YouTube Music will launch free background listening starting in Canada

One of YouTube Music's most vexing restrictions is being lifted — but only in Canada. Customers in Canada will be able to listen to their music in the background while doing other chores on their phone or when the screen is off starting November 3rd, according to YouTube.

Both the normal ad-supported, personalized radio mixes and any uploaded content you've added to your account will support background listening.

This is the first time YouTube Music has made the feature available without asking customers to upgrade to a Premium subscription. When it comes to when listeners in other countries might expect the same convenience, YouTube just says to “stay tuned for additional information and growth plans” for the time being.

YouTube Music's competitors, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Tidal, and others, all offer free background listening, therefore this is an area where YouTube falls behind its competitors. That expansion, perhaps, will begin soon.