Function Picture in Picture (or Picture-in-Picture, PiP) radically changes the scenario for using a smartphone, allowing you to combine viewing content with other tasks. Imagine the situation: you are watching a video lesson or live broadcast, but suddenly an important message arrives that you need to respond to, or you need to check your email. Previously, you had to minimize the player, stop playback, and look for the moment where you left off. Now Android allows you to play videos in a floating window on top of any other application, maintaining uninterrupted viewing.
However, despite the popularity of the feature, many users face difficulties in activating it. The fact is that support for the mode depends not only on the version of the operating system, but also on the policy of the specific application developer. For example, a standard player or video calls work in this mode out of the box, but popular streaming services may require special settings or a subscription. In this article we will look in detail at how to activate and use this technology on various devices.
It is worth noting right away that the settings interface may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer's shell, be it One UI from Samsung, MIUI from Xiaomi or pure Android on Pixel. The fundamental logic of operation remains the same, but the location of the switches may vary. We will look at universal methods that are suitable for most modern smartphones released in the last few years.
Technical requirements and device compatibility
For multitasking mode to work correctly, your device must meet certain software requirements. The function was introduced into the operating system starting from version Android 8.0 Oreo. If you have an older version of the system, native PiP support will be missing and you will have to look for third-party solutions or update the firmware. You can check the current version in the section Settings → About phone → Android version.
In addition to the OS version, support from the application itself is critical. Developers must explicitly add the appropriate flag to the app code. Most modern instant messengers, browsers and video players have already integrated this feature. However, some heavy games or specialized software may ignore the request to minimize, forcing it to close when going to the desktop.
⚠️ Attention: On some budget smartphone models with a small amount of RAM (less than 3 GB), the system can automatically close background processes to save resources. In this case, the floating window may disappear a few seconds after being minimized.
It is also worth considering the hardware features. The processor must have sufficient power to decode the video stream in parallel with the main application. On very old or weak devices, activating PiP can lead to a noticeable drop in performance and heating of the case. If you notice strong lag, you may want to limit the video resolution in the player settings.
Global activation of the function in the system settings
Before you try to minimize a specific video, you need to make sure that the ability to use floating windows is allowed at the system level. In some assemblies Android this option is enabled by default, but in others, especially in custom firmware from Chinese manufacturers, it must be activated manually. This is done through a single multitasking control center.
To do this, go to the menu Settings → Applications → Special access → Picture in Picture. Here you will see a list of all installed apps that theoretically support this mode. You need to go through the list and make sure that the switch next to the applications you need (for example, YouTube, Chrome, Telegram) is in the active position. Without this permission, the system will block the creation of a floating window.
- 📱 Open the smartphone settings and find the "Applications" section.
- ⚙️ Go to the "Special access" subsection or "Additional."
- 🖼️ Select the "Picture in Picture" item and check the status of the desired apps.
- ✅ Activate the toggle switch for all services that you plan to use.
Sometimes after enabling the setting, you need to restart the device to apply the changes. If you've enabled the permission but the feature still doesn't work, try clearing the cache of the problematic app. This can be done in the same application settings menu by selecting Storage → Clear cache. This action will not delete your data, but will reset temporary files that may have caused the conflict.
If you cannot find the "Special access" item, use the search in settings. Enter the phrase “picture” or “PIP” into the search bar, and the system itself will show the desired section.
Setting the mode for video services and streaming
The most common user request concerns working with video platforms. The situation here is heterogeneous: while there are usually no problems with local files or free videos, restrictions may arise with licensed content. For example, in the application YouTube For users without a Premium subscription, the feature does not work in all regions or requires additional steps in the browser.
In the case of Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video PiP mode is usually only available to paid subscribers. This limitation is dictated by license agreements of copyright holders. However, technically the activation process is the same: launch a video in full screen, and then simply minimize the application or go to the home screen. The window should automatically shrink and snap into the corner.
| Service | Subscription required | Work in the browser | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Yes (in the application) | Yes (via Chrome/Firefox) | High |
| Netflix | Yes | No | High |
| Twitch | No | Yes | Average |
| Vimeo | Partly | Yes | High |
| Local files | No | Depends on player | Maximum |
An interesting nuance concerns the browser Google Chrome. If you're watching a video on a site that doesn't have its own PiP-enabled app, you can force this mode. To do this, play the video, minimize the browser, and then in the playback notification (in the curtain) click on the window icon. Or use a special menu in the site player itself, if the developers have provided it.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and subscription conditions change frequently. If the function stops working after updating the app, check the "About the application" section in Google Play - the developer may have temporarily disabled support for PiP to fix errors.
Floating window controls and gestures
When the video is already playing in a small window, the user has full control over its position and size. You can drag the block PiP to any corner of the screen so that it does not overlap important elements of the main application interface. This is especially convenient when typing text or reading documents, when you need to see the video sequence, but not disturb your view.
Resizing is done by simply pinching the video window with two fingers. You can make it minimal so that it only takes up a tiny portion of the display, or stretch it to almost half the screen for a better view of details. The system remembers the last used size and will apply it automatically the next time you start it. This eliminates the need to adjust the window to suit you each time.
☑️ PiP management skills
To quickly pause or resume playback, just make a single tap in the center of the floating window. The standard controls will appear: play/pause button, rewind 10 seconds and close button. If you pull the window to the bottom or top edge of the screen, it may collapse into a compact strip while still playing only audio. This is an ideal mode for listening to podcasts or music in the background.
Some shells, such as MIUI or ColorOSoffer advanced control functions. For example, the ability to dock a window on top of all other windows, even in full-screen games, or lock resizing so you don't accidentally shrink a video to an unreadable state. Explore additional settings in the menu called up by long pressing on the floating window.
Solving problems with black screen and sound
One of the most common complaints is the appearance of a black rectangle instead of a video image. This is usually related to content protection HDCP or decoder error. If you see a black screen but there is sound, try closing the application completely through the multitasking menu and starting it again. Often this resets the video stream and returns the image.
The problem may also lie in the power saving settings. Aggressive battery saving modes can limit the operation of background processes, considering the floating window an unnecessary energy consumer. Go to Settings → Battery → Optimization and find your video application. Set the mode to "No restrictions" or "Do not optimize" so that the system does not interrupt its operation.
What to do if the sound is lost in PiP mode?
If the video works, but the sound has disappeared, check if the Do Not Disturb mode is turned on. Also make sure that the application itself does not select external audio output (for example, to Bluetooth headphones, which are currently disabled). In rare cases, switching the language of the audio track inside the player helps.
Another scenario is desynchronization of sound and image. This often happens when switching between Wi-Fi networks and mobile data. In this case, you should reduce the quality of the video stream manually. High resolution 4K or 1080p can be too heavy to process in the background on an unstable connection. Switch to 720p or 480p for stable performance.
In 90% of cases, the problem with a black screen in PiP is solved by disabling battery optimization for a specific application or updating the Android System WebView system component.
Using third-party players for advanced features
If standard system tools do not help you satisfied or the desired application stubbornly refuses to minimize, specialized players come to the rescue. Applications like VLC for Android, MX Player or BSPlayer have their own, very flexible implementations of picture-in-picture mode. They can work with almost any video file stored on your device or local network.
In the settings of such players you can often find the option “Always on top of other windows” or “Floating Player”. Activating this feature allows you to turn any video into a floating object, independent of Android system restrictions. Moreover, third-party players often allow you to overlay several windows on top of each other or fix a window in a specific place with high precision.
- 🎬 VLC: Completely free, supports all formats, there is a night mode.
- 🚀 MX Player: Powerful hardware acceleration, convenient control gestures.
- 🛠️ Kodi: For advanced users, the ability to customize skins and plugins.
- 📺 Just (Video) Player: Minimalistic, based on EXOPlayer, ideal for PiP.
When using third-party software, it is worth remembering permissions. When you first launch the application, it will ask for the right to display on top of other windows. Be sure to confirm this request, otherwise the function will not be activated. Also, some players allow you to display subtitles in a separate window, which can be useful when learning foreign languages while watching movies.
Can PiP be used in games on Android?
Native Picture in Picture mode is not intended for games. However, some console emulators or games with video clips may support minimizing. For full multitasking in games, it is better to use the Split Screen function, available in the multitasking settings of most modern smartphones.
Why doesn’t YouTube minimize to the background without a subscription?
This is a Google policy limitation. For free users, the background playback and PiP function in the official YouTube application is blocked. A workaround is to use a browser (Chrome, Firefox) with the PC version of the site, where the function is often available for free, or install modified clients (which carries security risks).
How to disable picture-in-picture for a specific application?
Go to Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Picture in Picture and turn the switch to the "Off" position. You can also long-tap on the application icon on the desktop, select “About the application” and go to the same settings section.
Does PiP mode affect battery consumption?
Yes, running two active applications at the same time (video player + main task) increases the load on the processor and screen, which leads to faster battery drain. It is recommended to reduce the screen brightness and video quality when multitasking for a long time.