The iPad's multitasking has evolved a lot and, among its options, the most loved by many is Picture in Picture (PiP)This floating view lets you continue watching a video or video call while doing other things on your iPad without losing track of anything.
In this guide you will learn how to activate and control PiP, move and resize the window, hide it when it gets in the way and return to full screen, as well as master the modes Split View, Slide Over, Gestures, Drag & Drop and other productivity tips. We'll also review what's changing on iPhone, what's happening with apps like YouTube, and the new features mentioned for iPadOS in future releases.
What is Picture-in-Picture?
Picture-in-Picture is a multitasking feature that puts video playback in the background. a floating overlay window over any other app. You can move that box to all four corners, varying between various sizes so it doesn't get in the way while you continue working or browsing.
PiP keeps the video in the foreground even when you switch apps, so you can, for example, watch a series while answering emails, following a tutorial in Safari, or managing your files. Works with compatible apps and services and offers basic controls within the window itself for moving forward, back, and pausing.
Among its features are the persistent overlay, size customization, the ability to temporarily hide it to the side, and the freedom to position it. Within the Apple ecosystem, compatibility is widespread across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, facilitating a consistent experience across devices.
How to activate PiP on iPad
There are several ways to get Picture in Picture up and running on the iPad, designed to cover both native apps and many web players. The easiest method consists of exiting the video app while it is playing in full screen.
If you're watching a video, swipe up from the bottom edge to go to the home screen. Playback will automatically skip to a floating window that you can move. On an iPad with a Home button, you can press it for the same effect during a FaceTime call or while watching a compatible video.
In many players a specific PiP button (an icon of two rectangles with an arrow) when the video is in full screen. Tap it, and the clip will jump to thumbnail view without closing the main app, which is more reliable than minimizing it on some streaming services.
Control the PiP window: move, resize, hide, and return to full screen
Once active, the video frame is fully manipulable. To resizePinch with two fingers: spread to zoom in and pinch together to zoom out. You can alternate between different sizes until you find the one that's the least in your way.
If you would like to move the video To move the window to another corner, tap and drag it to any side of the screen. Sometimes, if it's at its maximum size, you might want to shrink it a bit to fit it comfortably in the desired top corner.
To hide it temporarily, drag the box beyond the left or right edge. The audio continues to play, and a small tab with an arrow will appear; tap it to resume playback instantly without pausing.
If you tap on the window the controls are displayed: there are options for close PiP, pause/resume, skip forward or back 15 seconds and a button to return to fullscreen within the original app. Tap it and playback will return to its original location.
Picture-in-picture with FaceTime and other videos
During a FaceTime call or watching a compatible video, you can activate PiP to take care of other tasks. On an iPad with a Home button, simply press it to start the call or video. reduce to a corner and you can open another app without cutting the conversation.
From the floating window you can show or hide controls Tap it once, move it to another corner with a quick drag, and even hide it outside the border to continue listening without it obscuring the content. When you want to return to full screen, just tap the corresponding control and you're done.
How to use PiP on iPhone
Operation on iPhone is similar; see Picture-in-Picture multitasking on iPhone. If you're watching a video in Safari, Apple TV, Netflix, or another supported app, swipe up from the bottom to go home; on models with Touch ID, press the home button. The video will jump to PiP.
On iPhone also appears the PiP button When playing in full screen, tapping it will convert the video into a floating window without leaving the app—ideal when a service doesn't activate PiP when minimized.
Activate PiP from Settings on iPhone
To have it automatically turn on when you quit an app, go to Settings > General > Picture in Picture and activate “Start PiP mode automatically.” It often comes enabled by default, but it’s a good idea to check.
Some apps, like YouTube, may have their own internal setting for PiP. If you find that it won't launch, check your setup menu and enable the option if it exists, because they may manage it separately from the system.
YouTube and PiP support
On iPhone and iPad, YouTube only allows PiP in general with YouTube Premium subscriptionIf you're not a Premium subscriber and live in the US, it may work for certain content, but there are restrictions, especially with music videos.
To use the feature in the YouTube app, start playback and exit the appIf the option is enabled, the video will switch to a PiP window. If you prefer to avoid this, pause or stop playback before exiting. You can also use Safari to watch YouTube and activate PiP from the browser when the web player allows it.
Multitasking on iPad: Ways to open two apps and work side by side
Beyond PiP, the iPad offers several ways to combine apps with Split View, Slide Over, and separate windows. You can start from the Multitasking menu, the Dock, or Spotlight, whichever is most convenient for you at any given time.
From the Multitasking button
Open an app and tap the Multitasking button at the top. You'll see the Split View and Slide Over icons: choose one, the app will move to the side, and the home screen will appear so you can select the second app.
- If you choose Split View, both apps sit side by side, sharing the screen.
- If you choose Slide Over, the main app remains full screen and the second one is placed in a side floating window that you can move from left to right.
from the dock
With an app open, gently swipe up from the bottom until you see the Dock and release. Press and hold the app icon. second app and drag it up: if you drag it to the left or right edge, it will open in Split View; if you drop it in the center, it will open as a Slide Over window.
From the App Library
Click on the icon of the App Library at the far right of the Dock. Press and hold one of the large icons and drag it to open it in Split View or Slide Over. You can browse categories, use the search bar to see them all, and drag the one you want to the multitasking view.
With Spotlight (keyboard required)
If you're using a keyboard like the Magic Keyboard, there's a handy shortcut. Open an app and tap Command (⌘) + Spacebar to invoke Spotlight. Type the name of the second app, tap and hold its icon, and drag it out of Spotlight.
- If you drag it to the left or right edge, it will be placed in Split View next to the current app.
- If you drop it in the center, it will appear in a Slide Over window.
Center Window: Create a single window from content
Some apps, like Mail or Notes, allow you to open items in a centered window. Tap and hold an email, note, or other item in your list and choose "Open in new window." You'll see that window in the center, floating above the rest.
To close that window, press OK or Close. You can also tap the Multitasking button and send it to full screen, Split View or Slide Over as you see fit, integrating that window into your layout.
Multitasking gestures and app switcher
Swipe from the bottom to the middle of the screen and hold to view the app switcherThere you can scroll left or right to find recently used Split View combinations, or scroll to the far left to see all your open Slide Over windows.
To quickly switch between apps, swipe four or five fingers to the right or left of the screen. On iPad Pro with Face ID (11-inch and 12,9-inch 3rd gen and later), you can also swipe along the bottom edge to move between active apps.
To return to the home screen, swipe up from the bottom edge. Alternatively, you can swipe up with five fingers and tap pinch, which will return you to the SpringBoard immediately.
New features mentioned for iPadOS 26: resizable windows
It is indicated that with iPadOS 26 Apple introduces a more flexible form of multitasking, replacing Split View and Slide Over by a system of multiple resizable windows, similar to managing apps in macOS.
According to this description, you could freely rearrange and overlap windows, with preset sizes to view two to four apps side by side. Window positions would also be preserved even if you turn off the iPad or close an app, and there would be a gesture to view an Exposé with all open apps.
In that approach, windows would have the Mac's "traffic light" controls for resizing and closing, and apps would have menu bars Desktop-style settings. The ability to run intensive background tasks and some limitations on the number of simultaneous apps depending on the model are also mentioned.
If your device still uses the classic system with Split View and Slide Over, everything above is still valid; if you are already on that future version, the philosophy changes to free windows, maintaining PiP as a complement for floating video while you work.
