Opening a window over a full screen video on external monitor

[VanWinkle]

So, just moved from Windows to the 14" MBP. Really enjoying it so far other than some quirks.

One very annoying thing for me right now relates to my current computer workflow. I like to often have a Youtube video playing in full screen on my external monitor while I'm browsing on my main monitor.

The problem I've noticed is that when I open an app from the dock, and that app opens in the external monitor, this comes up on the monitor:

Which is already frustrating enough that it takes away the video just because a window is over top of it, but the bigger issue is that the full screen video doesn't reappear after you close or move the window to another display, and there doesn't appear to be a way to get back to the full screen video with a click. You HAVE to click to exit full screen, and then go back to full screen.

Is there a way around this? It's one of those things where you don't realize it will be an issue and then you realize how often this came up before and I just hadn't thought about it until I encountered something that doesn't let you do it.

 

[BigBlur]

This was one of my biggest annoyances too after being so used to how Windows works. It doesn't bother me as much anymore now that I'm more familiar with how window management works on Macs.

I don't think there's a way to prevent this from happening in the first place, but you don't need to exit full screen and go back to full screen. Full screen apps (and video) are basically just another desktop or space. All you should need to do is a three-finger swipe left (or right) to get back to the desktop/video. You can also do a three-finger swipe up to see all your current desktops or full screen apps/videos.

Another option, if you don't need full screen, you can right-click the YouTube video twice and do PiP mode.

 

[VanWinkle]

All you should need to do is a three-finger swipe left (or right) to get back to the desktop/video. You can also do a three-finger swipe up to see all your current desktops or full screen apps/videos.

Okay, thanks for the info. Is there a way to do it on a regular mouse instead of touchpad?

 

[BigBlur]

Okay, thanks for the info. Is there a way to do it on a regular mouse instead of touchpad?

It's not possible with a regular mouse without finding some 3rd party software, but it is possible with the Magic Mouse (two finger swipe, or two finger tap). Can also do it from the keyboard (control + left arrow or control + right arrow; or control + up arrow).