These features have increased the appeal of low-cost YouTube subscriptions.
YouTube has announced one of the most anticipated updates to its paid subscription service. Nearly a year after launching Premium Lite, the tech behemoth has added two new features that make the subscription more affordable for many. Starting today, users can download videos and enable background playback, features previously only available to Premium subscribers.
According to a post on the YouTube blog , these features will be rolled out gradually starting today. The company noted that downloads and background playback were the most requested features from users. YouTube responded to this demand by expanding its Premium Lite program to more countries.
Aside from ads, downloads, and background playback are among the most important features of a paid YouTube subscription. When Premium Lite was announced in early March 2025, the move was widely welcomed. After all, the subscription price was less than half that of Premium, and it also removed an add-on that few, if any, used: YouTube Music.
The problem with Premium Lite is that most users watch YouTube videos on their mobile devices. The lack of options to download videos while traveling or listen to podcasts while exercising has forced users to seek alternatives. The good news is that this is about to change, starting today.
YouTube's support site explains that the download and background playback features will be rolled out gradually over the next few weeks. If these features aren't available in your country yet, don't worry; they're on their way. However, you should first check if YouTube Premium Lite is available as a subscription in your region.
According to the official listing, YouTube Premium Lite is offered in Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, and other countries in Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Subscription prices vary by location.
In addition to downloads and background playback, the Premium Lite plan lets you watch videos without ads in most categories. These categories include gaming, fashion, beauty, news, and more. You can also download content and watch it offline or with the screen off. These features do not apply to short videos, music videos, or other parts of the user interface where ads will appear.
Please also note that the Premium Lite plan does not provide access to additional YouTube features, such as resume playback, fast forward, adding videos to a queue, or high-quality audio and video options. These features are exclusive to the higher-priced subscription.