How to Enable Picture in Picture on iPad and iPhone (iOS 16)

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. Sign Up. *

Picture in Picture (PiP mode) allows you to watch videos and movies or chat on FaceTime while working in other apps. Originally only available for the iPad, you can now use your iPhone for Picture in Picture, and capabilities have expanded to include YouTube Picture in Picture mode, with some caveats. Let's go over how to multitask on an iPad and iPhone using Picture in Picture.

Related: What iPad Do I Have? How to Identify Apple's iPad Models & Generations

Discover your iPhone's hidden features

Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

How to Turn Picture in Picture on iPad & iPhone

The Picture in Picture feature is only available on certain models of iPad. It will work on any iPad Pro, all iPads 5th generation and later, the iPad Air 2 and later, and the iPad mini 4 and later. It works on every iPhone supporting iOS 14 or later. Be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter for info on new features and software updates to your Apple devices.

Important Notes: This feature is not compatible with all video players. I have confirmed that it works with FaceTime, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Safari. It does not work in the Photos app. YouTube Picture in Picture support has recently been added, which we'll go over in a section below. Also note that while most compatible video players will have a Picture in Picture button (a large rectangle with an arrow pointing down-right to a small rectangle), some (like the Prime Video player and Netflix, in my experience) do not show this, and only the swipe method described below works.

How to Do Picture in Picture on iPad & iPhone

How to Turn On Picture in Picture on iPad & iPhone

1. While watching a video in a compatible video player or during a FaceTime call, swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Picture in Picture. Make sure your video is playing while you do this. If you swipe up on a paused video, you may simply close the app or open the App Switcher instead.
   
   
2. If you are using a video player instead of FaceTime, you may see the Picture in Picture icon, which looks like a box with an arrow pointing to another box. You can tap the PiP icon to enter Picture in Picture mode.
   
   

How to Use iPhone & iPad Picture in Picture Controls

1. From here, you can drag the Picture in Picture screen to a new position. 
   
   
2. To hide the video, drag it off the edge of the screen. 
   
   
3. Tap or drag the gray arrow icon to make the video reappear. 
   
   
4. Place your thumb and index finger on the screen and pinch them together to zoom out and make the Picture in Picture screen smaller.
   
   
5. Place your thumb and index finger on the screen and pull them apart to zoom in and make the screen larger. 
   
   
6. To return to full-screen mode from FaceTime, tap the Picture in Picture screen.  
   
   
7. From a video player, you'll need to tap the PiP icon to reenter full-screen mode.
   
   

If you really enjoy this iPad feature, you can also learn how to use Picture in Picture on iPhone.