How to open YouTube on top of all windows on Android: official and hidden methods

Mode Picture-in-Picture (PiP) allows you to watch videos from YouTube in a small window on top of other applications - convenient for multitasking. But by default, the feature only works for subscribers YouTube Premium or on select supported devices. Fortunately, there are workarounds. On Android, you can implement PiP for YouTube in at least 5 ways: through system settings, third-party applications, modified versions of commands, and even manually editing configuration files (for advanced users). In this article -

On Android, you can implement PiP for YouTube in at least 5 ways: through system settings, third-party applications, modified versions YouTube, ADB-commands and even manual editing of configuration files (for advanced users). In this article - step-by-step guide for each version of Androidincluding solutions for devices without rootrights and with them. We will also look at why PiP may not work on some smartphones Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei, and how to fix it.

⚠️ Important: some methods require disabling updates YouTube via Google Play. This may affect the stability of the application. You perform all manipulations at your own peril and risk.

1. Official method: enable PiP in YouTube settings (for Premium)

If you have an active subscription YouTube Premium, the mode Picture-in-Picture is turned on automatically. But even in this case, manual configuration is sometimes required:

1. Open the application YouTube and log into your account.
2. Tap on the avatar in the upper right corner → Settings → General.
3. Find the option Picture-in-Picture and activate it.
4. Start any video, then press the button Home —the video should be minimized to a small window.

On some devices (for example Samsung Galaxy with a shell One UI), additional PiP settings may be located in the system parameters:

• 📱 Go to Settings → Applications → Special access → Picture-in-Picture.
• 🔍 Make sure that YouTube PiP mode is enabled.
• ⚙️ On some firmware (for example MIUI), you need to separately enable "Display on top of other windows".

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 10 and lower, the official PiP for YouTube may work unstable due to restrictions Google. In this case, one of the alternative methods below will help.

2. PiP without Premium: modified versions of YouTube (Vanced, ReVanced)

The most reliable way to get Picture-in-Picture without a subscription is to use modified versions YouTube. Previously, there was YouTube Vancedfor this, but after it was closed, alternatives appeared:

For installation ReVanced:

1. Download official patcher from the site ReVanced.
2. Install the original YouTube from APKMirror (version not newer than 17.49.36).
3. Run ReVanced Patcher, select the downloaded one APK and apply the patches:

   Select:
   - Enable Picture-in-Picture
   - Disable ads (optional)
   - MicroG support (if needed)

4. Install the resulting modified APK.

After installation ReVanced turn off automatic updating YouTube v Google Play, otherwise the modified version will stop working.

3. Enabling PiP via ADB (without root)

If you do not want to install modified versions, you can activate Picture-in-Picture via ADB. This method works on most devices with Android 8.0+:

Install ADB on PC (download from [developer.android.com](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools))

Enable USB debugging in developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number (7 taps) → For developers → USB debugging)

Connect your phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device

Open the command line in the folder with ADB-->

Run the command:

adb shell settings put global force_desktop_mode_on_external_displays 1

Then:

adb shell am start -n com.google.android.youtube/.app.honeycomb.Shell$LeanbackShellActivity

After that:

1. Open YouTube and start the video.
2. Press the button Home —the video should be minimized to the PiP window.

⚠️ Attention: on some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo/Realme) this method may only work after rebooting the device. Also Google periodically blocks such bypasses - if PiP stops working, repeat the procedure or use another method.

4. Alternative applications for PiP (without YouTube modifications)

If you don’t want to mess around with ADB or modified APK, you can use third-party applications that emulate the mode Picture-in-Picture:

• 🎥 Floating YouTube - creates a floating window on top of other applications. Requires the "Display on top of other windows" permission.
• 🔄 PiP Tool - universal solution for PiP, works with most video applications, including YouTube.
• 🖥️ BubbleUPnP - broadcasts video. from YouTube via UPnP/DLNA in a separate window.

To configure Floating YouTube:

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Open it and allow access to "Accessibility" (Settings → Accessibility → Floating YouTube).
3. Start the video in YouTube, then pull down the notification panel and tap on the notification Floating YouTube.

💡 Useful advice: If the floating window does not appear, check if the battery optimizer is blocking it. data-i="155">and Xiaomi And Huawei add Floating YouTube to the "Protected applications" list.

5. Manual editing of configuration files (for root)

On devices with root access you can manually enable Picture-in-Picture for YouTubeby editing system files. This method is suitable for advanced users:

1. Install a file manager with support root (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to the path:

   /data/data/com.google.android.youtube/shared_prefs/

3. Find the file phenotype.xml and open it in a text editor.
4. Add or edit line:

   <string name="GmsCore_pip_whitelist">com.google.android.youtube</string>

5. Save the file, reboot the device.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to malfunctions YouTube or even the entire system. Before making changes, make a backup copy of the file. phenotype.xml.

An alternative way for rootusers is to use the module Magisk:

• 🔧 Install Magisk Module "YouTube PiP Enabler" via Magisk Manager.
• 🔄 Reboot the device.
• 🎬 PiP should work without additional settings.

6. different firmware

Smartphone manufacturers often modify Android, which may affect the work Picture-in-Picture. Here's what you need to know:

adb shell cmd appops set com.google.android.youtube android:picture_in_picture allow

On devices Huawei s EMUI Additional settings may be required:

1. Go in Settings → Applications → Applications → YouTube → Advanced → Display in other applications.
2. Enable the option Allow display in other applications.
3. Start the video, then swipe up to go to Picture-in-Picture.

💡 Tip: if PiP does not work on Samsungtry enabling developer mode and activating the option Force Desktop Mode (see section with ADB).

7. Why PiP may not work and how to fix it

Even after all the settings Picture-in-Picture sometimes it refuses to work. Here are the most common reasons and solutions:

• 🚫 Google limitations: since 2023 YouTube actively blocks PiP for non-premium users. The solution is to use modified versions. (ReVanced) or ADB-method.
• 🔋 Battery optimization: on Xiaomi, Huawei and Samsung the system can kill background processes. add YouTube to exceptions.
• 📱 Incompatible version). Android: on Android 7.0 and below PiP is not supported at the system level. The solution is to update the firmware or use alternative applications (for example, NewPipe).
• 🔒 Blocked by the manufacturer: some brands (for example, Meizu) disable PiP at the firmware level. The solution is to install custom software (LineageOS).

If after all the manipulations PiP still does not work:

1. Check whether it is blocked by an antivirus or firewall (for example, Avast or Norton).
2. Delete cache and data YouTube (Settings → Applications → YouTube → Storage → Clear cache/data).
3. Try another launcher (for example Nova Launcher), as some shells conflict with PiP.

⚠️ Attention: on devices with Android 14+ Google tightened control over PiP. If you use modified APKs, they may stop working after updating. Google Play Services. In this case, you will have to wait for the release of a new patch from the community ReVanced.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about PiP in YouTube on Android