In a move that promises to enhance user experience, YouTube for Android is rolling out an update that replaces the traditional minibar with Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode. This change, however, comes with a twist: it’s not available to everyone just yet.
What’s Changing?
Previously, minimizing a video in the YouTube app by pressing the small down arrow in the upper left corner while in portrait mode would create a minibar at the bottom of the screen. This minibar displayed a small thumbnail of the video on the left side, with the title and video controls (play, stop, pause) on the right. While functional, it wasn’t exactly what users were hoping for—especially those familiar with the convenience of PiP mode.
Now, with the latest YouTube for Android update, minimizing a video will activate PiP mode instead of creating the minibar. This means users can continue watching their videos in a small, resizable window that floats over other apps, providing a more seamless multitasking experience.
Limited Availability
The update is currently being rolled out as a server-side upgrade to some users running version 19.29.37 of the YouTube for Android app. However, not everyone with this build will receive the update immediately. Google has stated that this is part of a typical A/B test, meaning only a small group of users across mobile, tablet, and web platforms will have access to this feature for now.
“We’re currently testing an update that lets viewers move and resize the miniplayer while watching a video. This is available to a small group of users across mobile, tablet and web at this time,” Google said in a statement.
User Experience
For instance, even though my Pixel 6 Pro, running Android 15 beta 4 and version 19.29.37 of the YouTube app, is up-to-date, I am still seeing the minibar when I minimize a video. This selective rollout means that many users will have to wait and see if they are among the lucky ones to receive this update.
While it’s unclear whether all Android users will eventually get this update, the introduction of PiP mode is a promising step forward. It aligns YouTube for Android with other platforms that already offer this feature, enhancing the overall user experience and making multitasking more efficient.
As Google continues to test and refine this feature, users can look forward to a more streamlined way to enjoy their favorite videos without interruption. Whether you’re catching up on tutorials or enjoying your favorite vlogs, PiP mode is set to make your viewing experience more flexible and enjoyable.
