YouTube announced that it is adding an option for YouTube Premium subscribers who use iOS to turn on a picture-in-picture (PiP) feature for a limited time.
YouTube adds picture-in-picture on iOS
YouTube says that the feature will be available until 31 October 2021. It is among the new experimental features for YouTube Premium users.
iOS users will now be able to watch YouTube videos in a mini player while using other apps. This feature is a much-demanded feature.
People have always been complaining about how they can’t open YouTube while they have other apps open. While you can use a split-screen to watch on other phones, YouTube still hadn’t added the feature on their app.
How to use the feature
To turn the feature on or to use it, rather, you need to swipe up or press home. Doing this will close the app and whatever you are watching on the app will appear in a mini player. From there, you can open any other app you want to open. Say you want to read your WhatsApp messages, you will be able to do that with no hassle.
If you lock the screen while watching in PiP, the video will pause until you unlock the screen using the lock screen media controls. YouTube says that it is working to improve this feature and this is the first step in the testing process.
It is also very important to note that you have to be a Premium user to try out the feature. So, before you can tap the button “Try Out”, you might be asked to sign in to your account first. It is not clear if the feature will be available to everyone, including the people who use android phones, once it has passed the testing stages of course.