YouTube is preparing to officially launch picture-in-picture support on iOS devices “in the coming days,” its support account has confirmed on Twitter. The tweet was posted in response to a user asking about a previous test of the feature, which was available to YouTube Premium subscribers. The account did not specify whether availability will continue to be limited to YouTube Premium subscribers.
YouTube’s PiP test with Premium users came to an end last week and disappeared from YouTube’s list of available experimental features, where it was previously listed with an April 8th expiry date. Despite some users being shown a “The feature you’re trying has been turned off” banner after the end of the picture-in-picture test, others are reporting that they’re still able to access the feature. Both 9to5Google and iMore are reporting that the feature is still working on their YouTube Premium accounts that previously signed up to the test.
Are you using an iOS smartphone? If so, the Picture-in-Picture feature is still rolling out & will be available in a matter of days across all iOS 15+ devices. Tweet back @ us if needed.
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) April 10, 2022
Picture-in-picture support is available for video services generally at a system level for both iPhones and iPads, but YouTube’s support for the feature has been spotty, requiring workarounds like watching it through a browser rather than via its native app. But YouTube’s Premium test made the feature much more seamless, and allowed viewers to continue watching after they navigate away from the main YouTube app.
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YouTube’s test of picture-in-picture support for Premium users was always meant to be limited. First announced in June last year, the beta period was originally set to end on October 31st, before being extended. But although the test was only for Premium users, last month YouTube reiterated it hopes to roll out the feature for all iOS users in the US, including non-Premium users, “in the coming months.”
Just last month, the search giant brought picture-in-picture support to its YouTube TV service on iOS. Now, it seems ready to add the feature to its regular YouTube service.
Update April 11th, 8:12AM ET: Updated with YouTube’s confirmation that picture-in-picture is launching “in a matter of days.” Also updated headline.