You want to keep watching YouTube while working in another tab or window, but the video stays on its watch page. Chrome’s built-in picture-in-picture control opens it in a floating window without an extension. Start with the media controls, then choose a toolbar button or keyboard shortcut if that fits how you watch.
Pop out the video with Chrome’s media controls
Start here on Windows, macOS, Linux, or ChromeOS when you want a floating video window. This option is built into desktop Chrome.
Play the YouTube video in Chrome.
At the top right of Chrome, select Media control.
Select Enter picture-in-picture.
Drag the floating window to position it where you want it on your screen.
Open Chrome’s video context menu
This route requires access to Chrome’s native video menu and a video that permits picture-in-picture.
- 1.Play your YouTube video in Chrome.
- 2.Right-click directly on the video to open YouTube’s menu.
- 3.Right-click the video again. If Chrome’s native menu does not appear, use Media control > Enter picture-in-picture instead.
- 4.In Chrome’s menu, select Picture in picture, or Picture in Picture on macOS. If the command is missing, use the media-control route above. YouTube’s Miniplayer opens a player that stays inside YouTube.
Add a dedicated toolbar button with Google’s extension
Google’s extension gives you a separate picture-in-picture button. Its floating player stays above other windows, keeping the video visible while you use another app.
Open the official Chrome Web Store listing for Picture-in-Picture Extension (by Google).
Check that the developer is Google.
Select Add to Chrome.
Approve the installation dialog.
Play your YouTube video.
Select the extension’s icon to the right of the address bar.
If the icon is hidden, select Extensions.
Find Picture-in-Picture Extension (by Google) and select Pin to expose its toolbar button.
If the extension does not open the floating player, use Chrome’s built-in Media control > Enter picture-in-picture route.
Use a keyboard shortcut for picture-in-picture
Google’s extension adds keyboard access to the floating player; Alt+P requires the extension.
Install Picture-in-Picture Extension (by Google) using the method above.
Open the YouTube video.
Press Alt+P on Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS, or Option+P on macOS.
To change the shortcut or resolve a shortcut conflict, enter chrome://extensions/shortcuts in Chrome’s address bar.
Locate Picture-in-Picture Extension (by Google).
Change its shortcut assignment.
Keep watching while you browse YouTube
Right-click a playing YouTube video.
Select Miniplayer to keep watching as you browse YouTube.
For keyboard access instead, click the YouTube video player to give it focus.
Press i to open the Miniplayer.
Select Expand to return to the video’s watch page.
To dismiss the Miniplayer, press Esc.
Use Miniplayer for ordinary videos, playlists, and livestreams within YouTube; it excludes Shorts and videos marked made for kids.
Move the whole YouTube page into another window
A separate Chrome window keeps the full YouTube page available, but does not inherently stay above other windows.
Drag the YouTube tab outside its current Chrome window to detach it.
Resize the resulting window to suit your screen.
For another route, create a new window with Ctrl+N on Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS, or Command+N on macOS.
Use the tab’s Move tab to another window command to move YouTube into that window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can YouTube automatically pop out when I switch tabs?
Chrome supports automatic picture-in-picture on websites that implement it. Enabling the permission does not force every YouTube video to pop out. On a participating site, play a video, switch tabs, and choose Allow this time or Allow on every visit when prompted.
How do I resize or hide the floating player on a Chromebook?
Drag a top corner to resize it, or double-click or double-tap the floating window to switch sizes. Drag it to the left or right screen edge to tuck it away, then select the tuck handle to restore it.
How do I use picture-in-picture on a phone?
Use the YouTube app for these mobile steps. On a supported Android device, open device settings and go to Apps > YouTube > Advanced > Picture-in-picture, then enable Allow picture-in-picture. Android settings organization varies by manufacturer. On iPhone or iPad running iOS 15.0 or later, open device settings and go to General > Picture-in-picture, then enable Start PiP Automatically. On either platform, open YouTube’s app settings, select Playback, and enable Picture-in-Picture. Play a video and leave the YouTube app. Music-content picture-in-picture requires Premium.
