Now the picture-in-picture function will be automatically enabled for all YouTube users, in all countries - meaning also for those using the free version of YouTube. According to the company, the feature will be rolled out in phases, "over the coming months".
However, the change does not make PiP mode completely identical for everyone, as the available features will continue to depend on the subscription type. Free users can only use the PiP feature when watching "long form" videos. This covers, for example, vlogs, documentaries and most other types of long videos - but music videos and YouTube Shorts are excluded.
Paying Premium subscribers will continue to get full benefit from picture-in-picture mode. They can use PiP mode for watching all kinds of videos, including music videos, allowing, for example, a single music video or a music video playlist to continue in the background, even if the user switches to other apps on their phone.
Enabling picture-in-picture mode is technically simple. The user only needs to start watching a video in the YouTube app and then exit the app, for example, by swiping to the home screen or pressing the home button. After this, the video will continue to play as a small floating window at the edge of the screen. The size of the window can be changed, and it can be moved around the screen. The mini-window also contains playback control buttons, and from it, one can return to the full-screen YouTube app.
PiP mode thus enables, for example, that the user can continue watching a long video while reading emails, browsing the web, or using messaging apps.
The feature will be available for both Android and iOS devices.
Written by: Petteri Pyyny @ 1 May 2026 1:16
