How to Use Picture-in-Picture on Your Phone in Canada

Picture-in-picture lets you keep watching a video in a small floating window while you do something else on your phone. You can follow a recipe video while you check a shopping list, watch a hockey highlight while you reply to a message, or keep a video call on screen while you look up an address. It works on both iPhone and Android, and it takes only a minute to set up.

What is picture-in-picture?

Picture-in-picture, often shortened to PiP, shrinks a video into a small window that floats on top of whatever else is on your screen. You can drag the window to any corner, resize it with a pinch, and tap it to pause or close it. The video keeps playing while you open other apps, check email, or scroll through your messages.

The feature is built into modern phones. On iPhone it arrived with iOS 14, and on Android it has been part of the system since Android 8. Most video apps support it, though a few, notably YouTube, put some uses behind a Premium subscription.

Step 1: Turn on picture-in-picture on iPhone

On iPhone, picture-in-picture is on by default, but it is worth checking the setting. Open Settings, then General, then Picture in Picture, and make sure Start PiP Automatically is switched on. With that setting on, a video will shrink into a floating window on its own when you swipe up to the home screen or switch to another app.

Step 2: Turn on picture-in-picture on Android

On Android, the setting lives under the apps themselves. Open Settings, then Apps, then choose the app you want to use, for example YouTube or Netflix. Tap Picture-in-picture and switch on Allow picture-in-picture. You need to do this for each app you want to use with PiP, though in most recent versions of Android the permission is on by default for video apps.

Step 3: Use picture-in-picture with video apps

Start playing a video in a supported app, then leave the app. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen or press the home button. On Android, swipe up or tap the home button. The video should shrink into a small window in the corner of your screen.

Tap the window once to see controls for play, pause, and close. Drag it to move it to a different corner. On iPhone, pinch with two fingers to make it bigger or smaller, and swipe it to the edge of the screen to hide it while the audio keeps playing.

Apps that support PiP include Apple TV, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and the built-in video player in Safari and Chrome. YouTube supports PiP on iPhone and Android, but on the free version it is limited: in Canada, most regular videos need a YouTube Premium subscription. Watching in a mobile browser instead of the app can be a workaround in some cases, since browser PiP rules are different.

Step 4: Use picture-in-picture for video calls

PiP is just as useful for calls. On iPhone, FaceTime supports PiP, so you can keep the other person on screen in a small window while you check a calendar or a document. WhatsApp video calls support PiP on both iPhone and Android in most recent versions of the app. Google Meet also supports it.

To use it, start the call, then swipe to the home screen. The call window shrinks into a corner and stays visible while you use other apps. When you want to return to the full call, tap the small window twice or tap the expand button.

Step 5: Use picture-in-picture with maps and navigation

Google Maps supports PiP on Android, and Apple Maps supports a similar floating view on iPhone. Start navigation, then switch to another app, and the map shrinks into a small window showing your next turn. This is useful when you need to check a message while driving, though you should always keep your eyes on the road and let a passenger handle the phone.

Fix 1: The video stops instead of shrinking

The most common cause is the PiP setting being off. On iPhone, check Settings, then General, then Picture in Picture. On Android, check the app's permission under Settings, then Apps. If the setting is on and PiP still does not work, the app itself may not support it. Try the same video in Safari or Chrome, which support PiP for most web videos. Some apps block PiP on purpose: YouTube is the best-known example for free accounts.

Fix 2: The floating window disappears

If the window vanishes when you switch apps, the app may have been closed in the background to save battery. On Android, check that battery optimisation is not killing the app: open Settings, then Apps, choose the app, then Battery, and set it to Unrestricted or Optimised rather than Restricted. On iPhone, make sure Low Power Mode is not interfering.

Fix 3: The window is too small or in the way

Drag the window to any corner of the screen to move it out of the way. Pinch to resize it on iPhone, or drag a corner on Android. If you want it gone for a moment without stopping the video, swipe it to the edge of the screen on iPhone and the audio will keep playing.

Tips for getting the most from picture-in-picture

Use PiP for tasks that need your eyes on two things at once, such as following a cooking video while you read a recipe, or watching a sports highlight while you check the score in another app. It also works well for long video calls where you need to look something up mid-conversation.

Remember that PiP keeps the video playing, which uses battery and mobile data. If you are on a limited data plan, connect to Wi-Fi before starting a long video in a floating window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does picture-in-picture work on all phones?

It works on iPhones running iOS 14 or later and on Android phones running Android 8 or later. Most video and calling apps support it, though some apps, such as YouTube for free accounts, limit it.

Why does YouTube not work with picture-in-picture?

YouTube reserves full picture-in-picture for YouTube Premium subscribers on mobile. Free accounts can use PiP for some music videos, but most regular videos need Premium.

Does picture-in-picture use mobile data?

Yes. The video keeps streaming in the floating window, so it uses data like normal playback. Use Wi-Fi for long videos on a limited data plan.