Step-By-Step Guide to Get Picture-In-Picture Controls in Google Chrome Desktop

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) lets you pop out a video into a small floating window that stays on top of everything—perfect for multitasking while watching YouTube, tutorials, or livestreams.

Chrome has supported PiP for a while, but not everyone knows how to enable or use it properly. Here’s how to get Picture-in-Picture controls working in Google Chrome on your desktop.

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✅ What You’ll Need:

• Google Chrome (latest version recommended)
• A video-playing site (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)

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Step 1: Update Chrome to the Latest Version

Before diving in, make sure you’re using the latest version of Chrome:

1. Open Chrome
2. Go to the address bar and type: chrome://settings/help
3. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them if needed
4. Relaunch the browser

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Step 2: Enable Picture-in-Picture in Chrome

The built-in PiP feature doesn’t need any extension for basic use, but full controls can be toggled in Chrome’s experimental settings.

1. In the address bar, type: chrome://flags/
2. Use the search bar and type: Picture-in-Picture
3. Look for these two flags:
   • Enable Picture-in-Picture
   • Enable SurfaceLayer for Video
4. Set both to Enabled
5. Click Relaunch

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Step 3: Use Picture-in-Picture on Any Video

Here are two simple ways to launch PiP:

Option 1: Right-click on the video twice

• On YouTube, right-click once (shows YouTube’s menu), then right-click again to open Chrome’s context menu
• Select “Picture in Picture”

Option 2: Use the PiP icon in the video controls (on supported sites like YouTube)

• Hover over the video
• Click the small rectangle-with-arrow icon usually near the volume or fullscreen button

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Step 4: Use Chrome’s Picture-in-Picture Extension (Optional)

For extra control, you can install the official PiP extension by Google:

• Visit the Chrome Web Store and search: “Picture-in-Picture Extension (by Google)”
• Click Add to Chrome
• You’ll get a PiP button in your toolbar to activate PiP on most video sites

👉 Link: Chrome Web Store – Picture-in-Picture Extension

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✅ What You Can Do in PiP Mode:

• Move the video window anywhere on your screen
• Resize the window
• Play/pause from the mini window
• Continue working in other tabs or apps while the video stays on top

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Troubleshooting Tips:

• Can’t find the PiP option? Make sure the video isn’t part of a playlist or embedded in a weird way.
• Still not working? Double-check that your Chrome is up to date and the flags are enabled.
• Using Windows 10/11 Snap Layouts? PiP plays nicely with them—just don’t dock it or it may disappear behind other windows.

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Final Thoughts

Picture-in-Picture mode in Chrome turns background watching into a smooth multitasking experience. Whether you’re working, studying, or just browsing, it’s one of those features you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. Set it up once, and you’re good to go.