In today’s digital age, multitasking has become an essential part of our daily lives. We want to do multiple things at once, and watching YouTube videos is no exception. Imagine being able to watch your favorite YouTube video while browsing through other websites, responding to emails, or even working on a project. Sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, this dream is now a reality, thanks to the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature on YouTube.
What is Picture-in-Picture (PiP) on YouTube?
Before we dive into the details of enabling PiP on YouTube, let’s take a closer look at what this feature is all about. Picture-in-Picture is a feature that allows you to watch YouTube videos in a small window, floating above other windows and applications on your device. This means you can continue watching your favorite videos while performing other tasks on your computer or mobile device.
PiP is particularly useful when you want to:
- Keep watching a video while responding to emails or chat messages
- Follow a recipe or tutorial video while cooking or working on a project
- Watch a video analysis or tutorial while working on a task that requires your attention
- Simply multitask and make the most of your time
How to Enable Picture-in-Picture on YouTube: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you know the benefits of PiP, let’s get started with enabling it on YouTube. The process varies slightly depending on the device you’re using, so we’ll cover the steps for both desktop and mobile devices.
Enabling PiP on Desktop Devices
To enable PiP on your desktop device, follow these simple steps:
- Make sure you’re using a compatible browser: PiP is supported on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge. If you’re using a different browser, you may not be able to enable PiP.
- Visit the YouTube website: Go to youtube.com and sign in to your account (if you haven’t already).
- Start playing a video: Choose a video you want to watch and click the play button.
- Click the PiP button: In the bottom right corner of the video player, you’ll see a small icon that looks like a rectangle with an arrow pointing towards the top-right corner. This is the PiP button. Click on it to enable PiP mode.
- Resize the video window: You can resize the video window by dragging the edges or corners to make it smaller or larger. You can also move the window around on your screen to a position that suits you best.
- Minimize the YouTube tab: You can minimize the YouTube tab in your browser to free up space on your screen. The video will continue playing in the PiP window.
Enabling PiP on Mobile Devices
To enable PiP on your mobile device, follow these steps:
- Make sure you’re using a compatible device: PiP is supported on Android devices running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher, and iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.
- Open the YouTube app: Open the YouTube app on your mobile device and sign in to your account (if you haven’t already).
- Start playing a video: Choose a video you want to watch and click the play button.
- Tap the PiP button: On Android devices, tap the PiP button in the top right corner of the video player. On iOS devices, tap the screen to bring up the video controls, then tap the PiP button in the top right corner.
- Resize the video window: You can resize the video window by pinching in or out with your fingers. You can also move the window around on your screen to a position that suits you best.
- Exit the YouTube app: You can exit the YouTube app by pressing the home button or navigating away from the app. The video will continue playing in the PiP window.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with PiP on YouTube
While PiP is a fantastic feature, you may encounter some issues while using it. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
Issue: PiP is not working in my browser
- Solution: Try updating your browser to the latest version. If you’re using an older browser, it may not support PiP. You can also try switching to a different browser to see if the issue persists.
Issue: PiP is not working on my mobile device
- Solution: Make sure your mobile device is running a compatible operating system (Android 8.0 or higher, or iOS 14 or higher). Also, ensure that the YouTube app is updated to the latest version.
Issue: The PiP window is not resizing properly
- Solution: Try resizing the video window by dragging the edges or corners. If the issue persists, try closing and reopening the PiP window.
Bonus Tip: Using PiP with Other YouTube Features
Did you know that you can use PiP in combination with other YouTube features to enhance your viewing experience? Here are a few bonus tips:
- Using PiP with YouTube Premium: If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, you can enjoy ad-free videos in PiP mode.
- Using PiP with multilingual subtitles: If you’re watching a video with multilingual subtitles, you can continue to see the subtitles in PiP mode.
- Using PiP with YouTube playlists: You can enable PiP mode while watching a video in a playlist. The next video in the playlist will automatically start playing in PiP mode.
Conclusion
Enabling Picture-in-Picture on YouTube is a simple process that can greatly enhance your multitasking abilities. Whether you’re using a desktop device or a mobile device, PiP allows you to watch YouTube videos while performing other tasks. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can unlock the power of PiP and take your multitasking skills to the next level. Happy watching!
Does Picture-in-Picture mode work on all devices?
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode is supported on most modern devices, including Android devices running Android 8.0 or later, iOS devices running iOS 14 or later, and iPads running iPadOS 14 or later. However, PiP mode may not work on older devices or devices with outdated operating systems.
Additionally, PiP mode may not work on certain devices or browsers that do not support the feature. If you’re having trouble enabling PiP mode on your device, try checking for software updates or using a different browser.
How do I enable Picture-in-Picture mode on YouTube?
To enable Picture-in-Picture mode on YouTube, start by opening a YouTube video on your device. Next, tap the home button on your Android device or swipe up from the bottom of the screen on your iOS device. This will minimize the YouTube app and allow you to use other apps while the video continues to play in the corner of your screen.
Make sure that PiP mode is enabled in your YouTube settings by going to Settings > Picture-in-Picture and toggle the switch to the “on” position. You can also enable PiP mode from the video player by tapping the three-dot menu icon and selecting “Picture-in-Picture” from the drop-down menu.
Can I use Picture-in-Picture mode on my computer?
While PiP mode is typically associated with mobile devices, you can also use it on your computer. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers all support PiP mode, and you can enable it by clicking the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the video player and selecting “Picture-in-Picture” from the drop-down menu.
Alternatively, you can also use keyboard shortcuts to enable PiP mode on your computer. For example, on Chrome and Firefox, you can press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Command + Shift + P (Mac) to toggle PiP mode on and off.
Is Picture-in-Picture mode available on all YouTube videos?
Not all YouTube videos support PiP mode. Some videos, such as live streams, may not be compatible with PiP mode, and you may see an error message if you try to enable it. Additionally, some content creators may choose to disable PiP mode for their videos, so it’s always a good idea to check the video settings before trying to enable PiP mode.
If you’re having trouble enabling PiP mode on a particular video, try checking the video’s settings or looking for a message from the content creator that indicates whether PiP mode is available.
Can I use Picture-in-Picture mode with other video apps?
While PiP mode is commonly associated with YouTube, many other video apps also support the feature. For example, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video all support PiP mode on certain devices, and you can enable it in a similar way to YouTube.
Just like with YouTube, you’ll need to check the settings of the video app you’re using to see if PiP mode is available. You can usually find this option in the video player settings or by tapping the three-dot menu icon and selecting “Picture-in-Picture” from the drop-down menu.
Can I resize the PiP window?
Yes, you can resize the PiP window to fit your needs. On most devices, you can drag the corners of the PiP window to resize it, or use pinch gestures to zoom in and out.
Keep in mind that the size and position of the PiP window may vary depending on the device and operating system you’re using. Experiment with different sizes and positions to find what works best for you.
How do I disable Picture-in-Picture mode?
To disable PiP mode, simply tap the PiP window and select “Exit picture-in-picture” or “Fullscreen” from the menu. This will return the video to its original size and allow you to interact with it normally.
If you want to disable PiP mode altogether, you can do so by going to the YouTube settings and toggling the PiP switch to the “off” position. This will prevent PiP mode from working on your device until you re-enable it.