Activating YouTube Picture-in-Picture on iPhone and iPad: A Comprehensive Guide
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) is a feature that allows users to watch videos in a small window while interacting with other apps. This feature is well-supported by many media apps on iPads, with YouTube lagging behind until recently. However, if you're eager to use PiP with YouTube on your iPad or iPhone, there's a workaround available. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make it happen:
How to Enable PiP on YouTube on Your iPhone and iPad
1. For iPad Users: Using Safari and Desktop Websites
Although the official YouTube app on iPads does not support PiP, iPadOS 13 and later versions offer a way to achieve this through Safari and the desktop version of YouTube. Follow these steps:
Open the Safari app on your iPad.
Go to the YouTube website.
Login to your Google account if you haven't already. This will access your YouTube account, including subscriptions and playlists.
Search for the video you want to watch and tap on it to open the video page.
Tap the Play button to start the video.
Tap the Fullscreen button (usually represented by a larger screen icon) to expand the video to full screen.
Tap the Pict-on-Pict (PiP) button (generally represented by an icon of a smaller screen in a larger screen) at the top-left corner of the screen. This will make the video play in a small floating window.
Adjust the size and position of the PiP window by tapping and holding on the window, or by using the magnifying glass icon to zoom.
To stop the video, tap the Stop button, or simply tap the PiP button again to return to full screen mode.
2. For iPad and iPhone: Conventional Method
If you prefer to use the official YouTube app for a more streamlined experience, follow these steps:
Open the YouTube app.
Tap on your profile picture located in the upper right corner.
Select Settings General.
Scroll down and switch on the Picture-in-Picture option.
Go back to the main YouTube app screen.
Select the video you want to watch and tap the Share icon.
Swipe through the list of actions until you find the More icon, then select Pict-in-Pict (PiP).
The video will now open in a full-screen mode.
FAQs and Additional Information on PiP
Here are some frequently asked questions and additional details about PiP on YouTube:
Do I need a certain version of iPadOS/iOS for PiP?
Yes, you need to be running iPadOS 13 or later, or iOS 13 or later on your device for the PiP feature to work with the browser version of YouTube.
Does PiP work on all videos?
PiP works on most videos but may not work on very small or lightweight videos. It also depends on the internet connection speed and the device’s performance.
Is PiP available in YouTube Creator Studio?
As of now, there is no option to enable or disable PiP in YouTube Creator Studio. However, this might change in future updates.
Does PiP work on WiFi and Mobile Data?
With WiFi, PiP runs automatically. However, when using mobile data, the Data Saver feature may disable PiP. You can disable Data Saver settings to re-enable PiP.
Conclusion
If you're an avid YouTube viewer who likes to multitask, these methods will help you achieve the best of both worlds. Whether you opt for the desktop website or the official app, you can now enjoy your videos in a smaller window while doing other tasks on your iPad or iPhone. Stay tuned for any future updates that might make the process even simpler!