Fix Picture in Picture Not Working on iPhone iOS 14

If Picture in Picture (PiP) stops working on your iPhone running iOS 14, the fix is usually a quick settings toggle or a force-quit of the app. Start by going to Settings > General > Picture in Picture and make sure Start PiP Automatically is enabled. If it already is, turn it off, wait a few seconds, turn it back on, then restart the app that isn’t showing PiP.

What Is Picture in Picture on iPhone?

Picture in Picture lets you keep watching a video in a small, movable window while you use other apps. On iPhone, this works with FaceTime calls, Apple TV, and many third-party video apps like Safari, YouTube (premium), Netflix, and Hulu. The feature was introduced on iPad years ago but only came to iPhone with iOS 14. When it works, you can swipe home or open another app and the video follows you in a floating window. You can drag it to any corner, pinch to resize, and tap the expand button to go back to full screen.

PiP is especially useful for multitasking: following a recipe while texting, watching a lecture while taking notes, or keeping a video call visible while checking your calendar. But because it depends on both the operating system and the app itself, a glitch in either can break it.

How PiP Works in iOS 14

iOS 14 introduced a system-level PiP API that apps can use. When you start a video and then leave the app, iOS automatically shrinks the video into a floating window. The system handles the window controls (play/pause, close, expand), while the app supplies the video stream. If the app doesn’t support PiP, you won’t see the option at all.

Some apps disable PiP for certain content due to licensing. For example, YouTube only allows PiP on its premium tier, and some live TV apps block it entirely. If PiP worked before but stopped, it’s more likely a temporary software glitch than a permanent block.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Most PiP issues are resolved with one of these simple steps. Try them in order:

Check the PiP setting: Go to Settings > General > Picture in Picture. Make sure Start PiP Automatically is on. If it’s off, turn it on.
Toggle the setting off and on: Turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. This resets the system flag.
Force-quit the app: Swipe up from the bottom and hold to open the App Switcher. Swipe up on the video app to close it, then reopen it.
Restart your iPhone: Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power slider appears. Slide to power off, wait a minute, then power back on.
Update the app and iOS: Check the App Store for app updates and go to Settings > General &strong> Software Update for iOS updates.

Why PiP Stops Working: Common Causes

Several things can cause PiP to fail, even when the setting is on:

App doesn’t support PiP: Not every video app supports PiP. Check the app’s documentation or try a known-supported app like Apple TV or Safari.
Content restrictions: Some videos within an app may be marked as “non-PiP” by the content provider. Live streams and certain rentals often block it.
Low Power Mode: Some users report that Low Power Mode interferes with PiP, though Apple doesn’t officially document this. Try turning it off in Settings > Battery.
Background App Refresh disabled: If Background App Refresh is off for a specific app, it may not keep the video stream alive. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and enable it for the video app.
iOS bug: iOS 14.0 and 14.1 had several PiP bugs. Apple fixed many in later updates. If you’re on an early iOS 14 version, updating to 14.8 or later often resolves it.

How to Use PiP Once It’s Working

Once PiP is active, you can control it with simple gestures:

Move the window: Drag it to any edge of the screen.
Resize: Pinch in or out to make it smaller or larger.
Hide temporarily: Swipe the window off the screen edge. The audio continues, and a small arrow appears to bring it back.
Close PiP: Tap the X button in the corner of the window.
Return to full screen: Tap the expand icon (arrows pointing outward) to go back to the app.

What to Do If PiP Still Doesn’t Work

If you’ve tried the quick fixes and PiP still won’t activate, there are a few more advanced steps:

Reset all settings: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This doesn’t delete your data, but it resets Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, and other preferences. You’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.
Check if the app is the problem: Try PiP with a different app. For example, play a video in Safari (not YouTube) and press the home button. If PiP works there, the issue is with the original app.
Reinstall the app: Delete the problematic app and reinstall it from the App Store. This often clears corrupted app data.
Restore your iPhone: As a last resort, back up your iPhone and restore it via Finder or iTunes. This is time-consuming but can fix deep system issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t PiP work on YouTube?

YouTube only allows PiP for Premium subscribers. Free users see the video stop when they leave the app. If you have Premium and it’s not working, make sure the app is updated and try toggling the PiP setting again.

Does PiP work with FaceTime?

Yes, FaceTime calls support PiP on iOS 14. When you leave the call, the video shrinks to a small window. If it doesn’t, check that PiP is enabled in Settings and that you’re not in Low Power Mode.

Can I use PiP with Netflix?

Yes, Netflix supports PiP on iPhone with iOS 14. If it’s not working, update the app and check your subscription plan—some plans may not allow downloads or PiP for certain titles.

Does PiP drain the battery faster?

Yes, PiP keeps the video playing, so it uses more battery than a paused video. However, it’s generally more efficient than running the full app because the system optimizes the small window rendering. If battery life is a concern, close PiP when you’re not actively watching.

Why does PiP keep turning off?

If PiP turns off automatically, it might be because the app doesn’t support background audio, or the content has restrictions. Also check if “Start PiP Automatically” is enabled—if it’s off, you can still start PiP manually by swiping up from the bottom while the video is playing, but only if the app supports it.

Will a factory reset fix PiP?

A factory reset can fix persistent software glitches, but it should be your last resort. Before that, try resetting all settings, which is less disruptive. If you do a factory reset, back up your data first, as it erases everything.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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