YouTube Premium's main benefits are ad-free videos, background play, downloads to watch offline and the YouTube Music app without ads. YouTube Help also lists smaller perks most members never find: 1080p Premium, 256 kbps audio on music videos, Jump ahead, auto speed, continue watching, on-the-go mode, a smarter queue and Premium badges.
Most people sign up for the first two and never touch the rest. That's a shame, because a few of the lesser-known benefits are where Premium earns its keep if you watch a lot. Here's every benefit YouTube lists, what it does, and where to switch it on.
The core YouTube Premium benefits
| Benefit | What it does | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| Ad-free videos | No ads before or during videos, and no third-party banner or search ads | All devices with YouTube, including smart TVs and consoles |
| Background play | Videos keep playing when you leave the app or lock the screen | YouTube, YouTube Music and YouTube Kids mobile apps |
| Downloads | Save videos and playlists to watch offline | Mobile apps |
| Smart Downloads | Recommended videos download automatically | Mobile apps |
| YouTube Music Premium | Ad-free, offline and background music in the YouTube Music app | YouTube Music app |
One honest caveat on ad-free: YouTube Help says you can still see branding or promotions the creator builds into a video, plus links, shelves and features the creator adds. Ads may also appear on Primetime Channels and during live events such as sport.
Background play settings
Background play is on by default, but you can change it. In the YouTube app go to Settings, then Background Play under Background & Downloads, and choose:
- Always on, the default.
- Off, so videos never play in the background.
- Headphones or external speakers, so it only happens when audio goes to an external device.
Background play isn't available in the Shorts player.
The perks most members miss
- 1080p Premium. An enhanced bitrate version of 1080p. It only appears on videos uploaded in 1080p, and never on live streams or Shorts.
- Higher-quality audio. Music videos and Art Tracks can play at 256 kbps, as long as the original upload was that quality. Set it under Settings, Quality, Audio quality.
- Jump ahead. Skips to the point most viewers fast forward to. On a computer, double-click to fast forward or use Ctrl and the right arrow on Windows, Option and the right arrow on a Mac. More in my Jump ahead guide.
- Auto speed. Adjusts playback speed during slow parts. YouTube says it's currently only in English, for Premium members on the Android app.
- Continue watching. Saves your spot so you can pick up a video on another device.
- On-the-go mode. Bigger listening controls on Android when YouTube detects at least 60 seconds of walking or running motion.
- Picture-in-picture for music. Picture-in-picture on non-music videos is free for everyone, but on music content such as official music videos it's a Premium benefit.
- Queue suggestions. On Android, recommended videos can be added straight to your queue.
Where to see all your benefits
YouTube has a Your Premium benefits page that lists your perks, shows usage stats such as hours watched, and surfaces offers. Tap your profile picture in the YouTube app, then Your Premium benefits. YouTube Help says this page can be viewed on a computer or a phone, but not on a tablet.
Scroll down that page and you'll also find Premium badges, earned through tenure and using benefits such as YouTube Music or continue watching. Two catches: pausing watch history stops you earning some badges, and resetting it removes ones you've earned.
What YouTube Premium doesn't include
YouTube Help is clear that these aren't part of Premium or Music Premium:
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- YouTube TV
- Primetime Channels
- Channel memberships
- NFL Sunday Ticket
Travel matters too. YouTube's travel policy says Premium should be used mainly in the country where you signed up. If you travel to a country without Premium, downloads made before you left stay available offline for 30 days, and if you travel for more than 30 days or move, YouTube may take action on the subscription, such as cancelling it.
My verdict
If you only use Premium to skip ads, you're getting half of it. Turn on 1080p Premium and high-quality audio, try Jump ahead on long videos, set background play to the option that suits you, and use the YouTube Music app you're already paying for. For the plan prices behind all this, see how much YouTube Premium costs, and if downloads fill your phone, read how Smart Downloads work.
Frequently asked questions
What do you get with YouTube Premium?
Ad-free videos, background play, downloads, Smart Downloads and ad-free YouTube Music, plus 1080p Premium, 256 kbps music audio, Jump ahead, auto speed, continue watching, on-the-go mode and Premium badges.
Does YouTube Premium remove all ads?
It removes ads before and during videos and third-party banner and search ads. You may still see promotions creators build into videos, and ads on Primetime Channels or during live events.
Does YouTube Premium include YouTube TV?
No. YouTube Help says YouTube TV, Primetime Channels, channel memberships and NFL Sunday Ticket aren't included in Premium.
Where can I see my YouTube Premium benefits?
In the YouTube app, tap your profile picture and then Your Premium benefits. The page works on a computer or phone, but not on a tablet.
