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Maximize Productivity with Android’s Picture-in-Picture Mode - A User’s Handbook

What to Know

• Go toSettings >Apps >Special app access >Picture-in-picture .
• When you see the list of compatible apps, select one and then tapAllow picture-in-picture .
• To activate PiP, start playing the video in full screen and then return to the Home Screen.

This article explains how to use picture-in-picture on Android. The instructions apply to all devices running Android 8.0 or later.

How to Enable Picture-in-Picture for an Android App

The Special app access area of the Settings app is where the PiP option is stored on Android. Here’s how to get there to turn on picture-in-picture for any supported app:

1. OpenSettings .
2. TapApps orApps & notifications .
3. TapSpecial app access .
   On older versions of Android, tapAdvanced >Special app access .
4. TapPicture-in-picture .
   
5. Choose an app from the list.

6. Tap theAllow picture-in-picture toggle to turn on PiP.
   

How to Activate Picture-in-Picture

As long as picture-in-picture is turned on in the Android settings, you can trigger it by simply returning to the Home Screen. For example, when a full screen video is playing in Google Chrome, pressHome to activate PiP.

Update your Android apps andupdate the Android OS if picture-in-picture isn’t working for a supported app.

When you’ve figured out how to launch PiP in your favorite app, you’ll see a window with your video or other content.

Tap the window to access the controls. In some cases, you’ll see the standard video playback controls, likePlay/Pause andFull screen . Some videos have fewer controls, possibly just anExit icon. Some apps have a headphone icon you can tap to play audio in the background without seeing the video.

Tap and hold the picture-in-picture window to reposition it. You can drag it up or down and pinch the PiP window to resize it. To close the picture-in-picture window, either tap theX in the corner or drag the video to the bottom of the screen into theX bubble.

Apps That Work With Picture-in-Picture

Since this is an Android feature, many of Google’s top apps support picture-in-picture, includingChrome andGoogle Maps . Here are some other compatible apps:

• Amazon Music
• Disney+
• Google Drive
• Facebook
• Firefox
• Gmail
• Hulu
• Instagram
• Netflix
• Pocket Casts
• Tubi
• TikTok
• Uber
• VLC
• WhatsApp
• X (formerly Twitter)

YouTube’s PiP mode requires a subscription to YouTube Premium if you’re not in the US. For US users, only some content will work without paying (music videos are one exception). Picture-in-picture also works withYouTube TV , the company’s streaming TV service.

Revisit Step 5 above to see which of your installed apps work with picture-in-picture mode.

What Is Picture-in-Picture?

Picture-in-picture (PiP) is an optional multitasking feature. It shrinks a video stream or other content into its own box on top of your other apps so that the rest of the screen can be used for other tasks. For instance, you can search for a restaurant in your web browser app while video chatting or watching a video.

PiP is a nice feature for heavy multitaskers who jump from app to app. It’s available on Android smartphones running Android 8.0 Oreo and later.

How to Use Split Screen on Android

FAQ

• How do I send a picture in a text message on Android?
  To send pictures via text on an Android device, open thePhotos app, tap and hold the picture you want to text, tapShare >Messages . In the Messages app, tap theplus (+ ) sign to open attachment options, then tap thePhotos icon to browse and select photos to text.
• How do I hide pictures on an Android phone?
  Tohide photos on an Android phone , open Google Photos, select the pictures you want to hide, tapMenu (three vertical dots), and selectMove to Archive . Alternatively, your Android model may include a “secure folder,” or you can use a third-party app to hide pictures.
• How do I recover deleted pictures on Android?
  Torecover deleted photos on Android , try an app like DiskDigger. Download the DiskDigger app and give it access to your media files. Select Start basic photo scan ; when you see the image you want to recover, tap the box in the upper-left corner > tap Recover at the top of the screen.

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