How to enable Picture-in-Picture mode on your iPad

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, including the 2018 iPad and iPad Pro, and the 2019 iPad mini and iPad Air.

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

  1. Tap the video you're watching.

  2. Tap the picture-in-picutre button in one of the corners of the video window.

    Tap pnp button

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. Pinch two fingers together to shrink the PnP window.

  2. Spread two fingers apart on the window to expand the PnP window.

    Pinch two fingers, spread two fingers

To reposition it, you simply drag the window with one finger.

Drag the window

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. Drag the PnP window all the way to the left or right of the screen.

  2. Tap the PnP window tray to bring the window back out onto the screen.

    Drag PnP window to screen edge, tap tray

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.

    Return, play/pause, close

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.

    Open Settings, tap General

  3. Tap on Multitasking & Dock.

  4. Switch Picture in Picture to the white off position.

    Tap on Multitasking & Dock, tap the switch

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.

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