New Picture-in-Picture Mode for YouTube on Android

Google is currently experimenting with a new design for the mini player on YouTube for Android, which functions as an in-app picture-in-picture (PiP) feature.

YouTube is implementing a major update for its Android app that will bring a genuine picture-in-picture (PiP) mode within the app itself.

This characteristic, discovered by Android Police on a Galaxy S24 Ultra using YouTube version 19.29.37, enables users to reduce the size of videos into a player that can be adjusted and moved around while navigating through the app.

Currently, YouTube’s PiP functionality is only available when users exit the app. This feature was first introduced in the US in 2022 and was later expanded globally. However, videos within the app have been limited to a fixed minibar at the bottom of the screen since its debut. With this latest update, users will now have the ability to move and resize the PiP window, providing a more versatile viewing experience.

Google has verified with AndroidPolice that they are currently testing a new update which will allow viewers to adjust the size and position of the miniplayer while watching a video. This feature is currently being tested by a select group of users on mobile, tablet, and web platforms.

The rollout is being implemented gradually and is currently only accessible to a chosen group of users. As a result, even if you update your app to the most recent version, you may not be able to view it.

If this update is widely adopted, it would represent the most significant alteration to YouTube’s mobile video playback since the minibar was first introduced in 2018.

While YouTube Premium does not currently offer this feature as part of its services or experimental options, it is worth noting its significance. Although the timeline for a broader release is uncertain, this modification has the potential to enhance the user experience by simplifying the process of browsing through your YouTube feed while simultaneously watching a video.