Many messenger users are wondering how to minimize WhatsApp on Android so that there is video, while remaining in video calling mode. This feature, known as Picture-in-Picture, allows you to turn your video call window into a floating mini-player that you can slide around the screen on top of other apps. This is incredibly convenient for multitasking: you can continue communicating while simultaneously viewing mail, reading news or working in other applications.
However, this feature is not always activated by default and may depend on the version of the operating system Android, the model of your smartphone and the specific settings of the messenger itself. In some cases, users are faced with the fact that when they press the “Home” button, the video connection is simply interrupted or goes into the background without displaying an image. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the nuances of the setup so that you can easily use video calls in the background.
The principle of operation of the “Picture in Picture” mode on Android
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) technology has been introduced into the operating system Android starting with version 8.0 Oreo. It allows the application window to shrink to a small floating rectangle that remains on top of all other interfaces. For WhatsApp this means that the video stream does not block the entire screen, but only takes up a small part of it. You can freely drag this window to any corner of the display, changing its size by simply pinching or spreading your fingers.
It is important to understand that the operation of this mode depends not only on the phone settings, but also on the rights that you have given to the application itself. If access to the PiP function is prohibited in the system permissions for the messenger, then minimizing the chat with video will not be possible with any manipulation. The system will perceive an attempt to minimize as a command to completely hide the application, which will stop the video transmission or switch to audio call mode.
In addition, it is worth taking into account the peculiarities of the processor and RAM of your device. On older or budget smartphone models, the system may forcefully close background processes to save resources, which can also interfere with the stable operation of video calling when minimized. Therefore, before setting up, make sure that your device meets the minimum technical requirements for comfortable multitasking.
⚠️ Attention: Some shells from manufacturers (for example, MIUI, EMUI or older versions of OneUI) may have their own aggressive power saving settings that block the operation of background windows even when the PiP system function is enabled.
Technical limitations of the mode PiP
Picture in Picture mode requires support from both the operating system and the application itself. If you have a very old version of Android (below 8.0) or an outdated version of WhatsApp, the feature may not be physically available. Also, some manufacturers prohibit this function at the firmware level in order to save battery.
Activating the function in the Android system settings
The first and most important step is to check the global settings of your operating system. This is where the main switch is located, allowing or prohibiting applications from using floating windows. The path to these settings may differ slightly depending on the brand of your smartphone, but the logic remains the same for all devices based on Android.
You need to go to the main settings of the device and find the section responsible for managing installed apps. It is usually called "Applications" or "Applications and Notifications". Inside this section you need to find a special item, which is often hidden in the “Advanced” or “Special Access” submenu. This is where the mode control is hidden Picture-in-Picture.
The sequence of actions for activation is as follows:
- 📱 Open
Settingsyour smartphone. - 📂 Go to the section
Applicationsand find in the listWhatsApp. - ⚙️ Find the item
Advanced(or three dots in the corner of the screen) and selectPicture in Picture. - ✅ Activate the switch
Allow picture in picture.
After completing these steps, the system will receive explicit permission from the user to display messenger windows on top of other apps. If this switch was turned off, then it was the reason why you could not minimize WhatsApp on Android so that there was a video. Now you can proceed to checking the settings inside the application itself.
☑️ Checking system permissions
Internal settings for video calls in WhatsApp
Even if the system allows the use of PiP, the application itself may have its own limitations. The messenger developers have provided a separate toggle switch to control this function inside the app interface. This is designed to allow users to decide for themselves whether they want video calls to be minimized or whether they prefer the connection to be interrupted when exiting the application.
To find this setting, open WhatsApp and go to the settings menu. Depending on the interface version, this item may be located in the “Chats” section or directly in the main list of parameters. Look for an option called “Picture-in-Picture” or “Picture-in-Picture”. Make sure the checkbox next to this item is checked. If it is disabled, the application will ignore system permissions and close the video when minimizing.
It is also worth paying attention to the quality of the video call. In some cases, if the Internet connection is poor, the application automatically turns off the video stream when it goes into the background in order to preserve the audio connection and not waste traffic. Therefore, for stable operation of the function, it is recommended to use a reliable connection Wi-Fi or a network 4G/5G with a good signal level.
If you cannot find the setting inside WhatsApp, try updating the application to the latest version via Google Play Market. In older versions, this menu item may have been missing or worked incorrectly.
Specifics of operation on Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei smartphones
Owners of devices from popular Chinese and Korean brands are often faced with additional layers of battery protection that can interfere with the operation of background processes. Manufacturers strive to maximize battery life, sometimes to the detriment of user convenience. Therefore, standard PiP activation may not be enough for devices such as Xiaomi, Samsung or Huawei.
On smartphones Xiaomi with the MIUI or HyperOS shell, you must additionally allow applications to display on top of other windows. This is done through the section “Advanced settings” -> “Privacy” -> “Special permissions” -> “Display on top of other applications”. Without this permission, the system will block the floating video window, considering it a potentially dangerous or resource-intensive process.
Devices Samsung with the OneUI shell have their own peculiarity: there the function can be called “Pop-up windows” or be part of the multitasking mode. Sometimes you need to activate a special switch in the quick settings panel. Below is a table with approximate paths to settings for different popular brands so that you can quickly navigate the interface of your phone.
| Smartphone brand | Settings section | Function name | Additional action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Applications -> Special permissions | Display on top of other applications | Allow for WhatsApp |
| Samsung | Applications -> Special access | Picture in Picture | Check battery |
| Huawei / Honor | Applications -> Launch applications | Manual control | Enable autorun |
| Google Pixel | Applications -> Advanced | Picture in Picture | No (works by default) |
⚠️ Attention: Android shell interfaces are constantly updated. If you do not find the specified menu items, use the search in the phone settings by entering the request “On top of others” or “Picture”.
How to properly minimize a call during a call
Now that all the settings have been checked and activated, let's look at the folding process itself. Many users make the mistake of trying to minimize the application before the video broadcast starts or immediately after a response. The correct algorithm of actions assumes that the video stream should already be active and displayed in full screen.
During a video call, when you see the other person, simply press the “Home” button (circle or swipe up gesture, depending on the type of navigation). If all the settings are correct, the interlocutor’s image should automatically shrink and “stick” to one of the corners of the screen. You can drag this window to any convenient area so that it does not overlap important interface elements of other apps.
If you use gesture navigation, make sure that you swipe to minimize, and not to close the application. A sharp upward swipe with a delay in the center of the screen is often interpreted by the system as a “Close all” command, which will lead to a disconnection. The movement should be smooth and fast, simulating pressing the physical Home button.
Minimizing only works when the video call is already installed and the image is being broadcast. Trying to minimize the application while dialing a number will not work.
Problem solving: why the video does not minimize
Despite the correct setting, users sometimes encounter a situation where minimizing WhatsApp on Android so that there is a video still fails. The video simply disappears, leaving a black screen or the call goes into audio mode. In such cases, the problem most often lies in a software version conflict or aggressive battery optimization.
The first thing to do when a crash occurs is to check for updates. Go to Google Play Market and make sure that you have the latest version installed WhatsApp. Also check for updates for the operating system itself in the Settings -> About phone -> System updatesection. Often, bugs that interfere with the operation of PiP are fixed by developers in new security patches.
The second common reason is the power saving mode. If you have Battery Saver or Ultra Power Saver mode enabled, the system can block background app activity to extend battery life. Try disabling this mode and trying the video call again. It is also worth adding WhatsApp to the list of exceptions for battery optimization so that the system does not “kill” its process when minimized.
In rare cases, clearing the application cache helps. Go to application settings, select WhatsApp and click “Clear cache” (not to be confused with clearing data, so as not to lose correspondence). This will delete temporary files that could become corrupted and cause a conflict when drawing a floating window.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations the problem persists, try restarting your smartphone. This will reset temporary system errors and reconfigure multitasking services.
What to do if the video lags in minimized mode?
If the picture in a small window slows down or freezes, this is a sign of insufficient RAM. Close other heavy applications (games, browser with many tabs) before starting a video call to free up CPU resources for WhatsApp to run smoothly.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I minimize a video call if I am using an old version of Android?
Officially Picture in mode picture" is only supported on Android versions 8.0 and higher. On older versions of the system, this function is not available at the kernel level, so it will not be possible to minimize video using standard tools. The only way out is to update the phone's firmware to the latest version, if the manufacturer provides such an option.
Why does the sound disappear when minimizing a video?
This can happen if the application's privacy settings prohibit access to the microphone in the background, or if a strict power saving mode is activated. Check the permissions for WhatsApp in your phone settings and make sure that microphone access is always allowed, and not just when using the application.
Can you resize the video call window?
Yes, in Picture-in-Picture mode you can resize the window. To do this, you need to pinch the window with two fingers (bring them together to zoom out or spread them apart to zoom in). However, the minimum and maximum sizes are limited by the system so that the window remains functional and does not cover the entire screen.
Does this feature work in group video calls?
Yes, the “Picture in Picture” mode also works for group video calls. You will see a grid with participants or an active speaker in a floating window. However, it is worth considering that group calls require more processor and Internet resources, so on weaker devices the picture quality in minimized mode may be lower.
What to do if the minimize button does not respond?
If pressing the “Home” button does not minimize the video, check whether you have Do Not Disturb mode or special game modes enabled, that block pop-ups. Also make sure that you do not use third-party launchers that can intercept gesture control and block PiP system functions.