Mountain View: YouTube has acknowledged an issue affecting its Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature on both iPhone and Android devices, with the majority of reports coming from iOS users. The Google-owned video streaming platform said some users are unable to activate the floating video player when exiting the YouTube app, prompting the company to investigate the problem.
Instead of displaying the PiP window, affected users report that the video disappears while only the audio continues playing in the background, disrupting the intended multitasking experience.
YouTube confirms the issue
In an official update posted on its Help forum, YouTube said it is aware of the problem and is actively working to identify its cause.
The company stated that some users are “experiencing issues with the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature failing to trigger when exiting the YouTube app.”
According to YouTube, engineering teams are investigating the issue, although no timeline has been provided for a fix.
iPhone users most affected
While the bug has been reported on both Android and iOS devices, YouTube said the overwhelming majority of complaints have come from iPhone users.
The company added that it has received significantly fewer reports from Android users, suggesting the issue is more widespread on Apple’s mobile operating system.
Users experiencing the problem may notice that videos stop displaying after leaving the app, even though audio playback continues in the background.
What is Picture-in-Picture mode?
Picture-in-Picture is a multitasking feature that allows users to continue watching a YouTube video in a small floating window while using other apps or browsing their device.
The floating player can be moved around the screen and resized, enabling users to watch content without keeping the YouTube app open.
The feature has become popular among users who want to reply to messages, browse the web or use other applications while continuing to watch videos.
Availability of the feature
YouTube initially introduced Picture-in-Picture with limited availability before expanding access to more users.
Today, the feature is available on supported Android and iPhone devices, although availability may vary depending on the user’s location, account type and the content being played.
Some features and restrictions may also differ between YouTube Premium subscribers and free users.
Possible workaround
Until YouTube rolls out a permanent fix, users experiencing the issue may want to check whether Picture-in-Picture is enabled in the app settings.
The feature can be managed by opening the YouTube app, navigating to Settings > Playback, and ensuring the Picture-in-Picture option is turned on.
Users should also verify that Picture-in-Picture permissions are enabled in their device’s operating system settings, as disabling the permission can prevent the floating player from appearing.
Google investigating the bug
Although YouTube has acknowledged the issue, the company has not yet shared details about the underlying cause or when users can expect a software update.
With Picture-in-Picture widely used for multitasking, especially on smartphones, the company is expected to prioritise resolving the issue.
For now, affected users are advised to monitor YouTube’s official Help forum and app updates for further information as Google continues its investigation.