- YouTube's PiP feature lets you watch videos in a floating window while using other apps.
- There are free alternatives to YouTube's official PiP, such as compatible browsers and third-party apps.
- Customizing video placement and size improves the multitasking experience on Android.
YouTube has established itself as one of the world's most popular platforms for consuming video content, with millions of people accessing it daily from Android devices to enjoy music, tutorials, news, entertainment, education, and much more. However, many users have encountered a common limitation: watching YouTube videos while using other apps or performing other tasks on their mobile device is not natively possible if they leave the app, as the video stops.
The Picture-in-Picture ( PiP) feature has arrived to solve this problem by allowing videos to play in a floating window that you can move over any other app on your screen. This article offers a complete, step-by-step, and up-to-date guide on how to put YouTube in a floating window on Android and all the alternatives to achieve this, both with and without YouTube Premium. Discover all the requirements, methods, tips, advantages, potential problems, and existing solutions to get the most out of multitasking on your Android device with YouTube.
What do you need to put YouTube on a floating screen on Android?
The floating screen or picture-in-picture feature on YouTube is not available to all users or on all devices. It's important to know the requirements for using it :
- Android 8.0 Oreo or higher: It is the minimum version of the Android operating system that supports PiP natively. You can check the version you have on your phone by going to Settings > About phone > Android version.
- YouTube app updated: To ensure compatibility and optimal performance of the PiP feature, please keep the app updated from the Google Play Store.
- Picture-in-picture permission enabled: You must grant permission to the YouTube app to display pop-up windows. This option is enabled by going to Settings > Apps > YouTube > Picture in Picture > Allow Picture in Picture.
- Subscription to YouTube PremiumTraditionally, getting full PiP in most countries required a Premium account. However, YouTube is rolling out this feature for free in some regions for certain types of videos, though it may be limited in features or restricted for certain content, such as music videos.
If you meet all these requirements, you'll be able to watch YouTube videos in a floating window without any problems . If you're not a Premium user, there are alternatives, but it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the options and their features beforehand.
How to enable and use YouTube's Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature: A step-by-step guide
To get the most out of the PiP feature on Android, both with a Premium subscription and on accounts where it's already available for free in some regions, follow these essential steps :
- Access your device permissions: Go to Settings > Apps > YouTube > Picture in Picture and make sure the option is Allow picture in picture is activated.
- Open the YouTube app and play the desired video.
- Press the home button on your phone (the classic circle in the bottom bar or swipe up on devices with gestures). If you have the feature enabled, the video will automatically minimize to a small floating window.
- Move the PiP window freely anywhere on the screen and resize it using the pinch gesture.
- Use the controls available in the floating window: You can pause, resume, fast forward and rewind the video, skip to the next video, return to the main player, or close the window by pressing the X.
If the PiP feature doesn't appear after performing these steps, verify that you have the latest version of the app and that you meet the requirements, or try alternative methods like the ones listed below.
Additional settings and tricks: How to make sure PiP is enabled correctly
On some Android phones, especially those with customization layers, you may need to manually enable PiP within the YouTube app settings:
- Open YouTube and access your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Go to Settings > General and look for “Picture in Picture.” Turn it on if you haven't already.
- Depending on the manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.), the menus may vary slightly in name or location, but you should always find the option in the app settings.
Once activated, you can experience all the possibilities of PiP mode, such as changing the player position, pausing, fast-forwarding, rewinding, zooming in or out, and even switching the video to audio only if the feature is available in your country or account.
Advantages and possibilities of watching YouTube on a floating screen on Android
Using the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature to watch YouTube in a floating screen offers numerous key benefits in your daily life :
- Real multitasking: You can reply to messages, check maps, post on social media, browse the web, or continue playing without pausing the video.
- Display customization: Easily adjust the size and position of the floating window by dragging and pinching, so it stays out of your way and you can enjoy it your way.
- Explore more content: While watching the video in a floating window, you can search and watch other videos, read comments, annotations, or explore other channels.
- Ideal for tutorials and live shows: Follow a cooking, programming, or craft tutorial and play the steps in another app at the same time; or stay connected to music, events, or discussions without leaving your usual apps.
Alternative methods to put YouTube in a floating window without YouTube Premium
If you don't have YouTube Premium or if the PiP feature isn't yet available in your country/user, there are effective alternatives to enjoy YouTube videos in floating screen on your Android:
1. Use the Chrome browser or compatible browsers
- Open Chrome and go to the YouTube website. Play the selected video.
- Click on the menu (the three dots in the top right corner) and select “Desktop Site.”
- Play the video and exit Chrome using the home button.
- The video should stay running in a floating window if your device is running Android 8.0 or higher and your browser supports it.
- In some cases, you'll need to manually enable PiP from your browser settings.
2. Third-party applications for YouTube floating window
- Floating Tube, FlyTube or Awesome Pop-up Video They are applications available on the Google Play Store that allow you to play YouTube videos in a floating window and without the need for Premium.
- Its operation is usually simple: you copy the video link or search for it from the app, and it plays in a floating window on top of the rest of the apps.
- Warning: These apps may include advertising, may not have all the controls of the official player, or may not always be up to date with Google's policies, so their use is at your own risk. Learn how to change the screen orientation on Android here..
3. Split Screen Tool on Android
- Many smartphones allow you to open two apps at once in split screen mode. Open YouTube and then, from the recent apps menu, select "Split Screen" or "Pop-up Window."
- You can watch the video at the top or bottom and navigate in another app simultaneously, although with less freedom than true PiP.
4. Using apps for Android TV and other platforms
- On Android TV or smart TVs, apps like SmartTube Next They allow you to play videos in a floating window and remove ads. These apps are usually installed in APK format from secure platforms like GitHub.
Details on playback controls in floating window mode
The YouTube PiP player on Android offers several control options, improving your user experience:
- Drag and drop the mini player wherever you prefer on the screen, to avoid disturbing other apps.
- Pause, resume, or fast-forward the video directly from the PiP.
- enlarge the window to return to full YouTube mode.
- Listen only to the audio (on Premium accounts and depending on the type of video), useful for podcasts or music.
- Close the video by tapping the X or dragging the window to the bottom of the screen.
More and more users are experiencing the gradual activation of floating window mode without the need for Premium, although for now it may be subject to changes and testing by Google. If it doesn't work on your account, it may be enabled soon, or you may need to try alternative methods.
Potential issues, compatibility, and important considerations
- Geographic limitations: Depending on where you live, the PiP feature may require Premium or be restricted to certain videos only.
- Changes and gradual deployment: Google typically applies changes gradually. If you don't have free PiP available, wait or try the alternatives described here.
- Advertising or limitations in third-party apps: Some third-party solutions may not be as convenient, may include ads, or may stop working if Google updates its policies.
- AndroidTV: For now, the classic PiP feature is not available on Android TV in the official app, although there are alternative apps such as SmartTubeNext.
Extra tips and tricks to get the most out of YouTube's floating screen on Android
- Always keep the YouTube app updated and grants all necessary permissions to avoid operational problems.
- Customize the experience by moving and resizing the floating window to suit your workflow or entertainment.
- Use the PiP window in conjunction with other features, like split screen, for even more advanced multitasking.
- If your device has custom gestures, learn how they affect PiP activation (for example, some gestures need to be configured to prevent accidental closing of the window).
- If you experience errors or crashes, restart the YouTube app and check for permission settings or system updates.
