Picture-in-Picture on YouTube: What You Can Do Right Now
Picture-in-Picture lets you shrink a YouTube video into a small window that floats on top of other windows or tabs. You can watch while you work, browse, or use other programs. On PC, you have three ways to do this: through YouTube Premium, through your browser's built-in feature, or through a browser extension.
The fastest route depends on what you already have. If you pay for YouTube Premium, the feature is built in and works on any browser. If you don't have Premium, your browser may have a native Picture-in-Picture button, or you can add one with a free extension in seconds.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium subscribers can use Picture-in-Picture on any browser by right-clicking the video and selecting the option from the menu.
- Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all have a native Picture-in-Picture button you can use on any YouTube video without paying, though the button location differs by browser.
- If your browser doesn't show a Picture-in-Picture button, a free extension like Enhancer for YouTube or Video Pop-Out adds one in under a minute.
- The floating window can be resized and moved anywhere on your screen, and you can keep watching while you switch between tabs or other programs.
Using Picture-in-Picture with YouTube Premium
If you have a YouTube Premium subscription, Picture-in-Picture is available on any browser without extra steps. Start playing any video, then right-click directly on the video player. A menu will appear with several options, including "Picture-in-picture" near the bottom. Click it, and the video will shrink into a floating window.
The floating window appears in the corner of your screen by default, but you can drag it anywhere. Resize it by dragging the edges or corners. The video keeps playing while you work in other windows, and you can pause, play, or adjust volume from the small player itself.
Enabling Picture-in-Picture in Chrome
Chrome has a built-in Picture-in-Picture feature that works on YouTube without Premium. Play any video, then look for a small rectangle icon in the bottom right corner of the video player. That icon is the Picture-in-Picture button. Click it, and the video will pop into a floating window.
If you don't see the button, your version of Chrome may not have it enabled yet. Go to chrome://flags in your address bar, search for "Picture-in-Picture", and make sure it's set to "Enabled". Restart Chrome, and the button should appear on your next video.
Using Picture-in-Picture in Firefox, Edge, and Safari
Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari all include Picture-in-Picture support. In Firefox and Edge, hover over the video and a small icon (usually a rectangle or window shape) appears in the top right corner of the player. Click it to open the floating window. In Safari on Mac, right-click the video and select "Picture in Picture" from the menu.
The exact location of the button varies slightly between browsers, but all three work the same way once activated. The floating window behaves identically across browsers — you can move it, resize it, and keep watching while you switch tabs or open other programs.
Adding Picture-in-Picture with a Browser Extension
If your browser doesn't have a native Picture-in-Picture button or you prefer a different interface, free extensions add the feature in seconds. Enhancer for YouTube works on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge and adds a Picture-in-Picture button to every video. Video Pop-Out is another lightweight option for Chrome that does the same thing.
To install an extension, go to your browser's extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, or Edge Add-ons), search for the extension name, and click "Add to [Browser]". The extension installs when ready. Refresh YouTube, and the Picture-in-Picture button will appear on the next video you play. No configuration needed.
Controlling the Floating Window
Once Picture-in-Picture is active, the floating window responds to standard mouse controls. Click and drag the title bar or edge to move it anywhere on your screen. Drag the corners or edges to resize it — make it small to keep it out of the way, or larger if you want a better view. The video continues playing while you resize.
The floating window stays on top of other windows by default, so it won't disappear behind your browser or other programs. You can pause, play, skip forward or backward, and adjust volume using the controls on the small player. Close the window by clicking the X button, and the video returns to normal size in your browser tab.
Troubleshooting Picture-in-Picture Issues
If the Picture-in-Picture button doesn't appear, first check whether you're using a supported browser. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all support it natively. If you're using a different browser, an extension is your best option. Refresh the page and try again — sometimes the button takes a moment to load.
If you installed an extension and it's not working, make sure it's enabled in your browser's extension settings. Go to your browser's extension management page (usually found in Settings or by typing the extension name in the address bar) and confirm the extension is toggled on. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the extension. Some extensions conflict with each other, so disable other video-related extensions and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Picture-in-Picture on YouTube without Premium?
Yes. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all have built-in Picture-in-Picture buttons that work on any YouTube video for free. If your browser doesn't show the button, a free extension like Enhancer for YouTube adds one.
Does Picture-in-Picture work on all YouTube videos?
It works on most videos, but some content creators or copyright holders restrict the feature. If the button doesn't appear on a specific video, that restriction is likely the reason. Try another video to confirm the feature itself is working.
Can I resize the floating window to any size I want?
Yes. Drag any edge or corner to make it larger or smaller. The window will stay whatever size you set it to until you close it or resize it again.
Will the video keep playing if I switch to another browser tab?
Yes. The floating window plays independently of your browser tabs, so you can switch between tabs, open other programs, or even minimize your browser and the video keeps playing.
What happens if I close the Picture-in-Picture window?
The video returns to normal size in your YouTube tab and continues playing from where it left off. You can open Picture-in-Picture again at any time by clicking the button.