Fix YouTube Picture-in-Picture Not Working on Any Device

Are you frustrated because your YouTube picture in picture not working? You’re not alone. Many users across different devices encounter this problem where the handy PiP feature suddenly stops functioning. Whether you’re trying to multitask while watching your favorite content or simply want to keep an eye on a video while using other apps, dealing with picture in picture not working can be incredibly annoying.

Before diving into troubleshooting methods, it’s crucial to ensure that YouTube Picture in Picture is actually enabled on your device. The setup process varies between operating systems, so let’s cover the basics first.

For iPhone and iPad users:

Navigate to Settings and select Apps
Tap the More option, then choose Configure Apps
Select Special Access, followed by Picture in Picture
Toggle the switch to enable Picture in Picture specifically for YouTube
Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner
Go to Settings, then General
Activate Picture in Picture

Android device owners should:

Open Settings and select Apps & Notifications
Choose Advanced, then Special App Access
Select Picture in Picture
Tap YouTube and enable Allow Picture in Picture

Now that we’ve confirmed the feature is properly enabled, let’s explore comprehensive solutions for when youtube picture in picture not working becomes a persistent issue.

Table of Contents

Understanding Why YouTube Picture in Picture Not Working Occurs
Solutions for iPhone and iPad Users
Solutions for Android Device Users
Universal Solutions for All Devices
When All Else Fails: Advanced Solutions
Preventing Future Picture in Picture Problems
Conclusion

Understanding Why YouTube Picture in Picture Not Working Occurs

The youtube app picture in picture not working problem can stem from various sources. Sometimes it’s a simple settings misconfiguration, while other times it might involve software glitches, outdated applications, or regional restrictions. The issue affects both iOS and Android users, though the specific causes and solutions might differ between platforms.

When youtube picture in picture not working android complaints arise, they often relate to navigation settings, system updates, or app-specific problems. Meanwhile, iOS users might encounter the picture in picture youtube not working issue due to software bugs, cache problems, or account-related limitations.

Solutions for iPhone and iPad Users

When you’re facing the frustrating situation where youtube picture in picture not working on your Apple device, these methods can help restore functionality.

Clear Device Cache

Over time, iPhones and iPads accumulate temporary files that can interfere with normal operations. Clearing this cache can resolve performance issues, including cases where picture in picture not working persists. If you typically watch YouTube through Safari, here’s how to clear the cache:

Open Settings and scroll to Passwords & Accounts
Select Safari from the list
Tap Clear History and Website Data
Confirm your selection in the pop-up window

This process not only helps with youtube picture in picture not working issues but can also resolve other browser-related problems you might be experiencing.

Clear YouTube Application Cache

The YouTube app maintains its own cache to improve loading times and provide a smoother viewing experience. However, this cache can become corrupted, leading to various issues including the picture in picture youtube not working problem. To clear the YouTube app cache:

Close the YouTube application completely
Open your device’s Settings menu
Scroll until you find the YouTube app and select it
Locate the Clear Cache option and tap it if the toggle appears green

This straightforward process often resolves minor glitches causing youtube app picture in picture not working errors.

Utilize PiP Shortcut Method

If the standard picture in picture not working issue continues, a handy workaround involves using shortcuts:

Download the Scriptable application from the App Store
Obtain the YouTube PiP shortcut from RoutineHub
Access Settings and select Shortcuts
Enable Allow Untrusted Shortcuts by toggling it green
Open the Shortcuts app and choose All Shortcuts
Locate the YouTube PiP shortcut and tap the three dots in the corner
Select the three dots at the top near the shortcut name
Enable Show in Share Sheet by toggling it green
Open YouTube, play a video, tap the Share icon, select More, then choose YouTube PiP
Instead of closing the video, immediately return to your home screen to activate Picture in Picture mode

This method provides an alternative pathway when you’re dealing with persistent youtube picture in picture not working scenarios.

Consider YouTube Premium Subscription

YouTube initially rolled out Picture in Picture functionality to Premium subscribers in the United States before making it more widely available. If you’re experiencing picture in picture youtube not working and aren’t a Premium member, subscribing might immediately resolve the issue. Premium subscribers typically enjoy uninterrupted access to PiP features across iOS devices.

Restart Your Apple Device

The classic “turn it off and on again” approach remains surprisingly effective for many technical issues, including when youtube app picture in picture not working occurs. Here’s the proper way to restart modern iPhones and iPads:

Press and hold either volume button along with the side button until the power off slider appears
Drag the slider to the right and wait approximately 30 seconds for the device to power down completely
To restart, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears

This simple reset can clear temporary software glitches that might be causing your picture in picture not working dilemma.

Update Your iOS or iPadOS

Running outdated system software can lead to various compatibility issues, including youtube picture in picture not working problems. Ensuring your device has the latest Apple operating system can resolve these conflicts:

Open Settings and select General
Tap Software Update
If an update is available, select Download and Install

Regular updates not only address picture in picture youtube not working issues but also provide security enhancements and new features.

Address System-Level Issues

When you’ve tried everything and youtube picture in picture not working persists, especially on iOS 16, 17, or 18, the problem might stem from deeper system irregularities. This is where specialized tools can help.

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This comprehensive tool addresses system-level problems that could be causing your youtube app picture in picture not working issue, along with many other iOS-related problems.

Solutions for Android Device Users

Android users facing youtube picture in picture not working android issues have several troubleshooting options tailored to their operating system.

Clear Android Device Cache

Like iOS devices, Android phones and tablets accumulate cached data that can sometimes interfere with normal functioning. When youtube picture in picture not working occurs, clearing this cache might help:

Open Settings and select Storage
Choose Device Storage, then Internal Storage
Select Cached Data and tap OK when prompted
Open the Chrome app and tap the three dots in the upper right corner
Go to Settings, scroll down to Privacy under the Advanced section
Select Clear Browsing Data
Choose Cached Images and Files, then tap Clear Data

This process can resolve various performance issues, including android picture in picture not working problems.

Clear YouTube App Cache on Android

The YouTube application on Android also maintains a cache that can become problematic. When youtube picture in picture not working android issues arise, try these steps:

Close the YouTube app completely
Open Settings and navigate to Application Manager or Apps
Find and select the YouTube application
Tap Force Stop and confirm when prompted
Select Storage, then tap Clear Cache
Test if YouTube Picture in Picture now functions properly
If not, repeat steps 1-5, but this time select Clear Data in the Storage section
Confirm when prompted (note that you may need to re-enter your login credentials)
Check again if the picture in picture not working issue is resolved
If problems continue, play a video, tap the Share icon, then return to the video without actually sharing to see if PiP activates

Enable Traditional Three-Button Navigation

Google’s gesture navigation system introduced in Android 10 sometimes conflicts with Picture in Picture functionality. If you’re dealing with android picture in picture not working, reverting to the classic navigation might help:

Open Settings and select System
Choose Gestures, then System Navigation
Enable Three-Button Navigation
Check if this resolves your youtube picture in picture not working issue
If not, play a YouTube video and touch the bottom right screen area to check for PiP activation
As another test, rapidly tap the back button 4-5 times while watching a video to see if the navigation bar minimizes and PiP activates

Use Default Launcher

Third-party launchers can sometimes interfere with system functions like Picture in Picture. When troubleshooting youtube app picture in picture not working on Android, ensure you’re using the stock launcher:

Open Settings and select Apps
Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and choose Default Apps
Select Home and verify that your device’s stock launcher is selected

Restart Your Android Device

As with iOS devices, a simple restart can work wonders when you’re facing youtube picture in picture not working android issues. Press and hold the power button until the restart option appears, then select it to reboot your device.

Update Android System Software

Ensuring your Android operating system is current can resolve many compatibility issues, including picture in picture youtube not working problems:

Open Settings and select About Phone
Tap Check for Updates
If an update is available, select Update
Choose Install and wait for your device to restart

Universal Solutions for All Devices

Some troubleshooting methods work regardless of whether you’re dealing with youtube picture in picture not working on iOS or Android devices.

Alternate Between YouTube App and Browser

If picture in picture not working occurs in the YouTube application, try accessing YouTube through your mobile browser instead. Conversely, if the browser version isn’t working properly, switch to the dedicated app. Sometimes one platform works while the other doesn’t due to temporary glitches.

Utilize Landscape Mode

When portrait mode picture in picture not working happens, try switching to landscape orientation. Some users report that playing videos in landscape mode first, then activating PiP, resolves the issue when youtube picture in picture not working occurs in portrait orientation.

Switch YouTube Accounts

Your specific YouTube account might be causing the picture in picture youtube not working problem due to regional restrictions or account-specific settings. Testing with a different account can help identify if this is the source of the issue:

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture
Select Switch Account and choose a different account
If you haven’t added another account, you’ll need to do so first
Close and restart the YouTube application
Check if Picture in Picture now functions correctly

Utilize VPN Services

YouTube initially limited Picture in Picture functionality to the United States. If you’re outside the US and experiencing youtube picture in picture not working, a VPN might help:

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture
Go to Settings, then General
Select Location and change it to United States
Restart your device and check if PiP works
If not, use a reliable VPN service to connect to a US server and test again

Update or Reinstall YouTube

An outdated or corrupted YouTube application can cause youtube app picture in picture not working issues. Visit your device’s app store to check for available updates. If updating doesn’t resolve the picture in picture not working problem, try uninstalling and reinstalling the YouTube app completely.

When All Else Fails: Advanced Solutions

If you’ve exhausted all standard troubleshooting methods and youtube picture in picture not working persists, consider these additional approaches.

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For persistent system-level issues causing picture in picture youtube not working, a dedicated repair tool can address underlying problems that standard troubleshooting cannot.

Preventing Future Picture in Picture Problems

Once you’ve resolved your current youtube picture in picture not working issue, these practices can help prevent recurrence:

Regularly update your YouTube application and device operating system
Periodically clear cache and data for the YouTube app
Avoid installing questionable third-party applications that might interfere with system functions
Restart your device weekly to clear temporary glitches
Maintain sufficient storage space on your device

Conclusion

Dealing with youtube picture in picture not working can be frustrating, but numerous solutions are available. Whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, methodically working through these troubleshooting steps should resolve most instances of picture in picture not working.

Start with the simplest solutions like restarting your device or clearing cache before moving to more involved methods like system updates or specialized repair tools. Remember that the youtube app picture in picture not working issue sometimes stems from regional restrictions, so a VPN might provide the solution if you’re outside supported areas.

If you’ve tried everything and still face youtube picture in picture not working problems, the issue might require an update from YouTube itself. In such cases, using Picture in Picture on an alternative device temporarily might be your best option while waiting for a fix.

Some images courtesy of iMyFone