You're in bed or on the couch, a video is playing on the computer and you need to pause it. Getting up every time is the worst. The good news is there are several ways to pause YouTube on your PC without getting up, and some of them cost nothing.
Here are five options, from the simplest to the most complete, with their pros and cons.
1. RemoteTube: your phone as a YouTube remote
RemoteTube is a free extension for Chrome, Edge, Brave and Opera that turns your phone into a remote built just for YouTube.
How it works: install the extension from the Chrome Web Store, open YouTube on your PC, click the icon and scan the QR code with your phone. The remote opens in your phone's browser.
What you can do: pause and play, skip forward or back with the progress bar, change the volume, mute, search for videos and browse recommendations.
- Pros: nothing to install on your phone, no account, and it works even if your phone isn't on the same Wi-Fi.
- Cons: it only controls YouTube, not the rest of the PC.
2. KDE Connect: free, open-source media control
KDE Connect links your phone with your computer and, among many other features, includes a media control to pause, change tracks and adjust the volume of whatever is playing.
- Pros: free, open source and packed with extras (shared clipboard, notifications, file transfer).
- Cons: you have to install the program on the PC and the app on your phone, and both have to be on the same network. It works best on Android.
3. Unified Remote: your phone as a keyboard and mouse
Unified Remote turns your phone into a mouse, a keyboard and a media remote for your PC.
- Pros: it can control almost anything on the computer.
- Cons: you need to install a server on the PC and the app on your phone, be on the same Wi-Fi, and some features are paid.
4. Remote desktop apps
Chrome Remote Desktop, AnyDesk or TeamViewer show your whole screen on your phone and let you tap it like a mouse.
- Pros: you control absolutely everything.
- Cons: it's overkill for pausing a video. The PC screen looks tiny on your phone, there's lag, and tapping YouTube's buttons is awkward.
5. Wireless keyboard or mouse (and YouTube's shortcuts)
If you have a wireless or Bluetooth keyboard, YouTube's shortcuts save a lot of time:
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| K or space bar | Pause / play |
| J / L | Back / forward 10 seconds |
| Left / right arrow | Back / forward 5 seconds |
| Up / down arrow | Volume up / down |
| M | Mute |
| F | Full screen |
| Shift + N | Next video |
Many keyboards also have media keys (play/pause, volume) that work with YouTube in the browser.
- Pros: instant response and no setup.
- Cons: you have to buy the keyboard and keep it within reach in bed or on the couch.
Quick comparison
| Method | App on your phone? | Software on the PC? | Same Wi-Fi? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RemoteTube | No | Browser extension | No | Free |
| KDE Connect | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free |
| Unified Remote | Yes | Yes (server) | Yes | Free with paid features |
| Remote desktop | Yes | Yes | Depends | Free or paid |
| Wireless keyboard | No | No | Doesn't apply | You have to buy one |
Which one should you pick?
- If you only want to control YouTube: RemoteTube is the quickest to set up and doesn't ask you to install anything on your phone.
- If you want to control the whole PC from your phone: KDE Connect or Unified Remote.
- If you prefer something physical: a wireless keyboard with the shortcuts above.
If your PC is connected to the TV, our guide on using a PC connected to the TV via HDMI may also help.