The best ways to use picture-in-picture on Mac

Picture-in-picture mode for Mac: Secret Weapon for Efficient Multitasking

Many people rarely use the Mac's picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, but this is actually a very practical multitasking feature. Especially when watching video tutorials related to tasks on your Mac, PiP mode is very convenient. For example, there are many tutorials on YouTube about complex software operations such as Excel, which you can learn in real time using PiP mode.

The PiP mode has a wide range of applications. Safari's PiP feature is great for watching YouTube videos, while iMovie's PiP settings allow local videos to be played. But this is just the beginning! This article will introduce some advanced tips such as how to browse streaming services in floating windows, how to use PiP to improve the quality of video conferencing, and more. The picture-in-picture feature of Mac is a game changer for many people, and we are sure you will fall in love with it too.

使用画中画 (PiP) 的方法	操作方法
观看视频的同时工作	右键单击视频，然后选择“进入画中画”。 或者，使用 Slidepad 在浮动浏览器窗口中观看视频。
在小窗口中查看本地视频	使用支持画中画功能的媒体播放器。
多任务处理的同时进行流媒体播放	在您的流媒体应用程序或浏览器中启用画中画。
视频会议期间	将鼠标悬停在视频上，然后进入画中画模式。

Smoothly play HD and ultra-high definition content with the multi-function media assistant Elmedia Player. Available on Setapp.

Free trial Security test

What is the picture-in-picture mode?

Picture in Picture (PiP) feature reduces any video being played to a thumbnail size and places it in the bottom corner of your Mac screen so it always sits above other applications. You can resize the video and place it elsewhere on the screen, which remains the same even if you use multiple desktops on your Mac.

Easy multitasking with picture-in-picture mode

PiP mode is very useful in the following tasks:

• Watch YouTube videos and work at the same time. Sometimes you can find the full movie on YouTube, or you may need to watch YouTube videos to complete some tasks on your Mac. (Remember we said there are a lot of Excel tutorial videos on YouTube?) Picture-in-picture mode allows you to watch videos while continuing to work on other work.
• View local videos and movies in floating windows. If you save a movie on your Mac, the best way to watch a movie while doing something else is to use a PiP. Simply launch the movie and select the Picture-in-Picture settings in the iMovie app to display it in the lower right corner of the screen and hover while you are working.
• Work while streaming. Did you know that both Hulu and Netflix support picture-in-picture? If you don't know, this could change the rules of your game! Stream your favorite Hulu and Netflix shows at work, or stream a lot of videos at once. why not?
• Work during online meetings. Have you ever participated in a browser-based video call and want to multitask without minimizing the browser window? Using picture-in-picture mode may help! Use PiP to hover over the video and continue working while others chat.

Premium Tools for Picture-in-Picture Mode on Mac

Honestly, most of the time you use Picture in Picture to play some kind of streaming video that you probably shouldn't watch at work. It doesn’t matter, everyone will secretly watch one or two episodes of their favorite show when they finish their work! If you are the same, then you will definitely want to try Slidepad, a picture-in-picture browser available through Setapp.

Slidepad is a floating browser that allows you to watch Netflix, Hulu, Twitch, YouTube and other streaming services while completing other tasks on your Mac. We can even say it is a full-featured mini browser that not only allows you to enter PiP mode—you can also browse the Netflix homepage or Twitch directly in this little window, so there is no need to turn on streaming services on the network before entering PiP mode.

Elmedia Player is ideal for applying picture-in-picture mode to local media on your Mac. You can switch between PiP and full screen modes as you like, and Elmedia Player even supports native video playback in multiple formats. Overall, it is a powerful alternative to the most popular media players on macOS.

How to use picture-in-picture in Safari

If you want to watch videos in your browser while switching to other tabs and performing your daily routine, here are practical guides on how to use picture-in-picture features in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

How to use Safari's picture-in-picture on YouTube

1. Open Safari browser on your Mac.
2. Visit youtube.com in Safari.
3. Click on the video you want to watch.
4. Right-click on the video twice.
5. Select "Enter Picture in Picture".

Note:

Right-clicking on a YouTube video will display a YouTube-specific menu once. A second right-click brings up the Mac's menu where you can find PiP mode.

How to enter picture-in-picture mode from the play menu

Some video players (such as YouTube) have their own picture-in-picture mode. In YouTube, it is called a "mini player." Other platforms may refer to it as a different name, but you should always look for icons similar to YouTube icons.

Simply click on the icon and you will enter PiP mode. Remember that these options may not be native PiP and you may not get all the controls you want.

Accessing Picture-in-Picture from the Address Bar

Some video platforms (such as Vimeo) do not support right-clicking to enter PiP mode, nor do they have their own native Picture-in-Picture options. So what can you do?

When watching the video you want to watch in PiP mode, just right-click the volume icon in the address bar. This brings up a menu where you can find the "Enter Picture in Picture" option.

Enter Picture-in-Picture Mode with Safari extension

1. Open Safari on your Mac and click "Safari" in the menu bar.
2. Select "Safari Extension".
3. In the Mac App Store app that opens, enter Picture in Picture.
4. Select the extension you want to use.

Note:

Please be careful not to install extensions from unknown stores, some of which may be corrupted and will infect your Mac with malware. If you find any suspicious extensions, CleanMyMac will help you clear them.

How to use picture-in-picture mode in Google Chrome

Chrome is a major browser, so you may also need to use its picture-in-picture feature. Here are some things you should know.

How to watch in picture-in-picture mode in Chrome YouTube

Chrome's PiP settings are very similar to those in Safari. You can easily watch YouTube videos in small floating windows:

1. Find the video on YouTube and play it.
2. Control key and right-click the video twice.
3. Select Picture in Picture.

If you want to watch videos in the mini player while browsing YouTube (kind of like video previews), use this method:

1. Find the video on YouTube and play it.
2. Click the mini player button in the lower right corner.
3. Continue browsing YouTube.

Video call in P-P-in-Picture mode in Chrome

In March 2021, Google announced that they will soon expand picture-in-picture to video conferencing. This will allow meeting participants to mute the microphone, enable/disable the camera, and end the meeting from the PiP window. This new feature could be a big hit as more people turn to remote and hybrid work. Let's wait and see the future release!

How to use picture-in-picture in Firefox

1. Open Firefox on Mac.
2. Click the menu button (three horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the Firefox application window).
3. Select "Settings".
4. In the Browse menu, select Enable Picture-in-Picture Video Control.

When P-in-Picture mode is enabled, open the video on YouTube and click the P-in-Picture icon in the lower right corner. If the video is built into another website and does not have a P-P button, start playing the video, right-click on the video twice, and select "Watch in P-P".

Picture-in-picture mode keyboard shortcuts

Picture-in-picture mode is available through the QuickTime player on iTunes, Apple TV, and Mac. All of these platforms and apps are created by Apple and natively include picture-in-picture functionality for a seamless experience. It works exactly the same way as right-clicking on a video on YouTube or the web and selecting PiP.

If you are a loyal Firefox user, you can enter PG mode by simply using one of the following keyboard shortcuts: command option shift ] or command option shift ).

Please read also:

• Mac's ad blocker
• Enable cookies on iPhone
• Allow pop-up window on Mac
• Best browser for Mac

What if the picture in picture doesn't work?

You may have followed all our guides, suggestions and rules and found that the picture in picture doesn't work for you. If this is the case, we have a very simple solution.

Some settings on your Mac may be changed without triggering them or even knowing that they are happening. This happens often, as applications and services scramble to do their jobs in the background. An application trying to perform a task may inadvertently break the functionality of another application. It's frustrating, but you can hardly stop it from happening.

But you can use CleanMyMac to fix it. CleanMyMac not only recognizes problems with your computer, but also helps to restore settings to their default state so that you can continue to work as you wish. CleanMyMac can quickly and easily restore settings, clear browser caches, and delete problematic applications, so you can use picture-in-picture mode to your liking.

Quickly discover and delete large files

Never worry about insufficient hard disk space anymore - use CleanMyMac to delete large old files!

Free trial Security test

Third-party applications like Lift, MeetInOne, Elmedia Player, and extensions should not interfere with any settings and are very focused on ensuring that picture-in-picture runs seamlessly. A good application or extension may be exactly what you need to avoid problems later on.

Conclusion

Mac's picture-in-picture mode is usually not valued, but once you start using it more often, you will definitely fall in love with it. It is especially useful for those who use multiple desktops and want to watch videos on one screen using a small player while continuing to browse the web in their browser.

Nevertheless, you might prefer a third-party app like the Slidepad browser, which is essentially a lightweight browser focused on the picture-in-picture mode. Elmedia Player is a media-first browser with a lot of features.

These three apps, as well as CleanMyMac, are available for free during Setapp’s seven-day free trial, the largest and best suite of productivity apps your Mac will have. These four incredible apps come with over 240 other apps, all of which are developed natively for your Mac and available for free during your Setapp trial.

FAQ

Can you use picture-in-picture for Mac?

You can watch PiP videos using Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. You can also multitask while making video calls or playing other media.

What are the shortcut keys for drawing in picture on Mac?

In Safari, right-click on the video twice and select to enter picture-in-picture. For Firefox, you can use the shortcut key Command Option Shift ].

How to use YouTube Picture in Picture on Mac?

Open YouTube in a PiP-enabled browser such as Google Chrome or Safari. Then, hold down the Control key, right-click the video twice, and select Picture in Picture from the menu. This will allow you to watch videos in a floating window while using other applications. Or, use Slidepad - a picture-in-picture browser.

How to use Picture-in-Picture on Netflix on Mac?

Install Slidepad to stream Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and more while you perform other tasks.

The above is the detailed content of The best ways to use picture-in-picture on Mac. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!