How to Fix YouTube Picture-in-Picture Not Working on Android?

YouTube Picture-in-Picture may not work due to various reasons including gesture controls, geographic restrictions, or use of 3^rd party launchers. Some users have reported that while Picture-in-Picture (PiP) worked, it lacked controls such as pause or audio adjustments. Additionally, the PiP option in YouTube’s settings may sometimes be disabled unexpectedly.

Before we delve into solutions to fix the PiP issue on YouTube, it’s important to know that PiP mode is available to both YouTube Premium subscribers and non-subscribers on Android phones, with certain limitations for non-premium users, such as it being ad-supported and not available for music content. Additionally, ensure that your geographical region supports this feature and you’re not trying to use it on copyright-restricted videos.

Solution 1: Restart Your Phone

PiP issues could stem from temporary communication or application glitches within your phone. Restarting the device can often clear these glitches:

1. Press the power button until the power menu appears, then tap Power off.
2. Wait for your phone to shut down completely before turning it back on.
3. After the restart, check whether the YouTube PiP feature is functioning correctly.

Solution 2: Enable Picture in Picture Feature in YouTube and Phone’s Settings

For YouTube’s PiP mode to function correctly, ensure it’s enabled in both YouTube’s settings and your phone’s settings:

1. Open your phone’s Settings and go to the Application Manager or Apps.

   

2. Tap on the More button and select Configure Apps.

   

3. Select Special Access and then Picture-in-Picture.

   

4. Toggle the switch to enable PiP for YouTube.

   

5. Open the YouTube app and tap on your user profile icon.
6. Go to Settings and select General.
7. Toggle the switch to enable PiP and verify that the issue is resolved.

   

8. If not, play a video, swipe down to access the notifications tray, tap on Settings, and check if PiP is now working properly.

Solution 3: Switch to Another YouTube Account

A temporary glitch with your YouTube account can also cause PiP problems. Switching to another account may resolve this:

1. Open the YouTube app and tap on the user profile icon.
2. Select Switch Account and choose a different account, or add one if necessary.

   

3. Relaunch the app to see if the PiP function is working correctly.

Solution 4: Play the Video in Landscape Mode in YouTube

YouTube’s PiP mode was primarily designed for landscape mode. If you’re trying to activate it in portrait orientation, consider switching to landscape mode:

1. Open YouTube and start playing a video.
2. Keep the video in portrait mode, press the Home button to activate PiP, and check if it’s functioning correctly.

Solution 5: Disable Gesture Controls (or Use 3 Button Navigation) on Your Phone

PiP is typically activated by pressing the home button while a video is playing. If your phone uses gesture controls without a home button, disabling gestures or using button navigation might help:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings and select System.
2. Choose Gestures and then select System Navigation.

   

3. Activate the 3-Button Navigation option and check if the PiP issue is resolved.

   

4. If not, try tapping the bottom right corner of the screen, where the PiP window usually appears, to see if this resolves the issue.

   

5. Alternatively, launch the video and quickly tap on the back button several times to see if this brings up the PiP screen.

Solution 6: Revert to the Stock Launcher of Your Phone

Third-party launchers may interfere with PiP and other features. Reverting to your phone’s stock launcher may resolve these issues:

1. Open your phone’s Settings, go to Application Manager or Apps.
2. Choose More and then select Configure Apps.
3. In the default section, select Home App and change it to the stock launcher.
4. Restart your phone and check if the PiP issue is resolved.

Solution 7: Update the YouTube Application to the Latest Build

Regular updates to the YouTube app include new features and bug fixes. If you’re using an outdated version of the app, updating to the latest build may solve PiP issues:

1. Open the Google Play Store and access the menu by tapping on the hamburger icon.
2. Select My Apps & Games and navigate to the Installed tab.
3. Find YouTube and tap on the Update button if an update is available.

   

4. After the update, test to see if YouTube’s PiP feature is now working.
5. If not, try playing a video and using the split-screen feature, then bring YouTube back to full screen to check if operations have normalized.

Solution 8: Clear the Cache of the YouTube Application

The YouTube app’s cache can enhance performance, but if it becomes corrupted, it may cause issues. Clearing the app’s cache could resolve this:

1. Exit the YouTube app and open your phone’s Settings.
2. Enter Application Manager or Apps and select YouTube.

   

3. Tap on Force Stop, confirm the action, then access the Storage settings.

   

4. Press Clear Cache and see if the app functions properly.

   

5. If the issue persists, repeat steps 1 to 5, and in the Storage settings, tap on Clear Data.
6. Confirm to delete the data, which may require you to re-enter your credentials, and check if the YouTube PiP functionality is restored.
7. If the problem remains, play a video and tap on the Share icon. Without sharing the video, go back to the video and see if PiP mode returns.

Solution 9: Use the Chrome Browser on Your Phone

If none of the above solutions have worked, you can try using the Chrome browser on your phone to utilize PiP with YouTube:

1. Enable the PiP option in your phone’s settings for Chrome, akin to the steps described in Solution 2 for the YouTube app.
2. Launch Chrome on your phone and search for YouTube via the search bar.
3. Tap on the 3 vertical dots to open the menu and check the Desktop Site option.

   

4. Long-press the first search result for YouTube and select Open in New Tab.
5. Switch to this tab and make sure it’s in Desktop Site mode.
6. Play a video and check if the PiP functionality is available through the browser.

If these solutions do not resolve your issue, consider using YouTube on a different device or a third-party app that supports YouTube PiP functionality.