Account | Yes | Optional | No |
My take: Start with Brave if you want zero hassle. Switch to NewPipe if you want downloads and more control.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Is using NewPipe legal?
Yes, completely legal.
NewPipe doesn’t hack anything. It just uses YouTube’s public API (the same way your browser accesses YouTube). You’re not stealing content. You’re just watching it through a different window.
It’s like using Firefox instead of Chrome. Different tool, same internet.
Will my YouTube account get banned?
No, because you don’t even log in.
NewPipe doesn’t connect to your Google account. You can’t like videos or comment. It’s purely for watching and listening.
So there’s zero risk of a ban. Google can’t ban an account that isn’t being used.
You can also know about – How to Delete Pinterest Account?
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Money for Data Packs
Look, YouTube Premium has good features. But ₹299 is robbery for students and young professionals.
Use that money for extra data. Or save it for a weekend movie. Or just keep it in your pocket.
Brave and NewPipe give you 90% of what Premium offers. For free. Legally.
Try Brave first. If you like it, stick with it. If you want more features, grab NewPipe.
Either way, you’re saving ₹3,588 every year. That’s a new phone budget right there.
