Picture-in-picture mode lets you minimize YouTube videos into a floating window so you can multitask while watching. This guide will show you how to enable and use picture-in-picture mode on Android, iPhone, iPad, and desktop computers.

Before you start: If you live outside of the US, you must have an active YouTube Premium subscription to use picture-in-picture. Ensure you are signed in to your YouTube account on all devices.
Warning: Disabling system-level permissions for YouTube on mobile devices will prevent the mini player from working correctly.

A guide to using YouTube picture-in-picture mode

Follow these simple methods to enable the feature in your device settings and the YouTube app, then start playing a video.

Method 1: Using Android

  • Enable system-level permissions: Open your device Settings, select Apps & notifications, tap Advanced, and choose Special app access.
  • Select Picture-in-picture, find YouTube, and toggle the switch to Allow.
  • Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
  • Tap the gear icon (⚙️) to open Settings, select Playback, and toggle on Picture-in-picture.
  • Play any video, then press the Home button or switch to another app to trigger the mini player.
  • To move the screen, tap and drag it elsewhere; to close it, tap the X.

Method 2: Using iPhone or iPad

  • Open your device Settings app and tap General.
  • Select Picture in Picture and toggle on Start PiP Automatically.
  • Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
  • Tap the gear icon (⚙️) to open Settings, select Playback, and toggle on Picture-in-picture.
  • Play a video, then swipe up from the bottom or press the Home button to switch to the home screen.
  • The video will appear in a floating window; tap and drag to move it, or tap the X to close.

Method 3: Using Desktop

  • OpenYouTube in any web browser and start playing a video.
  • Hover your cursor over the video player to reveal the control bar.
  • Click the picture-in-picture icon (a square with an arrow pointing to a smaller square) in the bottom right corner.
  • The video will open in a floating window; click and drag the video to move it around your screen.
  • To resize the window, drag one of the corners outward or inward.
  • Hover over the window and click the X to close picture-in-picture mode.
Pro tip: You can use the standard video playback controls within the PiP window, including play, pause, and skip, just like in the main player.

Using picture-in-picture mode significantly boosts productivity by allowing you to reference video content while working in other applications. You can watch tutorials, follow recipes, or catch up on live streams without keeping the YouTube tab or app constantly in the foreground.

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This feature is essential for multitasking on smaller screens where space is limited. Whether you are replying to emails on your phone or browsing documents on your desktop, the floating video ensures you never miss a moment while navigating your device.