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To keep a YouTube video in a floating window while using other iPhone apps, enable Picture in Picture (PiP), play an eligible video, then swipe up to the Home Screen. To shrink a video while browsing YouTube itself, swipe down on the video or tap Back to open YouTube’s Miniplayer. These are different features; neither automatically means audio will keep playing after you lock your iPhone.
Choose the kind of “minimize” you need
| Feature | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Miniplayer | Keeps a small player at the bottom of the YouTube app. | Browsing other YouTube pages while a video plays. |
| iPhone Picture in Picture (PiP) | Shows a floating video window over other apps. | Watching while texting, browsing Safari, or using another app. |
| Background play | Continues audio with YouTube hidden or the iPhone locked. | Listening without keeping a video window on screen. |
YouTube’s Miniplayer guide, PiP guide, and background-play help describe these as separate playback behaviors.
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Minimize YouTube inside the app
- Open YouTube and start a video.
- Tap the Back button or swipe down on the video.
- The video shrinks to a Miniplayer at the bottom of YouTube. Browse other pages in the app without leaving playback.
Tap the Miniplayer to return to the video, or use its playback controls. You can drag it, double-tap to switch sizes, pinch to resize, or swipe it toward an edge to hide it temporarily. YouTube says its Miniplayer is unavailable for Shorts and videos marked as made for kids. For non-Premium users, hiding the Miniplayer pauses playback.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The Miniplayer stays inside YouTube. It will not float over Messages, Safari, or other iPhone apps.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Watch YouTube in a floating window over other apps
- On your iPhone, open Settings > General > Picture in Picture.
- Turn on Start PiP Automatically.
- Open YouTube and play an eligible video.
- Swipe up from the bottom edge to go to the Home Screen. The video should continue in a floating window.
If your iPhone uses a Home button, use the Home button to leave YouTube. Apple describes PiP as a way to keep watching in a small window while using other apps in its iPhone User Guide. YouTube’s documentation lists iOS 15 or later for PiP on iPhone and iPad; content, country, account status, and app behavior can affect availability.
Move the window by dragging it to another corner. Pinch to resize it, and tap it for playback controls. You can temporarily move it off-screen using the hide gesture, then tap the visible edge or arrow to bring it back.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Check YouTube’s Picture in Picture setting
In YouTube, tap your profile picture and open Settings > Playback. Look for Picture-in-picture and turn it on if the control is available. Menu names and locations can differ by app version, language, account, and rollout. If you do not see the setting, update YouTube and check its in-app settings again; its absence does not by itself prove your iPhone cannot use PiP.
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| What you want to do | Premium requirement |
|---|---|
| Browse YouTube with its in-app Miniplayer | Generally available without Premium, subject to content limits. |
| Use PiP for supported non-music videos | YouTube says it is generally available more broadly, but availability can vary by country, account, and rollout. |
| Use PiP for music content | YouTube says music content, including official music videos and Art Tracks, requires Premium for PiP. |
| Keep audio playing after hiding YouTube or locking the iPhone | YouTube identifies background play in its mobile app as a Premium feature. |
“Miniplayer,” “PiP,” and “background play” are not interchangeable. PiP leaves a visible video window; it is not a promise of locked-screen audio. YouTube’s Premium benefits information says background play can be set to Always on, Off, or Headphones or external speakers; exact labels may change. For more on the feature, see YouTube’s background-play help.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Premium may make sense if you specifically want locked-screen audio, music-content PiP, or additional benefits such as ad-free viewing, downloads, or YouTube Music. It is not necessary merely to use the in-app Miniplayer, and it may not be worth subscribing solely to float ordinary videos if PiP already works for you. YouTube notes that available benefits and subscription offers can vary by country, plan, device, and content; check the offer shown for your location rather than relying on a universal price.
If PiP does not appear
- Check the iPhone control: Go to Settings > General > Picture in Picture and turn on Start PiP Automatically.
- Check YouTube: Look under Settings > Playback for a PiP control. Update the app if it is out of date.
- Test a different video: Try a regular, non-music, long-form video instead of a Short or music video. Shorts, made-for-kids videos, and some other content may behave differently; restrictions are not identical for every playback feature.
- Make sure you left YouTube the right way: Swiping down on the video opens the in-app Miniplayer. To try PiP, start playback and swipe up from the bottom edge to the Home Screen.
- Check account and location: If the video or feature requires Premium, confirm you are signed into the account with the active membership and that the benefit is available where you are.
- Restart and retest: Close and reopen YouTube, then restart the iPhone if needed. Test more than one video to see whether the problem follows particular content.
- If it stopped working everywhere: After checking settings, account, content, and app version, it may be a temporary app or service problem rather than a setting you changed. YouTube’s troubleshooting guidance recommends checking membership and settings and updating or restarting the app or device.
Live streams, age-restricted or region-limited videos, and account-specific feature tests can also behave differently. Treat those as possible explanations, not a rule that every video in a category is blocked.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
If you want sound after locking the iPhone
That is background play, not PiP. YouTube lists background play in its mobile app as a Premium feature, and some content may still be unavailable for background playback. Premium members can check Profile picture > Settings > Background & Downloads > Background Play; the exact menu may differ. If you only want to keep watching while using another app, use PiP instead of expecting the audio to continue after locking the screen.
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Should you use Safari as a workaround?
Browser-based tricks are not a dependable substitute for the official app’s Miniplayer or iPhone PiP. Their behavior can change with iOS, YouTube’s web player, ads, and account settings, so do not count on them to provide PiP or locked-screen playback. Start with the official app and Apple’s built-in PiP. Avoid modified YouTube apps or third-party tools that claim to unlock Premium features; their reliability, privacy, compatibility, and terms implications are uncertain.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
