Ever had to pause your favorite Netflix show just to reply to a text or quickly Google something? Annoying, isn’t it? Your iPhone has a nifty feature to save you the trouble. It’s called Picture-in-Picture mode, and it lets your videos and FaceTime calls float on-screen while you multitask. Here’s how to use the Picture-in-Picture mode on your iPhone and keep the entertainment going without missing a beat.
What is the Picture-in-Picture mode on iPhones?
The Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode lets you shrink a video or FaceTime call into a small floating window that stays on your screen. You can move it around, resize it, or even slide it to the side to temporarily hide it while using other apps. It’s a great feature when you want to keep watching something while doing other things.
For example, thanks to the PiP mode, you can:
- Watch a YouTube video while replying to messages in Messages
- Stay on a FaceTime call while checking your email
- Stream Netflix while browsing Safari
To use the PiP mode, your iPhone must be running iOS 14 or later. It works best on iPhone models with bigger screens for better multitasking.
Which iPhone apps support the Picture-in-Picture mode?
Not all iPhone apps support the Picture-in-Picture mode, but many popular ones do. Here are some that work:
- Video apps: Apple TV, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Twitch, and (with Premium) YouTube
- Video calling apps: FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype
- Others: Safari (for web videos), Podcasts, Apple Music (videos)
Unlike Android, iPhone cannot use PiP for apps like Maps and Clock as of now.
How to enable the Picture-in-Picture mode on an iPhone
In most cases, PiP is turned on by default. But if you want to confirm this, you can do so using the following steps:
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap General.
- Tap Picture in Picture.
- Make sure Start PiP Automatically is turned on.
Now, your iPhone is ready to use Picture-in-Picture mode. However, you also need to make sure PiP is enabled in the app’s settings. For example, in YouTube, you need to enable PiP mode by going into YouTube Settings > Playback and enabling the Picture-in-Picture option.
How to use the Picture-in-Picture mode on an iPhone
Once it’s enabled, using PiP on your iPhone is simple.
Activating PiP:
- Start playing a video or join a FaceTime call.
- Swipe up from the bottom (or press the Home button on older iPhones) to go to the Home Screen.
The video will automatically shrink into a floating window.
Controlling the PiP window:
- Move it: Drag the window to any corner of the screen.
- Resize it: Use two fingers to pinch in or out to make the window smaller or bigger.
- Hide it: Drag it to the side edge of the screen to hide it (you’ll see a small arrow tab). Tapping on that arrow will unhide the PiP window.
Pausing or closing PiP window:
- Tap the window to show controls.
- Use the pause/play button to control playback.
- Tap the X button to close the PiP window.
- Tap the full-screen icon to go back to full-screen mode in the app.
PiP isn’t just limited to your iPhone. You can also use PiP mode on a Mac.
Picture-in-Picture mode isn’t working on your iPhone? Try this
If the PiP mode isn’t working on your iPhone, you can try the following fixes:
- Make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version.
- Check if the app you’re trying to use supports PiP (some need a subscription).
- Restart the app or your iPhone.
- Go to Settings > General > Picture in Picture and make sure the feature is enabled.
Start using Picture-in-Picture mode right away
The Picture-in-Picture mode is a simple but powerful feature that makes multitasking on your iPhone a breeze. Whether you’re binge-watching or video calling, you don’t have to pause what you love just to check something else. Give it a try and see how smoothly your iPhone can handle it all at once.
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