Turn Off Picture in Picture on iPhone in iOS 14

If videos keep shrinking into a floating window when you leave an app, you can turn off Picture in Picture (PiP) on an iPhone running iOS 14. The setting stops supported videos from automatically continuing in a movable overlay; you can still watch them in their app.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 14. Menu labels may differ on newer iOS versions.
Access to the iPhone’s Settings app. No extra app or download is required.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Find and tap the gray gear icon on your Home Screen or in the App Library.
Open General. Scroll down the main Settings list and tap General.
Find Picture in Picture. On the General screen, scroll down and tap Picture in Picture. If you do not see it immediately, continue toward the lower part of the list.
Turn off Start PiP Automatically. Tap the switch next to Start PiP Automatically so it is off. In iOS 14, the switch is off when it appears gray. The change takes effect immediately; there is no Save button.
Close Settings and test it. Open a video in an app that supports PiP, start playback, then leave the app using the Home button or by swiping up from the bottom edge, depending on your iPhone model. With the setting disabled, the video should not automatically become a floating window.

This setting controls automatic PiP behavior across supported apps. It does not remove the feature from iOS, and some apps may have their own playback controls or behavior. If you still see a floating video, use the troubleshooting checks below to identify whether it is PiP or an app-specific overlay.

Common Mistakes

Looking in the wrong Settings section. In iOS 14, the system control is under Settings > General > Picture in Picture, not under Display & Brightness or Accessibility.
Assuming the switch turns PiP off in every sense. The switch is labeled Start PiP Automatically. Turning it off stops automatic launch when you leave an app, but does not necessarily prevent every app from offering a manual PiP control.
Expecting the current floating window to close by itself. The change affects subsequent behavior. If a PiP window is already open, tap it to show its controls, then tap the close button, usually an X. Alternatively, return to the video’s app.
Confusing PiP with another overlay. A FaceTime call, navigation panel, accessibility control, or an app’s own mini-player can also remain on screen. The PiP setting will not control every type of floating interface.
Checking the wrong device or software version. Settings apply to the iPhone where you changed them. Also, iOS versions after 14 may organize settings differently.

Tips

Use Settings search. On the main Settings screen, pull down slightly to reveal the search field, then search for “Picture in Picture.” Tap the matching setting if it appears.
Check the switch itself. Do not rely only on the video’s behavior. Return to General > Picture in Picture and confirm that Start PiP Automatically is off.
Test with a supported video. Start a video that normally opens in a floating window when you leave its app. Some services pause playback or use different behavior, so they may not be a useful test.
Remember the manual control. If an app displays a PiP button, tapping it may still start a floating window even when automatic start is disabled. Avoid that control if you do not want PiP.
Re-enable it whenever you want. Return to the same setting and turn the switch on. This does not require reinstalling apps or changing video settings individually.

Troubleshooting

Picture in Picture is missing from General. Confirm that the phone is running iOS 14 and look through the full General list. You can also use the Settings search field. If the menu still is not there, check the iOS version in Settings > General > About; the path or availability can differ on another version.

The video still floats after you turned the setting off. Close the existing window using its X control, then start a new video and leave the app again. Make sure the automatic-start switch remains off. If the window returns only after tapping an on-screen PiP icon, that is a manual launch rather than automatic behavior.

A mini-player remains inside the app. Some video or music apps keep playback in a small bar within their own screen. That is not necessarily iOS Picture in Picture. Look in that app’s playback settings for options relating to mini-players, background playback, or floating windows; exact controls vary by app.

The switch is dimmed or cannot be changed. Restart the iPhone and check again. If the phone is managed by an organization or has restrictions configured, those settings may affect available controls. Contact the device administrator if it is a managed phone; do not remove management profiles just to change this feature.

Settings do not seem to save. Toggle the switch off, leave the Settings screen, then return and verify its state. If it changes back, restart the iPhone and check for an available iOS update under Settings > General > Software Update. Avoid resetting the whole phone as an initial fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off “Start PiP Automatically” disable Picture in Picture completely?
It prevents supported videos from automatically opening in PiP when you leave their app. Apps may still offer a manual PiP button or separate floating playback feature.

Will this stop audio from playing when I leave an app?
Not necessarily. Background audio is separate from the floating video window, and an app may continue audio playback even when PiP is off.

Can I turn off PiP for just one app?
The iOS 14 switch is a system setting for automatic PiP behavior, not an app-by-app list. Some apps may provide their own playback controls or settings, but availability varies.

How do I close a PiP window that is already on screen?
Tap the window to reveal its controls and tap the X. You can also return to the app playing the video; the system setting does not necessarily close an existing window.

Will turning PiP off delete or affect my videos?
No. It changes how supported video playback appears when you leave an app. It does not delete videos or change their files.

Why does the menu look different on my iPhone?
This guide is for iOS 14. A later iOS version may move or rename controls, so check Settings search for “Picture in Picture” if the listed path does not match.

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

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