Since iOS 14, iPhone has supported Picture in Picture (PiP) — a feature that keeps a video playing in a small floating window while you use other apps. You can watch a cooking video while jotting notes, stay on a FaceTime call while checking messages, or catch a live sports stream while browsing. App support varies, and the setting can be off by default, so this guide walks through enabling PiP, how it works in the most common apps, how to control the PiP window, and what to check when it isn't working.
Table of Contents
- What Is Picture in Picture on iPhone?
- How to Enable PiP
- PiP Support and Usage by App
- How to Control the PiP Window
- Troubleshooting: Picture in Picture Not Working
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
What Is Picture in Picture on iPhone?
Picture in Picture lets you watch a video in a small overlay window while returning to the home screen or switching to another app. iPads supported PiP from iOS 9, and iPhones gained the feature with iOS 14.
Common use cases include:
- Watching a recipe video while writing notes in another app
- Staying on a FaceTime call while replying to messages
- Catching news video while scrolling through social media
- Following a live sports stream while checking email
- Watching a lecture video while taking notes
The floating window can be dragged to any of the four corners of the screen, resized between two sizes, or swiped off-screen to keep the audio playing without the video.
How to Enable PiP
Before using PiP, confirm the setting is turned on.
- Open the Settings app
- Tap General
- Tap Picture in Picture
- Turn on Start PiP Automatically
With this on, whenever you leave a supported app while a video is playing, the video automatically shrinks into a floating window. With it off, leaving the app pauses the video as it did before iOS 14.
PiP Support and Usage by App
PiP depends on whether the app supports it. Here's how the most common apps handle it.
Safari, FaceTime, Apple TV, and Other Native Apps
Apple's built-in apps fully support PiP.
- Safari: Tap the PiP icon in the video player's top-left corner, or simply go to the home screen while a video is playing
- FaceTime: Returning to the home screen during a call automatically switches to PiP
- Apple TV: Works the same — leave the app and the video continues in the floating window
- Podcasts: Supports PiP for video podcasts
- Messages: Videos in messages can play in PiP
Native apps offer the most seamless experience — just pressing the home button or swiping up is enough.
YouTube (Premium Subscribers and Safari Workaround)
YouTube's official app had no PiP support for years, but there are now two ways to get it.
- YouTube Premium subscribers: PiP is available in-app. Go to Account → Settings → General → Picture-in-Picture and turn it on
- Free users (workaround): Open YouTube in Safari, switch to the Desktop Website via the aA button in the address bar, start a video, then go to the home screen. The PiP button should appear
Free users in most regions cannot use PiP in the YouTube app itself. The Safari desktop-site method is the most practical workaround.
Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video
Major streaming services support PiP out of the box. Here's a quick rundown:
- Netflix: Supported — leaving the app while a video is playing triggers PiP automatically
- Disney+: Supported
- Amazon Prime Video: Supported
- Hulu: Supported
- HBO Max / Max: Supported
For all of these, just start playing a video, then leave the app. The video will continue in the floating window.
How to Control the PiP Window
The PiP window behaves like a draggable overlay.
- Move: Drag it to any of the four corners
- Resize: Pinch to switch between two sizes
- Hide off-screen: Swipe it toward the edge of the screen — the video disappears but audio keeps playing. A small tab appears at the edge; tap it to bring the window back
- Close: Tap the window to reveal controls, then tap the X
- Return to full screen: Tap the expand icon (top-right of the window)
- Play / Pause: Tap the center of the window
- Skip / Rewind: iOS 17 and later adds forward/back buttons in the window for supported apps
The hide-to-edge trick is handy when you want audio only — it keeps the content playing without occupying screen space.
Troubleshooting: Picture in Picture Not Working
If PiP isn't activating, work through this checklist:
- Setting is off: Go to Settings → General → Picture in Picture and confirm Start PiP Automatically is on
- App doesn't support PiP: The app developer must opt in. If an app isn't listed above, check its support page
- YouTube free tier: The official app doesn't support PiP for free users. Use the Safari desktop-site workaround
- iOS version: PiP requires iOS 14 or later. Go to Settings → General → Software Update to update
- iPhone model: iPhone 6s or later is required
- Low Power Mode: Battery-saving mode can restrict background processes. Try turning it off temporarily
- Restart the app: Swipe the app away in the App Switcher and reopen it
If a supported app still isn't working, updating or reinstalling the app often resolves it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does PiP work in portrait orientation?
Yes, PiP works in both portrait and landscape. Some apps lock their player to landscape, so you may need to start in landscape and then return to the home screen.
Q. Can I mute audio while PiP is active?
Yes. Tap the PiP window to show controls, then use the mute button — or use the physical volume buttons to adjust.
Q. Which browsers support PiP on iPhone?
Safari has native PiP support. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on iPhone also generally support it, but behavior can vary by site.
Q. How is PiP on iPad different?
The feature works the same way on iPad — same controls, same app support. The larger screen makes it easier to use alongside other apps.
Summary
Picture in Picture on iPhone is a straightforward multitasking feature — turn on Start PiP Automatically in Settings and most supported apps will activate it the moment you leave while a video is playing. Netflix, Disney+, FaceTime, and Apple TV all work without any extra steps. YouTube free users need the Safari desktop-site workaround, but that method is reliable once you know it. If PiP still isn't working, check that the setting is on, confirm the app supports it, and make sure your iOS version is current.
