YouTube Picture-in-Picture Now Available on iOS in the US

YouTube Expands Picture-in-Picture Viewing to iOS Users

YouTube initially introduced picture-in-picture (PiP) viewing for Android devices in 2018. Now, according to a report from TechCrunch, YouTube is preparing to extend this functionality to all iOS users within the United States, encompassing both iPhone and iPad devices.

Initial Rollout to Premium Subscribers

Currently, YouTube is extending an invitation to YouTube Premium subscribers to participate in testing this new feature. This allows users to continue watching videos in a minimized player while simultaneously using other applications.

The trial period for Premium members is scheduled to conclude on October 31st. However, YouTube has not yet provided a definitive timeframe for when the feature will become universally available to all iOS users in the U.S.

Enabling the Feature

Interestingly, despite being a mobile feature, Premium subscribers are required to activate the testing option through the YouTube experiments website on a desktop computer. Opting into these experiments was established as a benefit for Premium members last year.

Navigating the experiments website reveals a “Picture-in-picture on iOS” option, allowing users to enable the trial. Following activation, videos played within the YouTube app should then display in picture-in-picture mode when the user leaves the app.

Picture-in-Picture Functionality

While utilizing picture-in-picture, users have the ability to adjust the video’s position and size on their screen. Tapping the minimized video player will return the user to the main YouTube application.

The video playback will pause automatically when the user’s device is locked.

Some users have indicated that a complete reinstallation of the YouTube app may be necessary to ensure proper functionality.

Distinction from Existing iOS PiP

This new implementation of picture-in-picture differs from the existing functionality within the YouTube iOS app. It enables uninterrupted video playback even when users are navigating to other applications on their device.

Comparable features are already available on other streaming platforms, such as Netflix.