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As an iPhone user, there might be a situation where you want to lock your iPhone screen while watching a video on YouTube. Maybe you want to save battery life or avoid accidentally tapping on the screen and pausing the video. Whatever the reason may be, learning how to lock the screen while watching a YouTube video on your iPhone 14 is a useful skill to have. With our guide, you’ll learn several methods for locking your screen so you can watch your favorite videos uninterrupted.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Lock Screen on iPhone 14 While Watching YouTube
There are a variety of reasons why you might want to lock your screen while watching YouTube. For one, it can help prevent accidental pauses or other interruptions if you accidentally tap the screen or adjust your phone incorrectly. Additionally, locking your screen can help you save battery life since the screen won’t be lighting up continuously and using up energy. If you’re someone who watches a lot of videos on YouTube, knowing how to lock your screen while still watching the video can make life easier.
Method 1: Via AssistiveTouch
AssistiveTouch is an accessibility feature of iOS that allows you to use your device with one hand. It adds an on-screen menu that you can tap instead of using the physical buttons on your device.
Steps:
1. Open Settings on your iPhone 14 and go to Accessibility.
2. Scroll down to AssistiveTouch and turn it on.
3. Tap Customize Top Level Menu and tap the plus sign to add a new icon.
4. Choose "Lock Screen" from the list of actions.
5. Open the YouTube app and start playing the video you want to watch.
6. Tap the AssistiveTouch button on your screen to bring up the menu, and tap the Lock Screen icon.
7. Your screen should now be locked, but the video will continue playing in the background.
Pros:
– You don’t have to use the physical buttons on your device, which can save wear and tear over time.
– AssistiveTouch is easy to access and can be customized to include other frequently used actions besides Lock Screen.
Cons:
– AssistiveTouch can take up screen real estate and might be uncomfortable using for a long time.
Method 2: Enable Guided Access
Guided Access is another iOS accessibility feature that restricts your device to a single app and can be used to lock your screen while watching YouTube.
Steps:
1. Open Settings on your iPhone 14 and go to Accessibility.
2. Scroll down to Guided Access and turn it on.
3. Open the YouTube app and start playing the video you want to watch.
4. Triple-click the Side button (or Home button, depending on your device) to bring up the Guided Access menu.
5. Use the options at the bottom of the screen to fine-tune your settings (like disabling parts of the screen or specific buttons).
6. Tap Start in the top-right corner when you’re ready.
7. Your screen should now be locked, and the video will continue playing.
Pros:
– Guided Access can be customized to restrict access to specific parts of your device, which can be helpful if you want to let someone else use your phone without giving them complete access.
– It’s easy to turn on and off with just a few taps.
Cons:
– Guided Access may not be ideal if you want complete control over your phone while watching the YouTube video – since it restricts access to certain features, you might not be able to do things like adjust the volume or brightness.
Method 3: Using YouTube Premium
If you have a subscription to YouTube Premium, you can take advantage of its picture-in-picture feature to lock your screen and continue watching your video.
Steps:
1. Open the YouTube app and start playing the video you want to watch.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go to the home screen.
3. Swipe up again to bring up the app switcher.
4. Swipe right until you find the YouTube app and drag it to the right-hand side of the screen.
5. Your video should now be playing in a small window, which you can move around the screen.
6. Tap the Home button to go to the home screen.
7. Use other apps or lock your screen while your video continues playing.
Pros:
– Picture-in-picture is a feature included with YouTube Premium, so you don’t need to download any additional apps or tweak any settings to make it work.
– You can customize the size and position of the video window on your screen to suit your preferences.
Cons:
– If you don’t have YouTube Premium, you’ll need to pay for a subscription to take advantage of this feature.
– Picture-in-picture might not be the best option for users who want a completely uninterrupted viewing experience, since the video will still be playing in a small window on your screen.
What to Do If You Can’t Lock Screen on iPhone 14 While Watching YouTube
If you’re having trouble locking your screen while watching YouTube videos on your iPhone 14, there are a few potential fixes you can try.
1. Restart Your Device: Sometimes, simply rebooting your iPhone 14 can resolve technical issues like this.
2. Update Your YouTube App: Make sure that you’re running the latest version of the YouTube app. Check the App Store to see if updates are available for download.
3. Disable Siri Suggestions: Siri Suggestions are a feature that tries to predict which apps or features you’ll need next based on your usage patterns. This can sometimes interfere with locking your screen on YouTube. Go to Settings > Siri & Search > Suggestions in Search and turn off the "Suggestions on Lock Screen" option.
Bonus Tip
If you find it difficult to watch videos on your iPhone because of the small screen size, you can invest in a screen magnifier or projector to enhance your viewing experience.
5 FAQs
Q1: How can I exit Guided Access?
A: You can exit Guided Access by triple-clicking on the Side or Home button and entering your passcode.
Q2: Can I watch YouTube videos with the screen locked without any additional software?
A: Unfortunately, no. You’ll need to use one of the methods we’ve outlined in this guide to lock your screen and keep your video playing.
Q3: Will the audio continue playing if I lock my screen?
A: Yes. When you lock your screen using any of the methods we’ve outlined, the audio will continue playing even though the video is not visible on your screen.
Q4: Can I still receive notifications while watching a locked video?
A: Yes. You’ll still receive notifications on your iPhone while watching a locked video. However, they won’t appear on screen, and you’ll need to unlock your device to access them.
Q5: Will locking the screen affect my YouTube video’s quality?
A: No. Locking your screen won’t affect the quality of your YouTube video in any way.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to lock your screen while watching YouTube videos can be incredibly helpful for users of all kinds. Whether you’re trying to save battery life or just want to avoid accidental pauses, the methods we’ve outlined in this guide can help you achieve your goals. Experiment with each of the methods and see which one works best for you, and don’t forget to try out our bonus tip for improving your overall video-watching experience on your iPhone 14.