Who needs a TV when you can have a second screen right on your iPad in the form of picture-in-picture multitasking?

Picture-in-picture (PiP) isn't a new concept: It's existed on television and computer displays for years to let you view multiple items simultaneously. On the iPad, picture-in-picture lets you watch video from an app or the web while working in other programs.

Note: Developers need to enable PiP support in their apps or web services in order for it to work. If you don't see the PiP button on your favorite app or web site, let the developer know you want it.

What iPad models support picture-in-picture mode?

All iPad models after the iPad Air and iPad mini 2 support picture-in-picture.

How to enter picture-in-picture mode on the iPad

  1. Launch a supported video app or web video.
  2. Play the video.

  3. Tap the PiP button to enter picture-in-picture mode.

Picture-in-picture mode will also launch automatically if you leave a PiP-enabled app while the video is playing. (That's how you can put FaceTime into PiP mode, for example.)

How to adjust the picture-in-picture window on the iPad

Picture-in-picture video defaults to roughly quarter-screen size (with amble transparent border) and the lower left-hand side of the display, but you can easily resize and reposition it.

  1. Touch two fingers down on the PiP.
  2. Pinch your fingers together to shrink the PiP.
  3. Spread your fingers apart to expand the PiP.
  4. Release the window.

To reposition it, you simply drag.

  1. Touch one finger down on the PiP.
  2. Drag the PiP to any of the other corners.
  3. Let go.

If you need to use your full iPad screen for something else but don't want to stop listening to the video's audio, instead of closing the picture-in-picture window, you can simply tuck it away for a time.

  1. Touch one finger down on the PiP.
  2. Drag the PiP sideways off the screen.

A small tab will remain visible so you can pull the PiP back out again when you want to continue watching.

  1. Touch one finger down on the PiP tab.
  2. Drag the PiP sideways back on screen.

How to interact with the picture-in-picture window


In addition to the multitouch controls, there are three hover buttons on the PiP pane itself:

  • Return to app, which has two rectangles and an arrow; tapping it will return the video to its original app and restore it to full screen.
  • Play/pause, which does what it says.
  • Close, which will end video playback.

How to disable PiP video on the iPad

Because the picture-in-picture video can start automatically when you leave an app during playback, and that might not be what you want, Apple gives you a way to disable it.

  1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Tap on Multitasking.

  4. Switch Persistent Video Overlay to Off.

To re-enable it, simply repeat the process and switch Persistent Video Overlay to On.

Other questions about picture-in-picture mode?

Let us know in the comments.

iPad Pro