YouTube Says iOS Picture-in-Picture Coming to All US Users

[MacRumors]

After a long wait, YouTube for iOS is officially gaining picture-in-picture support, allowing all users, non-premium and premium subscribers, to close the YouTube app and continue watching their video in a small pop-up window.

In a statement to MacRumors, YouTube says that picture-in-picture is currently rolling out to all premium subscribers on iOS and that a larger rollout to all US iOS users will take place soon. It's worth noting, again, that this feature will be available to all users, despite some speculation that YouTube may have limited picture-in-picture support for only paying subscribers.

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) allows users to watch YouTube videos in a small mini player while simultaneously browsing outside of the YouTube app on their mobile device. We’re starting to roll out PiP for YouTube Premium members on iOS and plan to launch PiP for all US iOS users as well.

YouTube picture-in-picture has been a constant back and forth game, with it sometimes working via the YouTube website on Safari. Some users have found creative workarounds utilizing Shortcuts to turn off built-in parameters on the YouTube site that disables picture-in-picture. Now, though, with official support rolling out and soon to be more widespread, those workarounds will no longer be needed.

Article Link: YouTube Says iOS Picture-in-Picture Coming to All US Users

 

[Seanm87]

Why just US?

 

[HeavenDynamic]

Why in the world would this be a US-exclusive feature?

 

[nathorpe]

I don't mind YouTube restricting some features to paying subscribers, but trying to charge for something that is part of the OS always seemed a bit off to me. This will be a welcome addition!

 

[gaximus]

Awesome!

 

[PlainviewX]

Will it also continue playing audio when you "sleep" the phone?

 

[Think|Different]

I'll believe it when I see it...And, even then, I'll only believe it when it stays.

 

[WiseAJ]

I'll believe it when I see it...And, even then, I'll only believe it when it stays.

Was just about to comment this exactly.

 

[SDJim]

Why on earth would this feature require a roll-out??? Just update the app!

 

[mrat93]

I signed up for youtube premium last week and sent them feedback begging for this. So, you’re welcome, world. No need to thank me.

 

[JokerPower]

For me, the lack of PiP for YouTube has been a reason for switching to Android.

YouTube Vanced on Android is a must-have

 

[sunapple]

Great, world-wide in three years then?

YouTube needs a simplified interface and it needs to recognize without fail when I rotate the phone. It’s the most annoying app to use on my phone.

 

[lyngo]

This was crazy. I deleted the app off of my iPad because of this notion. At least on safari you could still do PiP with YouTube.

 

[Press22]

Nice try at looking good Youtube (Google) but you can't fool me. You were just trying to get paid for this feature but weren't able to fully monetize on it.

 

[Kylo83]

I’m in the U.K. and I have it now

 

[cmaier]

Ok. Now how about YouTube TV?

 

[Kylo83]

A few people in the U.K. have it so it’s not just us

 

[moldy lunchbox]

The current PiP work-arounds using the Scripts disable video ads...so honestly, I might just stick to what I'm currently doing for my iPhone haha!

 

[Dwight1989]

I'm still disappointed major streaming apps like Discovery+ and Paramount+ don't have PIP enabled yet,a basic feature unavailable is terrible.

 

[dannyyankou]

About 5 years late but I'll take it

 

[bounty1097]

Freakinn FINALLYYY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Great

What about YouTube TV though?

 

[UltimateSyn]

Finally. It was always stupid of them to have intentionally disabled this feature and then paywalled unlocking it.

 

[javanate]

Nice try at looking good Youtube (Google) but you can't fool me. You were just trying to get paid for this feature but weren't able to fully monetize on it.

I feel like we've earned this feature after 10 million clicks dismissing Google trying to get me to pay for YouTube.

 

[macintoshmac]

Just the United States (even if for now, potentially). April 1 is long gone and yet here we are.