YouTube is upgrading its cheaper Premium Lite plan with features previously only available to subscribers of the full Premium plan.
In 2025, YouTube launched Premium Lite, a lower-cost subscription option that let people watch videos without ads.
For $7.99 a month, this plan removes most ads, but you’ll still see them on music videos, Shorts, and while searching or browsing.
Previously, the Lite version of the app lacked features available in the full Premium version, like offline video downloads and background playback. However, as of February 24th, those features have been added.
YouTube improves Premium Lite subscription after user feedback
According to YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, the new features will be coming to Lite over the coming weeks.
He announced that subscribers will soon be able to watch most videos without an internet connection, play them in the background while using other apps, and enjoy them without ads. He added that they’re happy to offer subscribers more control over how they experience YouTube.
We’re rolling out some improvements to YouTube Premium Lite over the next few weeks. Soon, you’ll be able to download most videos for offline viewing, play videos in the background, and enjoy most content without ads. We’re happy to offer our subscribers more ways to enjoy YouTube!
— Neal Mohan (@nealmohan) February 24, 2026
According to TechCrunch, YouTube added these features based on what users asked for, hoping to make the platform more appealing.
Similar to ads with Premium Lite, Shorts and music aren’t affected by this change. Downloading them or playing them in the background still requires a $13.99 Premium subscription.
Lite also continues to lack certain features, including the ability to resume watching content, skip ahead, create playlists, and enjoy high-quality sound and video.
YouTube is slowly adding features like background playback and downloads for all Premium Lite subscribers over the next few weeks.
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2026-02-25 02:18