How to Compose Picture in Picture Mode on Android TV

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Picture-in-picture (PIP) mode is an exciting feature available on many modern Android TVs. It allows you to watch a small video feed in the corner of your TV screen while simultaneously watching other content or navigating different apps. This feature enhances multitasking on the big screen, helping users keep up with multiple media sources at the same time. Here's a detailed guide on how to use, enable, and customize picture-in-picture mode on Android TV.

Understanding picture-in-picture mode

Picture-in-picture is a type of multi-window mode used primarily for video playback. As soon as you activate PIP, the current video window shrinks and floats on top of other apps or the home screen. This handy feature is usually used to watch videos while doing other tasks. For example, you can follow a recipe video while checking the ingredients in a note-taking app.

Requirements for using picture-in-picture mode

Before you start using PIP mode on your Android TV, it's important to make sure your TV supports this feature. Not all apps support picture-in-picture. Here are some general requirements and checks you may need to perform:

• Your Android TV must be running on Android version 8.0 (Oreo) or higher.
• The specific app you want to use must support PIP mode individually. Popular apps like YouTube and Netflix, among others, offer this feature.
• Your TV's settings must allow PIP for the target application.

Enabling picture-in-picture mode

Enabling picture-in-picture mode involves both changing settings and activating it during use. Here's how to properly configure PIP for a specific app:

Step 1: Configure system settings

You may need to adjust your system settings for PIP. Follow these instructions:

1. Go to your Android TV Settings.
2. Select Apps > See All Apps.
3. Scroll to select the app you want to grant PIP permission to.
4. Select the PIP option and turn on picture-in-picture.

This ensures that your specific app has the proper permissions to enter PIP mode when needed.

Step 2: Using picture-in-picture mode

Once PIP is configured, activating it is quite user-friendly. Here's how you use PIP in a supported app:

1. Open the desired application and start playing the video.
2. To initiate PIP, you can either press the Home button on your remote, or, for some applications, you may need to tap the PIP button within the app.
3. Once activated, your video will shrink and float on your screen, allowing you to return to the home screen or switch to other applications.

Customizing the picture-in-picture window

While in PIP mode, you may want to adjust or interact with the mini-player. Here's how you can manage the picture-in-picture window:

Resizing and moving the PIP window

The ability to resize or move the PIP window depends on both the TV and the application. Generally, you can:

• Use your TV remote's navigational keys to move the PIP window around on the screen.
• To resize, pinch zoom using gesture controls, if supported, or navigate using the remote's toggle or scroll functionalities.

Interacting with the PIP window

Here's how to interact with the video feed for pause or exit functionalities:

• Select the video window using the navigational buttons.
• You can see options to play, pause or stop the PIP view.
• Return the window to fullscreen by selecting a dedicated button or on-screen option often provided by the app.

Examples of apps with PIP support

As we have already mentioned, not every application supports PIP mode. Here are some common examples of applications known to effectively integrate picture-in-picture mode:

• YouTube: Probably the most popular video platform worldwide, YouTube’s PiP mode allows users to play videos even while browsing other content or apps.
• Netflix: As long as the Android version and device supports it, you can seamlessly multitask between watching Netflix shows and performing other tasks on the TV.
• Google Chrome: While browsing your favorite videos on websites, you can keep the video content visible even while viewing other pages.

Troubleshooting PIP mode

Sometimes, you may face issues while using PIP mode. Whether it is displaying incorrectly or simply not activating, here are the ways to resolve such problems:

Problem 1: PIP is not activating

If you followed the setup steps but can't activate PIP, consider the following:

• Verify that both the TV and application versions support PIP. Updating the software may resolve the version mismatch.
• Double-check if settings permissions are saved correctly under app-specific system settings.

Problem 2: PIP is not displaying correctly

Scenarios where the PIP window displays discrepancies:

• Restart your Android TV, this may help clear temporary bugs.
• Try uninstalling and reinstalling the problematic app.

If none of the above solutions work, resetting the TV to factory settings may be the solution. However, use this as a last resort, as it erases all existing data.

Customizing the picture-in-picture experience

To improve your experience with picture-in-picture on your Android TV, consider applying the following tips:

• Keep your apps updated: Regularly updating apps ensures that all new features, including PIP-related fixes, are installed.
• Experiment with placement: Try placing the PIP window in different corners depending on what you're doing. This can prevent visual obstruction of important parts of other applications.
• Manage app settings: Configure app-specific settings for each application you use frequently with PIP to guarantee optimal functionality.

Conclusion

Picture-in-Picture mode stands out as a key feature of Android TV's flexibility and user engagement, making it a valuable asset in any tech-savvy home. Following this guide will help you efficiently manage and use PIP mode across various applications. Adopt this guide as your go-to resource and turn your TV viewing into a seamless, multitasking experience.

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