Mastering Picture in Picture on Your iPad: A Complete Guide
Ever wished you could watch your favorite show while jotting down notes for a meeting, or stay on a FaceTime call while Browse recipes? Well, your iPad is more powerful than you think, and the answer to this multitasking dream is Picture in Picture (PiP)! It's a game-changer for productivity and entertainment, allowing a video or FaceTime call to float in a smaller, resizable window while you navigate other apps.
Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your iPad's multitasking capabilities? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Ensuring Your iPad is Ready for PiP
Before we jump into the magic, let's quickly confirm your iPad is set up for Picture in Picture. It's a core iPadOS feature, but a quick check never hurts!
Sub-heading 1.1: Check Your iPad Model and iPadOS Version
Picture in Picture is available on a wide range of iPad models running modern iPadOS versions. Generally, if your iPad is an iPad Pro (any model), iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air 2 or later, or iPad mini 4 or later, you're good to go.
To verify your iPadOS version:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on About.
- Look for "Software Version." Ensure it's running a relatively recent iPadOS version (iPadOS 14 or later is generally required for widespread PiP functionality). If not, consider updating your software in
Settings > General > Software Update.
Sub-heading 1.2: Enable "Start PiP Automatically"
This setting ensures that when you leave a compatible app playing video, it automatically shrinks into a Picture in Picture window.
- Go to Settings on your iPad.
- Tap on General.
- Select Picture in Picture.
- Make sure the toggle for "Start PiP Automatically" is turned on (green).
Step 2: Activating Picture in Picture
Now for the exciting part – getting that video or call to float! There are a couple of primary ways to initiate Picture in Picture.
Sub-heading 2.1: Using the Home Button or Swipe Gesture
This is the most common and universal method for activating PiP.
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Start your video or FaceTime call: Open an app that supports Picture in Picture (e.g., Apple TV, Safari, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, FaceTime, etc.) and begin playing a video or start a FaceTime call.
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Go to your Home Screen:
- If your iPad has a Home button: Simply press the Home button once.
- If your iPad does not have a Home button (Face ID models): Swipe up from the very bottom edge of the screen to return to your Home Screen.
Voila! The video or FaceTime call should now shrink into a small, floating window in one corner of your screen, continuing to play.
Sub-heading 2.2: Tapping the PiP Icon (When Available)
Some apps offer a dedicated Picture in Picture icon within their video player controls. This is often represented by a square with an arrow pointing down and to the right into a smaller square (or similar variations).
- Play your video: Start playing a video in a compatible app.
- Look for the PiP icon: While the video is playing, tap on the video player to reveal the controls. Scan for the Picture in Picture icon.
- Tap the icon: Tapping this icon will immediately shrink the video into a PiP window, allowing you to then navigate to other apps.
Keep in mind: Not all apps display this icon, even if they support PiP. In such cases, the Home button/swipe gesture method (Sub-heading 2.1) is your reliable fallback.
Step 3: Mastering Your PiP Window
Once you have your video or FaceTime call in a Picture in Picture window, you have several ways to interact with it.
Sub-heading 3.1: Moving the PiP Window
Don't like where it landed? No problem!
- Drag and Drop: Simply tap and hold on the PiP window, then drag your finger to any of the four corners of your iPad screen. It will snap into place.
Sub-heading 3.2: Resizing the PiP Window
Need a bigger view or want it smaller to get it out of the way?
- Pinch to Zoom: Use a two-finger pinch gesture on the PiP window.
- Pinch open (spread your fingers apart): To make the window larger.
- Pinch closed (bring your fingers together): To make the window smaller. You'll notice there are typically three sizes available.
Sub-heading 3.3: Showing and Hiding Controls
Sometimes you need to pause, play, or jump back to full screen.
- Single Tap: Simply tap once on the Picture in Picture window. This will reveal playback controls (play/pause, close button, full-screen button) and sometimes a rewind/fast-forward option depending on the app. Tapping again will hide them.
Sub-heading 3.4: Temporarily Hiding the PiP Window
If you need the full screen for a moment but don't want to close the PiP, you can temporarily push it off-screen.
- Swipe Off-Screen: Drag the PiP window swiftly towards the left or right edge of your screen and release. It will partially disappear, leaving only a small tab visible.
- Bring it Back: To make it reappear, tap on the visible tab or drag it back onto the screen.
Sub-heading 3.5: Returning to Full Screen
Want to go back to the original app and full-screen view?
- Tap the Full-Screen Icon: Tap on the PiP window to reveal controls, then tap the full-screen icon (often a square with two arrows pointing outwards). This will bring the video or call back to its original app and full size.
Sub-heading 3.6: Closing the PiP Window
When you're done with Picture in Picture, it's easy to close it.
- Tap the Close Icon: Tap on the PiP window to reveal controls, then tap the "X" button (usually in the top-left corner of the window). This will close the Picture in Picture window entirely.
Step 4: Optimizing Your PiP Experience
While Picture in Picture is generally seamless, here are a few tips to make your experience even better.
Sub-heading 4.1: App Compatibility is Key
Not all apps support Picture in Picture. While many popular video streaming apps (Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV, etc.), Safari for web videos, and FaceTime work flawlessly, some apps might not have implemented the feature or might require specific subscriptions (like YouTube Premium for PiP in the YouTube app). If an app doesn't go into PiP, try playing the content through Safari if possible.
Sub-heading 4.2: Managing Multiple PiP Windows (Advanced)
While rare, some specific scenarios or third-party apps might allow for more complex multi-window setups. However, for standard video and FaceTime, iPadOS focuses on one primary PiP window at a time. If you initiate a new PiP, the existing one might close or swap.
Sub-heading 4.3: Consider Third-Party PiP Apps
If you frequently encounter apps that don't support PiP (like YouTube without a Premium subscription, as of current information), there are third-party apps available on the App Store (e.g., PiP-it!) that can help force content into Picture in Picture mode. Always check reviews and privacy policies before downloading.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Common PiP Issues
Sometimes things don't work as expected. Here's what to do if Picture in Picture isn't behaving.
Sub-heading 5.1: PiP Not Activating
- Check "Start PiP Automatically" setting: Double-check that it's enabled in
Settings > General > Picture in Picture. - Ensure video is playing: The video needs to be actively playing when you exit the app or tap the PiP icon. If it's paused, it won't go into PiP.
- App Compatibility: As mentioned, verify if the app you're using is known to support Picture in Picture.
- App-specific settings: Some apps, like YouTube, have their own in-app PiP settings that need to be enabled in addition to the system-wide setting. Check the app's settings.
- Restart the App: Force quit the app (swipe up from the bottom, then swipe the app card off the screen) and reopen it.
- Restart your iPad: A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches.
- Update iPadOS and the App: Ensure both your iPadOS and the app itself are updated to their latest versions. Outdated software can cause issues.
Sub-heading 5.2: PiP Window Disappearing or Not Responding
- Accidental Swipe-Off: You might have accidentally swiped it off-screen. Look for the small tab on the side and tap it.
- System Glitch: Restarting your iPad often fixes unresponsive PiP windows.
- Conflicting Apps: Very rarely, another app might interfere. Try closing other open apps.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to turn on Picture in Picture on iPad?
You can turn on Picture in Picture by enabling "Start PiP Automatically" in Settings > General > Picture in Picture. Once enabled, play a video in a compatible app and then swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or press the Home button) to go to your Home Screen, and the video will shrink into a PiP window.
How to move Picture in Picture on iPad?
To move the Picture in Picture window, simply tap and hold on the window, then drag it to any of the four corners of your iPad's screen.
How to resize Picture in Picture on iPad?
You can resize the Picture in Picture window by using a two-finger pinch gesture on the window. Pinch open to make it larger, and pinch closed to make it smaller.
How to close Picture in Picture on iPad?
Tap the Picture in Picture window once to reveal the controls, then tap the "X" icon (usually in the top-left corner of the window) to close it.
How to bring Picture in Picture back to full screen on iPad?
Tap the Picture in Picture window once to reveal the controls, then tap the full-screen icon (often a square with two arrows pointing outwards) to return the video or call to its original app and full size.
How to temporarily hide Picture in Picture on iPad?
Drag the Picture in Picture window quickly towards the left or right edge of your screen. It will slide off, leaving a small tab. Tap the tab to bring it back.
How to check if an app supports Picture in Picture on iPad?
Generally, if an app plays video, it likely supports PiP. You can test it by starting a video and then swiping up or pressing the Home button. Popular apps like Apple TV, Safari, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and FaceTime typically support it.
How to fix Picture in Picture not working for YouTube on iPad?
For YouTube, ensure you have a YouTube Premium subscription. Also, check YouTube's in-app settings for a Picture in Picture option. Additionally, confirm that "Start PiP Automatically" is enabled in your iPad's Settings > General > Picture in Picture.
How to use Picture in Picture with FaceTime on iPad?
During a FaceTime call, simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or press the Home button) to go to your Home Screen. The FaceTime call will then appear in a small PiP window.
How to get Picture in Picture on older iPads?
Picture in Picture is supported on iPad Pro (all models), iPad (5th generation and later), iPad Air 2 and later, and iPad mini 4 and later, provided they are running iPadOS 14 or later. If your iPad model is older than these, it unfortunately may not support Picture in Picture.
