Radio Mode for YouTube™

Replace background YouTube™ videos with more efficient audio, for less distractions.

Radio Mode for YouTube™: Audio Only YouTube Extension

Radio Mode for YouTube™ is a user-friendly Chrome extension designed to aid those who prefer listening to YouTube content without the video aspect. By eliminating the video, this tool can also help reduce the CPU usage, leading to smoother computer performance - and reduced distractions. The extension works seamlessly with HTML5 YouTube player, turning every video in a playlist into an audio track. Note, it doesn't save bandwidth but decreases CPU use and potential distractions significantly.
Install from Chrome Web Store

Extension stats

Users: 1,000+
Rating: 3.95
(44)
Version: 2.0.1 (Last updated: 2015-08-11)
Creation date: 2015-08-10
Risk impact: High risk impact
Risk likelihood:
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • http://*.youtube.com/
  • https://*.youtube.com/
  • tabs
  • storage
Size: 17.16K
URLs: Website

Other platforms

Not available on Android
Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

Radio Mode for YouTube™ removes the video from the page, leaving just the audio, for less distractions.

Ever listen to music on YouTube in the background? Ever see your computer slow down or hear the fans start spinning?

Simply click the Radio icon in the YouTube player to remove the video. If you are playing a playlist, every video will be blanked out automatically.

  • This only works with the HTML5 YouTube player. Videos that are forced to play in Flash, such as VEVO, will not work with the plugin.
  • This does not save on bandwidth, just CPU usage and potential distractions.

Usage based on a single video playing. CPU usage reduced by ~50%.

YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Helps reduce CPU usage
  • Easy to use for listening in the background
  • Works even in YouTube TV
  • Helpful for focus while looking for audio content
  • Useful for older devices or netbooks
Cons
  • Does not save bandwidth
  • Still loads video in the background
  • Does not work with playlists
  • Very buggy and inconsistent
  • Stopped working after recent updates
Most mentioned
  • Not working
  • Still loaded in the video in the background
  • Doesn't save any bandwidth
  • Helps reduce CPU usage
  • Lo único que hace es ocultar la imagen
User reviews
by Matt Smith, 2024-04-01

Do not install this extension, it runs random YT videos in the background, it took me two weeks and a bunch of anti-virus scans to find the culprit. It watches random YT videos from your account in the background making it impossible to identify where the account jeoprdacy is coming from.
by Fahem Ahmed, 2023-06-25

Still loaded in the video in the background, doesnt save any bandwidth, totally defeats the purpose.
by TNS, 2023-05-29
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Radio Mode for YouTube™ requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

Radio Mode for YouTube™ has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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Promo images

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