YouTube has announced two major feature updates for its Premium Lite plan in India as well as global markets. According to the company, users of this lower-priced subscription tier will now get background playback and offline download support. Earlier, these options were not available, even though they were among the most requested features. YouTube says the changes will make Premium Lite a better choice for people who want fewer ads and essential playback controls without paying for the full YouTube Premium subscription.
YouTube Premium Lite: New Features
Following the latest update, Premium Lite users in India will now be able to play videos in the background. This means podcasts, interviews, music videos, and long discussions can continue playing even when the screen is turned off or while using another app, as confirmed in the company’s official blog.
In addition, YouTube has enabled offline downloads for Premium Lite subscribers. Users can download videos using Wi-Fi or mobile data and watch them later without an internet connection. The feature will be particularly helpful while travelling or in areas with weak network coverage.
Previously, the Premium Lite plan mainly offered a reduced-ads experience and did not include background playback or download support. Therefore, the addition of these features significantly improves the value of the plan. The rollout will reach users gradually over the next few weeks.
What the Plan Still Does Not Include
However, Premium Lite still does not provide all the benefits of the standard YouTube Premium subscription. For instance, YouTube Music Premium features — such as ad-free music streaming and audio-only playback within the YouTube Music app — will remain exclusive to full Premium subscribers.
Price and Subscription Plans
YouTube has not yet confirmed whether the plan’s price will change after the addition of the new features. Currently, the YouTube Premium Lite subscription in India costs Rs. 89 per month, which is the same as the student tier of the full Premium plan.
Meanwhile, the regular YouTube Premium Individual plan starts at Rs. 149 per month and is also available as an annual subscription priced at Rs. 1,490. The Family plan, which allows up to five additional members, costs Rs. 299 per month, while the two-member plan is available for Rs. 219 per month.