Picture-in-Picture mode is not a new feature; it has been a part of phones and PCs for many years. However, it is still not available in all apps, despite the fact that every phone supports this feature. For YouTube, the availability of the PiP feature is complicated. If you own an iPhone and want to use YouTube’s Picture-in-Picture mode, then this guide is for you.
I use the term ‘complicated’ because the Picture-in-Picture mode is available to premium members. It is also available to non-premium users, but only in the US (only non-music videos). If you are outside the US, you will need a premium YouTube subscription to enjoy the Picture-in-Picture mode. However, if you are in the US, you can proceed with the steps directly without subscribing to Premium.
YouTube’s Picture-in-Picture mode plays videos in a small frame on top of other apps, even if you close YouTube. This allows users to multitask, enabling them to perform other tasks while watching a YouTube video in a part of the screen. Users have control over the size of the PiP window; they can use pinch-in and pinch-out gestures to adjust the YouTube PiP window size.
Letโs start the guide.
How to Enable YouTube Picture in Picture on iPhone
Picture-in-Picture mode won’t work if this function is turned off system-wide. Therefore, you need to ensure that the PiP feature is enabled to use it for YouTube. Here are the steps you need to follow.
In Settings:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Navigate to General > Picture in Picture.
- Now switch on the toggle for the Start PiP Automatically.
In YouTube App:
- You also need to enable the feature in YouTube App. Launch YouTube App on your iPhone.
- Now open your Profile followed by the Setting/Gear icon at the top right corner.
- Under Settings open General and then enable the toggle for Picture-in-Picture option.
With this you have successfully enabled the Picture in Picture mode in YouTube App. And now you can enjoy Picture in Picture on your iPhone.
How to Play YouTube Video in PiP
- Open YouTube App.
- Now play any video that you like.
- While the Video is playing swipe up from the bottom of the iPhone.
- The YouTube screen will shrink and pin in the homescreen.
You can then change its size and location based on your need. As the PiP window has permission to draw over apps, the video will continue playing even if you open other apps.
PiP Controls and Features
Now letโs talk about its controls and some useful features.
Closing PiP Window: To close the video, tap on the video playing in the PiP window and then tap the X/Close icon. If you lock your phone, the audio will continue if you are subscribed to the Premium membership.
Resize PiP Window: While a YouTube video is playing in the PiP window, you can pinch in to decrease its size and pinch out to increase the window size. Note that there may be a limit to how much you can increase or decrease the window size.
Change Location: By default the PiP window will be at the top right corner, but you can easily change its location. To change the location simply drag and drop the Window at any location on the screen.
Switch Back to Normal Window: To play the video back in the YouTube app, you have to just tap on the stack icon. Check the image for reference.
Other Controls: You can rewind, fast forward, play/pause, change volume level with same way as you control the video in YouTube app.
PiP Mode is incredibly useful for multitasking, especially when you want to play something in your car via Bluetooth while using your phone for other tasks (Of course when you are not in the driver seat). The video will continue to play and you donโt have to worry about playing the video again and again.
How to Turn Off YouTube Picture in Picture on iPhone
If you no longer wish to use the PiP feature, you can easily turn it off by following this guide. If you’re looking to just close the PiP window, please refer to the control section mentioned above, as it’s different from turning off PiP for YouTube.
You donโt need to turn off the PiP system wide if you only want to get rid of it from YouTube.
- Open YouTube app on your iPhone.
- Now tap on your profile icon > Gear/Settings icon.
- Here select General.
- Now turn off the toggle for Picture in Picture option.
Note: If you only want to use the PiP feature for specific videos and not all of them, the best option is to pause the video you don’t want to continue playing before jumping away from YouTube app.
Thatโs it. The YouTube videos will not play if you jump to homescreen from YouTube app.
This was the complete guide on how to use YouTube Picture in Picture on iPhone in detail. I hope you found the guide useful and I was able to clear all your queries. In case you have more queries, you can ask in the comment section.
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