YouTube is rolling out one of its most requested features to a much wider audience, making picture-in-picture (PiP) mode available to more users worldwide on iPhone and iPad.
The update removes one of the biggest limitations that previously restricted the feature to U.S. users or paid subscribers, signaling a major shift in how YouTube delivers multitasking features on mobile devices.
With this change, users across the globe will be able to watch videos in a small floating window while using other apps on their devices. Picture-in-picture allows videos to continue playing even after exiting the YouTube app, appearing in a movable mini player that can be resized or repositioned anywhere on the screen.
The rollout specifically benefits non-Premium users outside the United States, who previously didn’t have access to PiP on iOS. Now, these users will be able to use the feature for long-form, non-music content without needing a subscription. However, some limitations remain, as music playback in picture-in-picture mode is still reserved for YouTube Premium subscribers.
YouTube Premium and Premium Lite subscribers will continue to get a more complete experience, including support for additional content types and background playback features. Meanwhile, users in the U.S. who already had access to PiP won’t see any major changes, as the feature has been available there for some time.
The company says the update will roll out gradually over the coming months, meaning not all users will see it immediately. Once available, users can activate picture-in-picture simply by playing a video and swiping out of the app, allowing seamless multitasking without interrupting playback.
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This expansion marks another step in YouTube’s effort to make core features more accessible globally, while still keeping certain premium perks behind its subscription tiers.
