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How to Enable VLC’s Picture in Picture Mode on Any Device

How to Enable VLC’s Picture in Picture Mode on Any Device

You likely want to enable PIP in VLC when you are tired of constantly switching back and forth between your media player and other applications while trying to watch a video.

VLC has a Picture in Picture mode that allows you to watch your media content in a small overlay window in video player form while using other programs.

In this day and age, multitasking has become the new norm. So why not give yourself an extra boost of productivity by enabling VLC’s Picture in Picture mode.

Whether you’re working on your computer or streaming videos on your mobile phone or tablet, this feature can save you time and help streamline your workflow.

Related: How to Record Your Screen with VLC Media Player

In this post, we’ll walk you through the steps to enable VLC’s Picture in Picture Mode on any device for maximum convenience.

How to turn on Picture in Picture with VLC in Windows 10 or later

How to turn on Picture in Picture with VLC in Windows 10 or later

VLC Media Player is a widely used media player that doesn’t come preinstalled on Windows computers (but should) because users need video file formats that the default windows media player does not play correctly.

Picture in Picture (PiP) is a mode you can turn on in VLC which allows you to watch videos in a floating window on top of other windows.

Related: VLC Media Player: Is it still the Best Video Player?

This means you can simultaneously use other apps or browse the web while a downloaded video or movie plays in the corner of your screen.

Here’s how to enable PiP on your VLC Media Player, follow these steps:

  1. Launch VLC and open the video file you want to watch.
  2. Open Preferences (or hit Ctrl + P)
  3. Click on Video, then check the Always on Top option.
    Step 2 Select always on top PIP picture in picture mode VLC
  4. The video will appear in a floating window that stays on top of any other windows you have open.
  5. To reduce the size of the video further, navigate to the Tools menu again, and select Preferences > Video.
    Step 1 PIP picture in picture mode 1 1
  6. Uncheck the Window Decoration option to make the video even smaller, and it will continue to appear at the top of your other windows.

By following these steps, you can enable PiP on your VLC Media Player and enjoy your videos in a floating window on top of other windows.

Note: These instructions are applicable to all versions of Windows, not just Windows 10

Related: VLC vs Windows Media Player vs PotPlayer – Comparison (Pros and Cons)

How to enable Picture in Picture with VLC on a Mac

How to enable Picture in Picture with VLC on a Mac

If you’re a Mac user, you can easily turn on Picture in Picture mode with VLC Media Player. This allows you to keep your video playing in a small floating window while you work on other applications. It’s a great way to multitask and make the most of your time.

To activate the Picture in Picture mode on your Mac using VLC, follow these steps:

  1. Open the video you want to watch with VLC.
  2. Pause the playing video and hover your mouse over the “Video” option at the top of your window.
    Step 1 mac PIP VLC mode
  3. Select the “Float on Top” option from the menu. This allows your video to float above other Mac applications.

Note: This feature won’t work if you use full-screen applications on your Mac.

Related: 21 Best Video Players for Mac

Turning on Picture in Picture mode with VLC Media Player on your Mac is easy. Whether you’re just browsing the web or working on a document, Picture in Picture mode is a great way to stay entertained while you work.

How to get Picture in Picture (PIP) with VLC on an iPhone

How to make Picture in Picture with VLC on an iPhone work

Did you know you can turn on Picture in Picture mode with VLC on your iPhone? This feature is extremely useful if you want to multitask while watching your favorite movie or TV show.

For example, you can minimize the player and watch your video while chatting on WhatsApp or scrolling through Instagram.

Enabling Picture in Picture mode with VLC on your iPhone might seem tricky at first, especially since the new version of iOS usually comes with the PiP feature disabled.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone and tap on the “Shortcuts” option, ensuring the “Allow Untrusted Shortcuts” option is turned on (green).
  2. Download the VLC Media Player App from the Apple Store if you haven’t already. Inside VLC’s “Settings” menu, enable “Play VLC videos in the Background.”
  3. Finally, play with VLC app, tap on three dots icon, and then “Minimize Player.”

You can now enjoy your video in Picture-in-Picture mode while doing other things on your iPhone.

Related: 7 Best Screen Mirroring Apps for iPhone (Tested for streaming)

On your iPhone, you can easily turn on the Picture in Picture mode with VLC. With this feature, you can enjoy your favorite media content without having to pause it every time you need to do something else on your phone.

How to enable Picture in Picture with VLC on an iPad Air, Pro, or Mini

How to enable Picture in Picture with VLC on an iPad Air Pro or Mini

If you’re an iPad Air, Pro, or Mini user and want to multitask while watching your favorite videos, Picture in Picture mode is the way to go. Unlike the iPhone, enabling PiP on your iPad is different.

But don’t worry, it’s a quick and easy process:

  1. Open the “Settings” app on your device. Click on “General Settings” and then “Multitasking & Dock.”
  2. Select the “Picture in Picture” option.
  3. Launch the VLC Media Player and play the video file.
  4. Tap the PiP icon in the top-left corner of your full-screen video window. This will shrink the video into a smaller window that you can move around and resize.

This is useful if you need to respond to an urgent email or message while you’re watching your favorite show. You can simply move the video window to a corner of your screen and continue to watch it while you work on other tasks.

Related: How to Zoom in on Videos in VLC (Windows & Mac)

Remember, this feature is available on all iPads made after 2013, so you don’t need the latest model to enjoy Picture in Picture mode.

How to get Picture in Picture VLC Android

How to get Picture in Picture VLC Android

If you’re an Android user, you can also take advantage of the Picture in Picture feature on your phone or tablet. But for this to work, update your device to the latest software release.

To activate Picture-in-Picture mode with VLC on your Android device:

  1. Open the “Settings” menu within the VLC Media Player app.
  2. Select the option to enable playing VLC videos in the background. Then, tap on the three dot icon at the top of the screen to reveal more options.
  3. Tap to activate the small window of the “Picture in Picture” icon.

You can now minimize and move the window as needed to customize your viewing experience while multitasking on your phone.

For example, you can monitor a video tutorial while working on a project or enjoy a movie while messaging with friends.

With these simple steps, you can easily turn on Picture in Picture mode and enjoy a more versatile video experience on your Android device.

Alternative media players that let you use PIP

Alternative media players that let you use PIP

Apart from VLC, there are many other media players that offer Picture in Picture mode with added features. Here are a few alternative media players you can use the PIP mode with on your device.

GOM Player

GOM Player 1

GOM Player is a powerful media player that offers a wide range of features to enhance your video watching experience. It supports many file formats, like AVI, MP4, MKV, FLV, WMV, and MOV, allowing you to watch your favorite videos with no hassle.

Its support for gesture playback controls enables you to control playback with intuitive gestures and take screenshots with just a click of a button.

You can use its size-adjustable Picture in Picture (PiP) mode, which lets you watch videos in a smaller window while working on other tasks simultaneously. You can also resize the window to your liking.

Compared to VLC’s PiP mode, the GOM Player’s PiP mode offers more flexibility and is more user-friendly.

GOM Player also supports 360-degree videos and lets you explore the video by rotating the camera in any direction, making it an excellent choice for watching travel and adventure videos.

In short, GOM Player is an exceptional media player that offers many prominent features, including a customizable Picture in Picture mode.

INNA

INNA

INNA is a sleek and modern media player designed for macOS users. It’s powered by the open-source media player, mpv, which enables it to play almost any media file format with ease. With the added support of youtube-dl and browser extensions, you can effortlessly play online streams with a single click.

Its Picture-in-Picture mode allows you to watch both local and online videos without being interrupted by other windows or applications.

Compared to VLC’s Picture-in- Picture mode, INNA’s implementation is more user-friendly and customizable. You can easily activate PiP mode and resize the video window.

Overall, INNA is a splendid media player for macOS users, boasting a clean user interface, and a native Picture-in-Picture mode for an uninterrupted viewing experience.

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player is a built-in media player on Mac devices that allows users to play a variety of audio and video file formats. It features on-screen playback controls that enable you to play, pause, fast-forward, or rewind your media files easily.

You can even play files on an AirPlay-enabled device, share files, and adjust playback speed using these controls.

The QuickTime Player supports a Picture in Picture mode, which enables you to watch videos in a resizable floating window.

Compared to VLC’s Picture in Picture mode, QuickTime Player’s implementation is more straightforward and simple. While it may lack some customization options of VLC, it’s still a great option for users who want an easy-to-use Picture in Picture mode.

Overall, QuickTime Player is an excellent media player for Mac users, with a range of features including Picture in Picture mode, on screen playback controls, and support for multiple file formats. Its native integration with macOS makes it a reliable and convenient option for viewing media files.

FAQ

Whats the difference between VLC Picture-in-Picture on an iPhone and desktop?

While both the iPhone and desktop versions of VLC offer Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode, there are some key differences to keep in mind. On an iPhone, PIP mode allows you to continue watching a video in a small window while using other apps on your phone. On desktop, PIP mode allows you to watch a video within a smaller window on your computer screen while you work on other tasks. The desktop version of VLC offers more advanced settings for customizing the PIP experience, such as adjusting opacity and enabling always-on-top mode.

Android Picture in Picture: how do you get it to work?

If you want to use Picture in Picture mode on your Android device, start by downloading and installing the VLC Media Player app from the Google Play Store. Now, play the video you would like to watch. While the video is playing in full-screen mode, tap the Dots Icon and choose the Picture in Picture or Minimize option. Now you can return to your Android Home screen and the video will continue to play in a small window. With these simple steps, you can enjoy Picture in Picture mode on your Android device and multitask while watching your favorite videos.

How to change the VLC Picture-in-Picture window size

If you’re using VLC’s Picture-in-Picture mode and need to adjust the size of the window, there are a couple of ways to do it. First, you can go to the “Window” menu and select “Scale” to change the size of the window.

Related: How to Crop a Video in VLC (and save it)

You can also use the keyboard shortcuts “Ctrl + +” to increase the size or “Ctrl + -” to decrease it. With these simple methods, you can easily adjust the size of the PIP window in VLC to suit your needs.

Can you adjust opacity settings in VLC’s PIP settings?

Yes, you can adjust opacity settings in VLC’s PIP settings. Simply go to the “Tools” menu and select “Preferences,” then choose “Video.” From there, you’ll see options to adjust the opacity of the PIP window and other advanced settings. With these settings, you can customize your PIP experience in VLC to suit your preferences. Adjusting the opacity can make the PIP window more or less transparent, depending on how distracting you find it.

Is VLC PIP mode compatible with Linux or ChromeOS?

If you’re wondering whether VLC’s Picture-in-Picture mode is compatible with Linux or ChromeOS, the answer is that it depends on the version of VLC you’re using on those platforms. Check the specific version of your media player to confirm whether this feature is supported. With a little research, you can find out whether you can use PIP mode on your Linux or ChromeOS device with VLC or another media player.

In VLC, can I play more than two videos at once in PIP mode?

Yes, it is definitely possible to play over two videos simultaneously in PIP mode using VLC. You just need to open multiple VLC instances and adjust the settings for each instance.

Also see: How to make VLC the Default Player on Mac and Windows

This way, you can have multiple videos playing on your screen at the same time, and resize them as per your convenience. It’s a useful feature if you want to compare videos side-by-side, or if you’re working on a project that requires you to reference multiple videos at once.

What file formats does PIP work with?

Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode in VLC supports a wide range of file formats, including popular video formats such as MP4, AVI, and MOV.

You can use the PIP mode with audio files such as MP3, AAC, and FLAC. But it’s always a good idea to check the compatibility of your specific file with the media player you are using before trying to use PIP mode. We have not tested this with 3d videos or 360 videos.

Also see: The Best way to play a MKV file on Mac (+ 7 alternatives)

Bottom line

VLC Media player has a featured called Picture in Picture (PiP) mode that allows users to watch videos in a floating window on top of other windows, enabling multitasking while watching a movie or TV show. PiP mode can be enabled on VLC for different devices – Windows 10, Mac and also iPhone by following simple steps.

To enable PiP on VLC Media Player, open the desired video file, go to Tools, select Preferences and then Video. Check the Always on Top option to make the video appear in a floating window that stays on top of any other windows you have open. To reduce the size of the video further, go to Tools, Preferences and choose Video again. Uncheck Window Decoration to make it even smaller while still appearing at the top of your other windows.

About the author:

Photo of Paul Michael, Founder of MediaPeanut

Paul Michael

Paul Michael is a media and technology expert whose research reveals how technology and media are being used in the world today. He has expertise on computers, the internet, streaming, Roku, electronics, and education. He also enjoys graphic design & digital art. Paul has his Bachelors of Arts and Science(s) from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ