Experiencing random YouTube playback on your iPhone after the iOS 18.1 update? This guide offers quick fixes.

Why does this happen?

iOS 18.1 may have altered background app behavior, autoplay settings, or introduced bugs affecting YouTube. These glitches often appear while using other apps or after unlocking your iPhone. See Apple iOS Shipments to Rebound in 2025, Outpacing Android for more on iOS updates.

Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Disable Background App Refresh: This prevents YouTube from updating content in the background, a potential trigger for random playback. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Toggle YouTube off.
  2. Adjust Autoplay Settings: Ensure autoplay is disabled in the YouTube app settings to prevent automatic video starts.
  3. Update the YouTube App: An outdated app may have compatibility issues with iOS 18.1. Update via the App Store.
  4. Check Premium Settings: If you have YouTube Premium, temporarily disable background playback and downloads to see if they are causing the problem.
  5. Clear YouTube App Cache: Corrupted cache data can cause playback errors. Clear the watch history within the app's settings.
  6. Factory Reset (Last Resort): If other steps fail, a factory reset can resolve underlying system glitches. Remember to back up your data first.

For persistent issues, contact YouTube Help. If you're interested in other tech news, check out FTC Raises Concerns About Smart Device Update Policies.

For more app-related information, see Bluesky's Public API Raises Data Privacy Concerns.