After offering in the US, YouTube is making picture-in-picture (PiP) mode free for all users around the world.
Top comment by MaxM
I found it surprising that YouTube and Google hadn't been sanctioned by the courts for this feature for years. They simply neglected the basic functionality itself, forcing it into Premium when it was already circumvented through workarounds (like multi-window). I could understand if it were an advertisement, though.
Free, non-YouTube Premium subscribers around the world will be able to use Picture-in-Picture for “longform, non-music content” on the Android and iOS apps.
To activate PiP, start a video and then exit the YouTube app to continue using your phone while it keeps playing. You’ll see a small player window that you can resize and move around. Tap for play/pause controls and to return to the full app.
There are no changes for paying customers today:
- Premium Lite Members: You will continue to be able to use PiP for longform, non-music content on Android and iOS.
- Premium Members: Premium members will continue to enjoy PiP for both music (exclusive to Premium only) and non-music content, creating a fully uninterrupted experience.
Free picture-in-picture is rolling out now and will be available to “all users globally in the coming months.”
More on YouTube:
- YouTube TV officially launches fully custom multiview – here’s where it doesn’t work
- YouTube ads surface in subscriptions feed as side-by-side ads hit more live content
- YouTube Music rolls out split-view Now Playing redesign on Android, iOS
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