Are you tired of video playing in a small window even after you’ve closed the original video player? This might be due to the Picture in Picture (PiP) feature, a functionality that allows you to continue watching videos in a small, floating window while you’re using other apps. While PiP can be useful in some situations, it can also be annoying if you don’t know how to turn it off. In this article, we’ll explore the ways to disable PiP across various devices and operating systems.
What Is Picture In Picture?
Before we dive into the instructions for turning off PiP, it’s essential to understand what this feature is and why it exists. Picture in Picture is a feature that allows users to watch videos in a small, floating window while interacting with other apps on their device. This feature was first introduced by Apple in 2015 as part of the iOS 9 update and was later adopted by other operating systems, including Android and macOS.
PiP is particularly useful for tasks like watching tutorials, online lectures, or cooking videos while following along with the steps on your device. However, this feature can also be annoying if it’s not what you intended to use. For instance, if you’re watching a video and then close the video player to respond to a message, you might find the video still playing in the corner of your screen. If this is what’s happening, you might be wondering how to turn off PiP.
How To Turn Off Picture In Picture On IOS Devices
If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, you’re likely familiar with the Picture in Picture feature. While PiP can be useful on iOS devices, it’s also relatively easy to disable if needed. Here’s how to turn off PiP on your iOS device:
Method 1: Disable PiP Through Video Playback Controls
If a video is currently playing in Picture in Picture mode on your iOS device, you can disable it by tapping the “AA” button in the upper-right corner of the PiP window. This will open up the video playback controls. Tap the “X” icon to close the video. Alternatively, you can swipe left on the video playback controls to reveal the PiP toggle button. Tap this button to disable PiP.
However, if you want to prevent videos from automatically playing in Picture in Picture mode in the future, you’ll need to use a different approach.
Method 2: Disable PiP Through Settings
To disable Picture in Picture on your iOS device, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
- Scroll down to the General section and select Device Management.
- Look for the Picture in Picture option and toggle the switch to the Off position.
Keep in mind that this method only disables PiP for the Safari browser. If you’re using a different browser, you might need to disable PiP through that browser’s settings.
How To Turn Off Picture In Picture On Android Devices
While Android devices also support Picture in Picture, the process for disabling this feature varies slightly across devices and Android versions. Here’s how to turn off PiP on your Android device:
Method 1: Disable PiP Through Video Playback Controls
Similar to iOS devices, you can also disable Picture in Picture on Android devices through video playback controls. If a video is currently playing in Picture in Picture mode on your Android device, follow these steps:
- Tap the Video icon on the system bar to open the video playback controls.
- Expand the Video controls menu and select the Settings option (represented by a gear icon).
- Scroll down to the Picture in Picture option and toggle the switch to the Off position.
However, if you want to prevent videos from automatically playing in Picture in Picture mode in the future, you might need to use a different approach.
Method 2: Disable PiP Through Settings
To disable Picture in Picture on your Android device, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Scroll down to the Apps & notifications section and select App info.
- Locate the YouTube (or any other video streaming app) app and tap it.
- Tap the Advanced section and select Picture in Picture.
- Toggle the switch to the Off position.
Alternatively, you can also disable PiP by restricting the app from running in the background:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Scroll down to the Battery section and select Battery usage.
- Find the YouTube (or any other video streaming app) app and tap it.
- Tap the Background restriction option and toggle the switch to the On position.
Keep in mind that this method might not disable PiP for all apps. You might need to repeat these steps for each video streaming app on your Android device.
How To Turn Off Picture In Picture On MacOS Devices
Picture in Picture is also available on macOS devices, primarily for watching videos while working on other tasks. While PiP can be convenient, it can also be distracting if you’re not expecting it. Here’s how to turn off PiP on your macOS device:
Method 1: Disable PiP Through Video Playback Controls
If a video is currently playing in Picture in Picture mode on your macOS device, you can disable it by clicking the Window menu in the top bar and selecting the Exit Picture in Picture option.
However, if you want to prevent videos from automatically playing in Picture in Picture mode in the future, you’ll need to use a different approach.
Method 2: Disable PiP Through Safari Settings
To disable Picture in Picture on your macOS device, follow these steps:
- Open Safari.
- Click Safari on the top bar and select Preferences.
- Go to the Advanced tab and select Disable Picture in Picture.
Note that this method only disables PiP for the Safari browser. If you’re using a different browser, you might need to disable PiP through that browser’s settings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Picture in Picture can be a useful feature in certain situations, it can also be intrusive if you don’t know how to disable it. By following the instructions outlined in this article, you should be able to turn off PiP on your device, whether you’re using an iOS, Android, or macOS operating system.
What Is Picture In Picture Mode?
Picture in Picture (PiP) mode is a feature that allows a video to continue playing in a small window on top of other apps or windows, even when the original video app is no longer in focus. This feature can be useful for multitasking, such as watching a video while browsing the web or working on a document.
In PiP mode, the video will continue to play in a small window that can be moved around the screen, and the audio will continue to play as well. The PiP window can usually be resized, and some devices and apps may offer additional controls, such as the ability to pause or close the PiP window.
How Do I Turn Off Picture In Picture On My IPhone Or IPad?
To turn off Picture in Picture on your iPhone or iPad, you can follow these steps: swipe up from the bottom of the screen to show the home bar, then tap on the Picture in Picture icon (represented by two rectangles with an arrow pointing up) to show the video in full screen. Alternatively, you can also disable PiP by going into the Settings app and selecting the option to disable PiP.
Disabling PiP on your iPhone or iPad will prevent videos from playing in a small window on your screen. To completely disable PiP on your device, go to the Settings app, then select “Picture in Picture” and toggle off the switch next to “Start PiP Automatically”. This will prevent videos from automatically playing in PiP mode.
How Do I Disable Picture In Picture On My Android Device?
To disable Picture in Picture on your Android device, you can follow these steps: go to the Settings app, then select the “Apps” or “Applications” section. From there, select the three dots at the top right corner and choose “Special app access” (this option may vary depending on your device). Look for the “Picture-in-picture” option, and select it.
To disable PiP for a specific app, toggle off the switch next to the app’s name. You can also disable PiP for all apps by toggling off the switch at the top of the screen. Disabling PiP on your Android device will prevent videos from playing in a small window on your screen.
How Do I Turn Off Picture In Picture On My Mac?
To turn off Picture in Picture on your Mac, you can follow these steps: click on the Picture in Picture icon (represented by two rectangles with an arrow pointing up) in the video player to show the video in full screen. Alternatively, you can also disable PiP by going into the Settings app and selecting the option to disable PiP.
Disabling PiP on your Mac will prevent videos from playing in a small window on your screen. To completely disable PiP on your Mac, go to the System Preferences app, then select the “General” option. Uncheck the box next to “Allow Picture-in-Picture” to prevent videos from automatically playing in PiP mode.
How Do I Turn Off Picture In Picture On My Chrome Browser?
To turn off Picture in Picture on your Chrome browser, you can follow these steps: click on the Picture in Picture icon (represented by two rectangles with an arrow pointing up) in the video player to show the video in full screen. Alternatively, you can also disable PiP by going into the Chrome settings and selecting the option to disable PiP.
Disabling PiP on your Chrome browser will prevent videos from playing in a small window on your screen. To completely disable PiP on Chrome, type “chrome://flags” in the address bar, then search for the “Picture-in-picture” option. Set the option to “Disabled” to prevent videos from automatically playing in PiP mode.
Can I Turn Off Picture In Picture For A Specific App?
Yes, you can turn off Picture in Picture for a specific app on most devices and operating systems. To do this, go to the app’s settings or preferences and look for the PiP option. Some apps, such as YouTube, may have a dedicated option to disable PiP, while others may require you to use the device’s settings app to disable PiP.
Disabling PiP for a specific app will prevent videos from playing in a small window on your screen when using that app. This can be useful if you find that PiP is causing distractions or if you simply prefer not to use PiP with a particular app.
Is It Possible To Re-enable Picture In Picture After Turning It Off?
Yes, it is possible to re-enable Picture in Picture after turning it off. If you have disabled PiP on your device or in a specific app, you can usually re-enable it by following the same steps you used to disable it. Simply toggle the switch or select the option to re-enable PiP, and you should be able to use the feature again.
Re-enabling PiP will allow videos to play in a small window on your screen, even when the original video app is no longer in focus. This can be useful if you need to multitask while watching a video, or if you simply prefer to use the PiP feature.