Social Media · iPhone & iPad
Minimize YouTube on iPhone
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Swipe down or tap Back to use YouTube's in-app Miniplayer. For video over other apps, use Picture-in-Picture where the account and content are eligible.
Choose between two different mini players
YouTube's in-app Miniplayer keeps a video visible while you browse YouTube. iPhone Picture in Picture keeps an eligible video above other apps. Decide which behavior you need before changing settings or assuming Premium is required.
Use the in-app Miniplayer
Start a supported video in YouTube, then swipe down on the player or tap Back. The video moves into YouTube's Miniplayer while you browse the app; Shorts and made-for-kids videos are not supported there.
Control the in-app player
Tap the Miniplayer for playback controls, drag it to reposition it, and use the current close or expand control when finished. Removing it from view stops this in-app playback state.
Enable iPhone Picture in Picture
Open iPhone Settings > General > Picture in Picture and enable Start PiP Automatically when desired. In YouTube, open Settings > General and enable Picture-in-picture where the account exposes that option.
Start PiP over another app
Play an eligible ordinary video and leave YouTube by going to the Home Screen. The floating player can be moved, resized, temporarily hidden at an edge, or closed using its controls.
Understand account and content limits
Availability varies by country, content, and account. YouTube says music-content PiP and background playback require Premium, and Premium benefits do not make every restricted or made-for-kids video eligible.
Stop playback deliberately
Tap the floating window and close it, or return to YouTube and stop the video. Confirm audio has stopped before locking the phone or joining a call.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If PiP does not start, confirm both iPhone and YouTube PiP settings, use a non-music ordinary video, and check current regional and Premium eligibility. If only the in-app Miniplayer fails, leave Shorts and made-for-kids content and test a standard video.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.