Google announced that YouTube’s picture-in-picture mode is now available for iOS and iPadOS devices. This mode allows users to play videos in a floating window or while opening another application and will start to launch for iOS 15 based devices.
Picture-in-picture mode has long been available on the video platform, but only for YouTube Premium subscribers. In addition, this mode can also be accessed by non-Premium users in the United States (US).
In an official announcement via Twitter, Team YouTube said picture-in-picture mode on iOS and iPadOS can only be used for “non-music content.” As for Android users, nothing has changed because this mode has been available for a long time.
Speaking of picture-in-picture mode recording on YouTube, it took a long time for this mode to finally be used by all users. Google first announced its plans to bring this mode back in June 2021.
it's happening! ✨ picture-in-picture is slowly rolling out for YouTube on iPhone & iPad, & just like on Android, will be avail to:
Premium members globally &
non-Premium members in US (non-music only)it’s been a long time coming 😌 all the details ➡️ https://t.co/mNbPWWE21n pic.twitter.com/ZeBY48KOhH
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) July 11, 2022
Then in August, picture-in-picture mode came as a trial feature for Premium subscribers. However, YouTube ended that trial in April 2022 and said the company had a lot of “details” about the feature to share soon.
YouTube took quite a while to roll out picture-in-picture mode on all platforms. YouTube also acknowledged this in a tweet and blog post saying, “Slow rollout for a much-desired feature.”
To see if your device already has access to the mode, open the YouTube app, try playing a video, then exit YouTube to go to the home screen or another app. If picture-in-picture mode is on, the video will automatically appear as a floating window.
You can also check for the feature by tapping the YouTube profile picture at the top right of the app, going to Settings > General, and checking the switch labeled “Picture-in-picture.”
