It's not so much that they're blocked, they just don't work because ios Firefox is actually safari. It's the same with all browsers on iphones, they're all safari.

Apple only allows different browser engines in the European Union, but even there they came up with enough requirements that they aren't allowed in practice:

https://developer.apple.com/support/alternative-browser-engines/

And there's the worm in your Apple.

Video Lite works fine for me on iPhone. It even gives me youtube audio with locked screen.

Try Brave; they’re a shit company but the iPhone version gives you back some of the YouTube perks.

I'm not the person you asked, and I don't care if you buy YT premium, but Firefox mobile can play background videos, the only finicky thing is it pauses when you turn your screen off, but you can press play on your lockscreen to start it again.

I use smarttube next on my television.

For music, I personally do Qobuz because they pay marginally better than Spotify (albeit still not a ton.)

Chuckles, yeah buddy there was this adVanced app the I had to REinstall it. Paying is for suckers.

Brave plays them in the background without ads. I don't ever cast youtube, no philosophical reason, I just don't feel the need to.

I use Amazon music for music, just because I'm too lazy to move services.

I refuse to contribute to Google in any way, shape, or form. But I understand your choice, and I know how hypocritical this sounds after I just said I have Amazon music. But the world is highly imperfect and so am I.

Firefox, Video Background Play Fix addon, works like a charm.

New pipe, smart tube, vanced, etc etc. there are about 15 options before I would pay even 1 extra dollar to Google. Every TV manufacturer seems to still have a working option.

If none of those work, I can honestly just do without.

Yep. However, it's somewhat inconsistent. YT doesn't want you to be able to but it does work, for now.

Use smart tube apk on your tv if you have an android device doing video, or if your tv supports apk installation from usb. Nvidea shield or similar works amazing.

You sound like someone that thinks weed turns you into a murder chicken.