Watching YouTube on your iPad while simultaneously using other apps can be a game-changer for productivity and entertainment. Imagine researching a topic while keeping a relevant video playing, or chatting with friends without interrupting your favorite creator's latest upload. Your iPad is a powerful multitasking machine, and unlocking its full potential with YouTube is easier than you might think! Let's dive in and explore the various methods.
How to Watch YouTube on iPad While Using Other Apps
There are primarily three ways to achieve this multitasking magic on your iPad:
- Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode: This is the most seamless and native way to keep a video playing in a small, resizable window while you navigate other apps.
- Split View: This allows you to run two apps side-by-side, giving you more screen real estate for both YouTube and another application.
- Slide Over: A more compact multitasking option where a second app floats as a smaller window on top of your primary app.
- Using a Web Browser (Safari/Chrome): A workaround that can provide background playback or PiP even without YouTube Premium, with some limitations.
Let's break down each method step-by-step.
Step 1: Mastering Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Mode (The Easiest Way!)
Picture-in-Picture is your go-to for effortless multitasking. It shrinks your video into a floating window that you can move around and resize.
Sub-heading: Understanding PiP Requirements
Before you begin, ensure you meet the following:
- iPadOS 15.0 or later: PiP is a core iPadOS feature, and YouTube's official support for it is tied to newer iPadOS versions.
- YouTube Premium (Recommended): While PiP for YouTube videos can work without Premium in the US for non-music content, a YouTube Premium subscription is highly recommended for consistent and ad-free PiP functionality across all content, especially music videos, and globally.
Sub-heading: Enabling PiP in iPad Settings
First, ensure the system-wide PiP setting is enabled:
- Go to your iPad's Settings app. (It's the gray gear icon.)
- Tap on "General".
- Tap on "Picture in Picture".
- Make sure the toggle next to "Start PiP Automatically" is turned ON (green).
Sub-heading: Enabling PiP in YouTube App Settings
Next, verify the YouTube app's own PiP setting:
- Open the YouTube app.
- Tap on your profile picture (usually in the top right or bottom right corner).
- Tap on "Settings".
- Tap on "General".
- Look for "Picture-in-picture" and ensure its toggle is turned ON (green). If it's already on, try toggling it off and on again to refresh it.
Sub-heading: How to Activate YouTube PiP
Once both settings are confirmed:
- Open the YouTube app and start playing any video.
- While the video is playing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or press the Home button on older iPads with a physical button) to return to your Home Screen.
- Voila! The YouTube video should automatically shrink into a small, floating window.
- You can then drag this PiP window to any corner of your screen.
- To resize the PiP window, use a pinch-to-zoom gesture (pinch in to make it smaller, pinch out to make it larger).
- You can now open and use other apps while the YouTube video continues to play in its small window.
- To return to full screen, tap the PiP window once, then tap the fullscreen icon (a box with an arrow pointing outwards).
- To close the PiP window, tap it once to reveal controls, then tap the 'X' icon in the top-left corner.
Step 2: Utilizing Split View for Side-by-Side YouTube
Split View is perfect when you need more active interaction with both apps. It literally splits your iPad screen into two adjustable sections.
Sub-heading: Preparing Your Apps
Ensure YouTube is open and in your Recent Apps or Dock for easy access.
Sub-heading: Initiating Split View from the Dock
This is often the quickest way:
- Open the YouTube app (or any app you want to be on one side).
- Slowly swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the Dock.
- Touch and hold the icon of the second app you want to use (e.g., Safari, Notes, Mail) from the Dock.
- Drag that second app's icon upwards and to either the left or right edge of the screen.
- As you drag, you'll see a dark bar appear, indicating where the app will snap. Release your finger, and both apps will now be in Split View.
Sub-heading: Initiating Split View using the Multitasking Menu
For iPads running iPadOS 15 and later, this method is very intuitive:
- Open the YouTube app.
- Look for the three small dots (multitasking button) at the very top center of the screen. Tap them.
- A small menu will appear with three icons: Full Screen, Split View, and Slide Over. Tap the "Split View" icon (two rectangles side-by-side).
- The current app (YouTube) will slide to one side, revealing your Home Screen.
- Tap the second app you wish to open from your Home Screen or Dock. It will automatically open next to YouTube in Split View.
Sub-heading: Adjusting and Exiting Split View
- Resizing: Between the two apps, you'll see a vertical divider line. Touch and drag this line left or right to adjust the size of each app.
- Switching Apps: To replace one of the apps, swipe down from the top of the app you want to replace (where the three dots were), then choose a new app from your Home Screen or Dock.
- Exiting Split View:
- Drag the divider all the way to one edge of the screen, causing one app to disappear and the other to take up the full screen.
- Alternatively, from one of the apps, tap the three dots at the top, then tap the "Full Screen" icon.
Step 3: Employing Slide Over for a Floating YouTube Window
Slide Over is a subtle way to have a quick reference app without it dominating half your screen. It's like having a persistent floating widget.
Sub-heading: Activating Slide Over
Similar to Split View, you can use the Dock or the Multitasking Menu:
Method A: From the Dock
- Open your main app (e.g., Safari, a document).
- Slowly swipe up from the bottom to reveal the Dock.
- Touch and hold the YouTube app icon from the Dock.
- Drag the YouTube app icon to the center of the screen. Don't drag it to the edge like Split View.
- Release your finger. The YouTube app will appear as a narrow, floating window over your primary app.
Method B: Using the Multitasking Menu
- Open the YouTube app (or the app you want to be your floating window).
- Tap the three small dots (multitasking button) at the very top center of the screen.
- Tap the "Slide Over" icon (one large rectangle with a smaller, overlapping rectangle).
- The current app will shrink to a Slide Over window.
- Now, tap another app from your Home Screen or Dock to open it in full screen behind the Slide Over window.
Sub-heading: Managing Your Slide Over Window
- Moving: Touch and hold the top bar of the Slide Over window (where the three dots are), then drag it left or right across your screen.
- Hiding: To temporarily hide the Slide Over window, drag its top bar to the extreme left or right edge of the screen. A small tab will remain visible.
- Revealing: To bring it back, swipe inwards from the small tab on the side of your screen.
- Switching to Split View: If you want to transition a Slide Over app into a Split View, tap the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window, then tap the "Split View" icon.
- Exiting Slide Over:
- Tap the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window, then tap the "Full Screen" icon to make it your primary app.
- Alternatively, drag the Slide Over window all the way off the screen to the left or right until it disappears completely.
Step 4: Web Browser Workaround (No YouTube Premium? No Problem... Sometimes!)
If you don't have YouTube Premium and are outside the US (or simply want a different approach), using a web browser can offer some limited multitasking capabilities. This method often focuses on background audio playback or specific PiP activation.
Sub-heading: Using Safari for Background Audio/Video
Safari on iPad can play YouTube videos in the background, primarily for audio.
- Open Safari on your iPad.
- Go to youtube.com.
- Find and play the video you want to watch.
- Tap the "Aa" icon in the address bar (top left) and select ***"Request Desktop Website"***. This is crucial for enabling certain playback features.
- Start playing the video in full-screen mode within Safari (tap the full-screen icon on the video player).
- Once in full screen, swipe up from the bottom to return to your Home Screen, or open another app.
- The video might pause. If it does, open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen on iPads without a Home button, or swipe up from the bottom on older iPads).
- In Control Center, you should see a media playback widget. Tap the "Play" button there. The audio should resume, and for some videos, it might even activate PiP if your iPadOS version supports it for browser video.
Sub-heading: Using Chrome for Picture-in-Picture (Potentially)
Google Chrome on iPad also offers a pathway to PiP for YouTube.
- Open the Chrome app on your iPad. If you don't have it, download it from the App Store.
- Go to youtube.com.
- Play the video you wish to watch.
- Tap the three dots menu (•••) at the bottom-right of Chrome and select ***"Request Desktop Site"***.
- Start playing the video.
- Swipe up from the bottom (or press the Home button) to go back to your Home Screen.
- The video should automatically enter Picture-in-Picture mode. If it doesn't, ensure your iOS is updated and try toggling the PiP setting in your iPad's main settings (General > Picture in Picture > Start PiP Automatically).
Conclusion: Unleashing Your iPad's Multitasking Power
With these methods, your iPad transforms from a single-task device into a powerful hub for simultaneous activity. Whether you choose the seamless PiP, the dedicated Split View, the quick access of Slide Over, or the browser workarounds, you're now equipped to watch YouTube while conquering other tasks. Experiment with each method to find the one that best fits your workflow and enjoy a truly productive and entertaining iPad experience!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to: Enable Picture-in-Picture for YouTube on iPad?
Quick Answer: Go to iPad Settings > General > Picture in Picture > Turn on "Start PiP Automatically." Also, in the YouTube app, go to Settings > General > Turn on "Picture-in-picture." Then, play a video and swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
How to: Fix YouTube PiP not working on my iPad?
Quick Answer: Ensure your iPad is running iPadOS 15 or later, check both iPad's General PiP setting and YouTube app's General PiP setting are enabled, restart your iPad, update the YouTube app, or delete and reinstall the YouTube app. A YouTube Premium subscription also helps with consistent PiP.
How to: Watch YouTube in a small window while Browse on iPad?
Quick Answer: Use Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode. Start a YouTube video, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen to minimize it into a floating window.
How to: Split the screen with YouTube and another app on iPad?
Quick Answer: Open YouTube, then either drag another app from the Dock to the side of the screen, or tap the three dots at the top of YouTube, select the Split View icon, and then choose your second app.
How to: Play YouTube in the background on iPad without YouTube Premium?
Quick Answer: Open Safari, go to youtube.com, request the desktop site, play a video in full screen, then swipe up to go home. If the audio stops, open Control Center and press play on the media widget.
How to: Close a YouTube Picture-in-Picture window on iPad?
Quick Answer: Tap the PiP window once to reveal controls, then tap the 'X' icon in the top-left corner of the window.
How to: Resize the YouTube Picture-in-Picture window on iPad?
Quick Answer: Use a two-finger pinch-to-zoom gesture directly on the PiP window; pinch in to make it smaller, pinch out to make it larger.
How to: Use YouTube in Slide Over mode on iPad?
Quick Answer: Open your main app, then drag the YouTube app from the Dock to the center of the screen to create a floating window, or use the multitasking menu (three dots at the top of the YouTube app) and select the Slide Over icon.
How to: Play YouTube music with the screen off on iPad?
Quick Answer: This feature typically requires YouTube Premium. With Premium, ensure "Background play" is enabled in YouTube app settings (Settings > General > Playback & performance), then simply turn off your screen while a video is playing.
How to: Switch between different multitasking views for YouTube on iPad?
Quick Answer: When in Split View or Slide Over, tap the three dots at the top of either app. A menu will appear allowing you to switch to Full Screen, Split View, or Slide Over for that specific app.
