Picture in Picture Not Working

Hello mckenah2017mpa,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. 

Are you able to use PiP with other apps? Please go to Settings > General > Picture in Picture > Start PiP Automatically and ensuring that it is toggled on. If it still isn’t working as expected, please contact Apple Support here: Apple Support

Here’s additional information on using Picture in Picture: Multitask with Picture in Picture on iPhone - Apple Support

Let us know if you have further questions.

Take care.

Until this issue is resolved, you might try using a PiP bookmarklet in Safari. Normally, a bookmarklet would reside in the Favorites bar, but since Safari on iPhone doesn’t have one, it will be accessible from where other bookmarks are. When adding or editing a bookmark to modify as a bookmarklet, the bookmarklet name replaces the name of the website, and JavaScript replaces the website address. The URL encoding is added automatically. Add the  bookmarklet to your Favorites folder, or another of your choice, so that you can access it either from the Bookmarks menu or the Start Page.

First, navigate to Settings > Safari > Advanced and make sure JavaScript is turned on. Next, navigate to Settings > Safari > Favorites and select the bookmarks folder where the bookmarklet is stored and which you wish to appear on the Start Page. This is usually the Favorites folder, but it may be another folder you previously selected.

The JavaScript code:

javascript:(function(){var videos = document.getElementsByTagName("video");if (videos) {var video = videos[0];video.webkitSetPresentationMode(video.webkitPresentationMode === "picture-in-picture" ? "inline" : "picture-in-picture");}completion({"success": true})})()

To use: from a website where you are playing a video, tap the Bookmarks button, navigate to the PiP bookmarklet and tap. Alternatively, tap Safari’s address bar to open the Start Page and tap the PiP icon.

The PiP window has controls for play/pause, rewind/advance 15 seconds, return to the main video player, and to close the PiP window. Double-tap the PiP window to maximize or minimize to the last selected size, or use two fingers pinching or spreading to select a size in-between. You can slide the maximized PiP window either to the top or bottom of the screen, or a lesser-sized PiP window to any of the four corners. You can also slide the PiP window out of the way off either side of the screen with a tab left showing.

The PiP window will be viewable while in the Home Screen, Today View, App Library, most apps, and other Safari tabs that are open. Be aware that the bookmarklet may not function on some websites that offer videos to play. Also, it’s possible the issue that is preventing PiP from functioning on your iPhone may also prevent the bookmarklet from working.

mckenah2017mpa,

Toggling Picture in Picture is a great troubleshooting step. Thanks for giving it a shot! If you've already followed the steps outlined in the article, Multitask with Picture in Picture on iPhone, you may need to contact Apple Support for more advanced assistance.

They will have the tools to take a closer look at your issue.

Good luck!