Multitasking on mobile devices has long ceased to be a luxury and has become a basic need. Imagine the situation: you are watching a training lesson or following a live broadcast, but at that moment you receive an urgent message in the messenger or you need to check your email. Previously, you had to pause the video, minimize the application and lose visual contact with what was happening on the screen. Fortunately, modern versions of the Android operating system allow you to implement the function Picture-in-Picture (PiP), which turns the video stream into a compact floating window.
However, the implementation of this function in the official application has its own nuances, depending on the smartphone manufacturer and region. Owners of devices running “pure” Android are often faced with the fact that the minimize button is simply missing. This is due to Google's policy of trying to redirect users to a paid Premium subscription. However, there are several proven methods that allow you to bypass these restrictions without having to pay a monthly subscription fee. YouTube has its own nuances, depending on the smartphone manufacturer and region. Owners of devices running “pure” Android are often faced with the fact that the minimize button is simply missing. This is due to Google's policy of trying to redirect users to a paid Premium subscription. However, there are several proven methods to bypass these restrictions without having to pay a monthly subscription fee.
In this article, we will examine in detail all the available methods for activating the Picture in Picture mode. We will look at the standard system settings, the capabilities of third-party browsers, as well as specific solutions for popular shells like MIUI and One UI. You'll learn how to turn any video into a separate widget that can be moved around the screen and resized, while maintaining the ability to work with other applications.
Activating the system Picture-in-Picture feature
The first step should always be to check the basic settings of the operating system. The multi-window feature has been built into the Android kernel since version 8.0 (Oreo), but it may be disabled by default for specific apps to save battery power or due to glitches after updates. To activate it, you need to go to the menu Settings → Applications → YouTube. Here you should find the “Advanced” item or immediately go to the “Picture in Picture” section.
In the menu that opens you will see a switch called “Allow Picture in Picture”. Make sure it is in the active position. If the slider is gray and unclickable, the feature may be blocked at the system level by the device administrator or restriction profile. It is also worth checking if the power saving mode is enabled, which often forcibly closes background processes, which include a floating window.
After enabling the resolution, try launching any video. To activate the mode in the YouTube app, you usually need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen (Home gesture) without closing the video player. If everything is configured correctly, the video should “stick” to the corner of the screen and continue playing. It is important to understand that system limitations may work differently on different firmware versions.
If swiping does not work, try pressing the Home button twice quickly or using the navigation button in the lower right corner of the screen if you have the classic three-button control.
Features of operation on Samsung and Xiaomi smartphones
Large electronics manufacturers often introduce their own add-ons over the standard Android interface, which leads to a change in the logic of multitasking. Owners of devices Samsung with a shell One UI should be aware of the “Pop-up Video” function. It works independently of the system PiP and is sometimes even more stable. To launch it, you need to open the recent applications panel, click on the application icon at the top and select “Open in a pop-up window.”
For users Xiaomi with firmware MIUI or HyperOS the situation is a little more complicated. There is often a conflict between the system gesture and the operation of the video player. In your phone settings, in the “Advanced Settings” section, there may be a “Video Tools” or “Side Panel” item. Adding YouTube to this list allows you to bring up a special menu on top of the video, which has a button to minimize to a corner. This is a more reliable method than the standard gesture.
⚠️ Attention: On some Xiaomi models, the function may not work correctly when the “Game Acceleration” option or similar performance boosters is enabled. If the window disappears when switching, try disabling game modes for the YouTube app.
Another feature concerns devices with screen cutouts or dynamic islands. A floating window can be overlapped by system interface elements. In this case, it is recommended to enable the display of additional areas in the screen settings or change the aspect ratio of the application to standard 16:9 so that the video is not cropped by the camera.
Using browsers to bypass restrictions
If a standard application stubbornly refuses to minimize the video, the simplest and most legal solution is to use a mobile browser. Modern web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox or Brave, fully support the HTML5 Video PiP standard. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works on any device with access to the Internet.
The algorithm of actions is extremely simple: open the browser, go to the site youtube.com and be sure to request the “PC Version” (full version of the site) through the browser settings menu. Play a video, minimize your browser, or switch to another tab. In most cases, the video will automatically shrink to a corner. If this does not happen, on some browsers you need to click on the “Picture in Picture” icon that appears in the address bar or in the media control menu.
The browser deserves special attention. Brave. It has a built-in ad blocking feature and allows you to play videos in the background even when the screen is off, saving battery life. This makes it a great tool for listening to podcasts or music without having to keep the screen on all the time. However, it is worth remembering that when using a browser, you may lose some functions available in the native application, for example, gesture control or integration with Google Account for browsing history.
☑️ Setting up a browser for PiP
Third-party clients and modified applications
For those who want to get maximum features, including no advertising and background playback without a subscription, there are modified versions of the official client. The most famous project in this area is YouTube ReVanced. This is not a separate application, but a patcher that modifies the original APK file, introducing the necessary functions into it, including forced PiP.
The installation process of such solutions requires a certain technical literacy. You will need to download the original version-specific YouTube installation file, download the patcher application and apply the necessary patches. After installation, you receive a full-fledged client in which the minimize button always works, regardless of region or account type. This is the most comfortable option for daily use.
There are also ready-made assemblies from third-party developers, which can be found on thematic forums. However, using such applications carries certain risks. You are trusting access to your Google account to an unknown piece of software. Although the open source community actively reviews such projects, the possibility of data leakage or account blocking by Google theoretically remains.
⚠️ Attention: The use of modified clients violates the terms of use of the YouTube service. Google may temporarily restrict access to your account or require you to change your password if suspicious activity is detected.
Comparison of video output methods
To make it easier for you to choose the best method, we have prepared a summary table comparing different methods according to key parameters. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages depending on your priorities: security, convenience or functionality.
| Method | Complexity of setup | Presence of advertising | Operation stability | Requires Root |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System PiP | Low | Yes | Medium | No |
| Browser (Chrome/Firefox) | Low | Yes (can be blocked) | High | No |
| Brave browser | Low | No | High | No |
| YouTube ReVanced | High | No | High | No (usually) |
| Pop-up window (Samsung) | Medium | Yes | High | No |
As you can see from the table, browser-based solutions offer the best balance between simplicity and functionality, especially if you choose a browser with a built-in blocker. Modified apps provide a better user experience, but require initial setup time. The system method is only suitable for those who are lucky with the region or version of the application.
Why does Google limit the function?
The company monetizes convenience. Background playback and Picture-in-Picture are exclusive to YouTube Premium in most countries around the world. The restriction is intended to encourage users to switch to a paid plan.
Managing a floating window and troubleshooting problems
Once the video is in a separate window, it can be fully managed. Dragging is done by long pressing on the video stream area. Resizing occurs by bringing your fingers together or spreading them diagonally across the window. Depending on the version of Android, the window may have a minimum and maximum size limit beyond which it cannot be reduced or enlarged.
A common problem is the lack of sound when the window is minimized. This is due to the fact that some applications automatically mute the media stream when they go into the background. Check your audio settings in the YouTube app itself, and also make sure your system's media audio slider is not at zero. Sometimes pressing the Play button inside the small window again helps.
If the window constantly closes spontaneously, check your battery settings. In the Settings → Applications → YouTube → Battery section, select the “No restrictions” mode. The Android system is very aggressive in unloading processes from RAM to save power, and background video is often the first victim of this optimization.
For stable operation of background video, it is critical to disable battery saving for the YouTube application and add it to the "sleep mode" exception list.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the Home button just close the video instead of minimizing it?
Most likely, the Picture-in-Picture feature is disabled in the settings of a specific application or in the general system settings. This may also happen if you are in a region where Google has strictly blocked this feature for free accounts. Try using the browser method as an alternative.
Is it possible to change the transparency of a floating window?
You cannot change the transparency using standard Android tools. However, some third-party launchers or specialized window management applications (requiring root access) allow you to adjust the transparency of floating widgets.
Does this mode work in Split Screen mode?
Yes, these functions are compatible. You can activate split screen, launch YouTube in one half, and then collapse it into PiP mode, which sits on top of the second app. This allows multitasking with three active zones.
Why does video in a small window slow down?
This may be due to a lack of RAM or processor overheating, since video decoding requires resources. Try reducing the playback quality inside the small window (click on the gear in the PiP window) to 480p or 360p.
Does the window disappear when the screen is locked?
By default, the video stops when the screen is locked. To continue listening to sound with the screen turned off, you must use special browsers (for example, Brave) or modified clients with the Background Play function. A standard application without Premium will stop playback.