YouTube Picture-in-Picture Guide: Enable PIP on PC & Mobile

Summary: This comprehensive guide explains exactly how to enable picture-in-picture YouTube on your computer and mobile devices. We’ll also dive into common reasons why YouTube Music picture in picture might stop working and provide practical fixes to get it running again. Whether you’re on a PC, iPhone, or Android, you’ll learn the steps to multitask with your favorite videos.

Ever wanted to keep a YouTube tutorial visible while writing an email, or watch a music video while scrolling through social media? That’s the magic of Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode. It lets a video play in a small, movable window that stays on top of other applications. However, figuring out how to PIP YouTube can sometimes be confusing, and the feature doesn’t always cooperate. Let’s break down everything you need to know.

How to Enable Picture-in-Picture on YouTube for PC

Using YouTube on a desktop or laptop browser is one of the easiest ways to access the picture-in-picture YouTube feature. There are a couple of straightforward methods, depending on whether you want to use YouTube’s own tool or your browser’s built-in capability.

Use the YouTube Miniplayer for Picture-in-Picture

The most direct method to enable picture-in-picture YouTube viewing is through YouTube’s own miniplayer. This is built right into the website’s video player.

Step 1: Open your preferred web browser (like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) and go to the YouTube website. Find and start playing any video.

Step 2: Look at the bottom right corner of the video player. Among the control icons, you’ll see a small rectangle with an arrow pointing diagonally. This is the “miniplayer” button. Click it.

Step 3: The video will instantly detach from the YouTube page and transform into a small, floating window. You can now drag this window anywhere on your screen, resize it, and keep it on top of other windows while you work.

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Use Your Browser’s Built-in Picture-in-Picture

Most modern browsers have a native picture-in-picture feature that works on many video sites, including YouTube. This method gives you more control and sometimes works even if YouTube’s miniplayer button is missing.

For Chrome, Edge, or Opera:

1. Right-click on the YouTube video twice. The first right-click will bring up YouTube’s own context menu. Click away, then right-click on the video again.
2. From the second context menu, select “Picture in Picture”. The video will pop out into a floating window.

For Firefox or Safari:

1. Right-click (or Ctrl+click on Mac) directly on the video.
2. Look for and select the “Picture in Picture” option from the menu.

Alternatively, in many browsers, you can also look for a small PIP icon in the address bar, next to the sound icon for the tab, and click it to activate picture-in-picture for the entire tab.

How to Enable Picture-in-Picture on YouTube for Android

The process on Android can vary depending on your device and the YouTube app version. Here are the most common methods.

For Most Android Devices (Using Gesture Navigation)

1. Start playing a video in the YouTube app.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go to your home screen or switch to another app. The video should automatically shrink into a small PIP window in the corner.
3. If it doesn’t work automatically, check your settings (see troubleshooting section below).

Using the Home Button

1. While a video is playing, simply press the square or overview button (the button to the right of your home button) to see all open apps.
2. The YouTube video should now be in a PIP window. You can then go to your home screen or another app, and the PIP window will remain.

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Enable from Within the YouTube App

1. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the YouTube app.
2. Go to Settings > General.
3. Toggle on “Picture-in-Picture”.

How to Enable Picture-in-Picture on YouTube for iPhone/iPad

On iOS and iPadOS, Picture-in-Picture is a system-wide feature.

1. Start playing a video in the YouTube app (or Safari browser).
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go to the Home Screen, or swipe to another app. The video should automatically minimize to a PIP window in the corner.
3. You can drag the window to any corner, tap it to show playback controls, or pinch to resize (on iPad).
4. To close the PIP window, drag it to the bottom edge of the screen.

Note: For YouTube in Safari, PIP works seamlessly. For the YouTube app, ensure PiP is enabled in your iPhone/iPad settings: Go to Settings > General > Picture in Picture, and make sure “Start PiP Automatically” is turned on.

Why YouTube Picture-in-Picture Is Not Working and How to Fix It

Sometimes, the PIP feature might be unavailable or stop working. Here are common reasons and fixes:

1. PIP is Disabled in Settings:

• Android: Open the YouTube app, go to Settings > General, and ensure “Picture-in-Picture” is toggled ON.
• iPhone: Go to your device’s Settings > General > Picture in Picture and ensure it’s enabled.
• Browser: For browser PIP, check flags (chrome://flags) or extension conflicts.

2. You’re Using an Ad Blocker or Certain Browser Extensions: Some extensions can interfere with YouTube’s player. Try disabling them temporarily or using YouTube in an incognito/private window.

3. The Video Content Doesn’t Allow PIP: Some content owners disable PIP for their videos, especially music videos or premium content. Try a different video to test.

4. Outdated App or Browser: Ensure your YouTube app, browser, and device operating system are updated to the latest version.

5. You’re Not a YouTube Premium Member (for Music): YouTube Music Picture in Picture is a feature primarily reserved for YouTube Premium subscribers on mobile devices. If PIP isn’t working for YouTube Music, check your subscription status.

6. Background Play is Restricted (Android): On some Android devices, check Settings > Apps > YouTube > Battery and ensure background activity is not restricted. Set it to “Unrestricted” for best results.

By following this guide, you should be able to enjoy picture-in-picture YouTube on any device and solve most common issues that prevent this handy feature from working. Happy multitasking