Xiaomi has introduced that it’s eradicating a well-liked characteristic which allowed customers to run YouTube movies within the background. YouTube Premium customers, who pay for ad-free streaming, can play YouTube movies over different functions in a picture-in-picture (PiP) mode or simply the audio within the background with out the video. Nonetheless, this Xiaomi characteristic allowed customers to realize the identical performance free of charge. This transfer comes at a time when YouTube is cracking down on a number of third-party apps and options which presumably have an effect on their paying person rely.

The agency introduced through a Telegram channel post that it’s going to take away the Play video sound with display off characteristic within the Video toolbox and the Flip-off display characteristic within the Sport toolbox through over-the-air updates. Though Xiaomi doesn’t specify what compelled it to take away these in style options, the publish states that the transfer is “as a consequence of compliance necessities.”

Notably, the motion comes months after YouTube has been attempting to push extra folks in direction of subscribing to YouTube Premium. It has tried to curb the usage of advert blockers by slowing down video playback velocity for customers with advert blockers and making skipping advertisements considerably more durable.

Xiaomi confirmed that this determination will have an effect on all smartphones working MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14, and the newly launched HyperOS, together with Xiaomi 14,  Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Xiaomi 12T. Notably, Xiaomi introduced the characteristic to help video playback with out the display being energetic with its MIUI 12 replace in 2021.

A current report claimed that YouTube could also be rolling out PiP mode for non-Premium customers exterior the US. However the firm has not confirmed any such strikes. Paying YouTube Premium subscribers utilizing the Xiaomi fashions affected by the native characteristic elimination, ought to nonetheless be capable of use YouTube movies on PiP or background participant mode.