How To Use Picture in Picture with VLC

VideoLAN Client, also known as VLC, is a robust media player for your computer, smartphone, and tablet that has numerous useful features. And one of its best-known features is Picture in Picture. This tool mode allows you to work and play videos at the same time.

If you’re keen on multitasking, VideoLAN Client and its Picture in Picture function might be just the thing for you. Keep reading to learn more about this cool feature and how it can help you work and play simultaneously.

Picture in Picture with VLC in Windows 10

VLC is one of the most popular media players in the world. In fact, some Windows computers have preinstalled it on their devices. Among its many features is PiP or Picture in Picture. Here are the steps you need to take to enable this feature for your Media Player. This tutorial is applicable not just for Windows 10, but for all other Windows operating systems.

1. Open the VLC Media Player on your computer and open the video you would like to watch.
   
2. After doing so, go to the Tools option, where you should click on the Preference option.
   
3. Left-click on Video and check the Always on Top option. The video that you have chosen will be floating on top of the other windows you have opened.
   
4. If you want to make your video smaller, you can go back to the Tools menu and click on Preferences and Video. Deselect the Window Decoration option. Your video will appear even smaller at the top of your other window.
   

Other Quick Tips:

1. If you want to hide your controls on your Media Player press Ctrl + H keys. This has to be done while you are in the Player. Pressing the same keys lets you undo this previous action and show your controls again.
   
2. If you don’t like that your video is at the top of your screen, you can just hold the video and drag it to whatever corner – right or left, bottom or top – you would like.
   
3. If you’d like to resize the video window, you can hold the left or right corner of the Media Player window and pull it to the middle of that window until it’s the size you desire.

Picture in Picture with VLC on a Mac

A Mac is not much different from your standard Windows laptop – it can have the same apps as a computer running Windows 10, including the VLC Media Player. The Picture in Picture feature is also available here, and enabling it takes just a few straightforward steps:

1. Turn on your MacBook or iMac and start the VLC Media Player App.
2. Now, look through your video files until you find the one you want to watch and open it.
3. When your video starts playing click on the Space key on your keyboard to pause the video.
4. At the top of your window, you will find a few options. Hover your mouse on the Video option.
5. Another options menu will pop up. Here you can select the Float on Top option.

Now your video can float at the top of other Mac applications.

Tip: This feature will not work if you are using a full-screen application on your Mac.

Picture in Picture with VLC on an iPhone

We also have a solution for you if you prefer using an iPhone instead of a computer or Mac. VLC Media Player can also be downloaded to your smartphone, so you can watch your favorite movie right from your hand. Yet to enable Picture in Picture mode, it gets a bit tricky.

The new version of iOS usually comes with the PiP feature disabled. So before doing anything on your media player, first, you must enable that feature for your iPhone. Here is the step-by-step tutorial:

1. Unlock your iPhone and tap the Settings icon. Here scroll down to the bottom of the screen, where you will find the Shortcuts option. Tap it.
   
2. Now make sure that the Allow Untrusted Shortcuts is turned on (green). If it’s not, select it.
3. If you haven’t downloaded the VLC Media Player App yet, you can do it now by searching for it in Apple Store and then clicking on the Install button.
   
4. After you’ve downloaded it, go to the Settings option inside the VLC Media Player App.
   
5. Here you will be presented with a few options. Tap the Play VLC videos in the Background option.
   
6. Once you’ve done that, open a video in the VLC app.
   
7. Choose the dots icon and then Minimize Player. This will allow you to watch your chosen video while you chat on WhatsApp or scroll through Instagram.
   

Picture in Picture with VLC on an iPad

Much like the iPhone, the iPad utilizes Picture in Picture similarly. You can’t just open your VLC Media Player and turn on the PiP feature. First, you need to enable it on your iPad. Here are a few easy steps you can follow:

1. Unlock your screen and open Settings, then General Settings.
   
2. You will be presented with a few options. Tap on Multitasking & Dock.
3. Here you should see the Picture in Picture option. Make sure that it’s selected. If not, do so. Now you can open your VLC Media Player and start playing the video you want to play.
   
4. Open it full screen and tap the PiP icon at the top left corner. It should look like a little window.
5. Your video window should pop up on your screen in a much smaller version.
   
6. Now you can minimize it, hide it or put it at any corner of your screen while using other apps.

Note: Every iPad made after the year 2013 should have the PiP version, so you don’t have to have the latest version in your hands.

Picture in Picture VLC Android

For those of you who prefer Android devices, fret not, you can also enjoy this feature on your Android phone or tablet. However, it may not work on the older versions, so make sure you have the latest updates. You can follow these steps below to enable the PiP feature for your VLC on your Android smartphone:

1. Go to the Settings in your VLC Media Player and tap Play VLC Videos in Background.
   
2. Choose the three dots icon at the top of your screen.
   
3. After that, choose the PiP icon, which will appear as a small window. Tap on it.
   
4. Minimize and move the window as you would on other devices to your preferences.
   

Now you can multitask on your phone while watching a video.

Get the Picture?

If you want to scroll through old messages or just reply to some emails and also watch the new season of The Witcher, now you can. With these quick and easy steps, you can enable the PiP feature to use for your VLC Media Player and watch any video you’d like.

Which device is your favorite for multitasking? What videos do you like to watch while also working? Let us know in the comments below.