Picture in Picture (PiP) pops a video out of its web page or app into a small, movable window that floats on top of everything else you are doing. You can keep a game, a lecture, or a video call visible in the corner while you answer email, take notes, or browse in another window. Here is exactly how to use Picture in Picture on your Mac in 2026 — and what to do when the button does not show up.
What Picture in Picture does
When you start PiP, the video detaches from its tab or app and becomes a floating thumbnail that:
- Stays on top of every other window, even when you switch apps or Spaces.
- Keeps playing when you click away or change tabs.
- Can be moved to any corner and resized to taste.
- Has simple play/pause controls and a button to send the video back to its page.
It is perfect for watching a tutorial while you follow along in another app, keeping an eye on a livestream while you work, or staying on a video call while you check something in your browser.
How to start Picture in Picture in Safari
Safari has the cleanest PiP support on a Mac. You have two easy ways:
- The PiP button in the video. Start playing a video, then look for the Picture in Picture icon in the video's own playback controls — a small rectangle with a smaller rectangle in the corner and an arrow. Click it and the video pops out into a floating window.
- Right-click the video (twice). Control-click (or right-click) the playing video once — you will usually get the site's own menu. Control-click a second time to get Safari's menu, then choose Enter Picture in Picture. The two-click trick gets you past custom players like YouTube that hide the standard menu on the first click.
To close PiP, click the X on the floating window, or click the button that looks like a window with an arrow to send the video back to its tab.
Move, resize, and pin the floating window
The PiP window is meant to stay out of your way:
- Move it: click and drag the window anywhere on screen.
- Pin it to a corner: drag it toward any of the four corners and it snaps neatly into place. macOS remembers where you like it.
- Resize it: drag any edge or corner of the window to make it larger or smaller. The video keeps its shape.
- Hide it briefly: drag it to the edge of the screen and it tucks partway off-screen; drag it back when you want it.
Picture in Picture in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox
PiP is not just a Safari feature. Most browsers on a Mac support it:
- Chrome and Edge: right-click the video twice and choose Picture in Picture. On YouTube specifically, the first right-click shows YouTube's menu and the second shows Chrome's. Many sites also show a small PiP button in the player.
- Firefox: hover over a playing video and a blue Picture-in-Picture tab slides out from the side of the video — click it to pop the video out.
The floating window behaves the same way in every browser: always on top, movable, and resizable.
Picture in Picture with FaceTime and video calls
Picture in Picture also works for FaceTime and many video-calling apps. During a FaceTime call, switch to another app and the call automatically shrinks into a floating PiP window so you can see the other person while you keep working. Some browser-based calls (like meetings in Chrome) offer a PiP button to float your call the same way.
When the Picture in Picture button is missing
If you cannot find a way to start PiP, try these in order:
- Make sure the video is actually playing. Many players only show the PiP option once playback has started.
- Use the two-click right-click. On YouTube and other custom players, one right-click shows the site's menu; a second right-click reveals the browser's menu with the Picture in Picture command.
- Update your browser and macOS. Older versions may lack PiP for some sites. Keeping Safari and macOS current fixes most gaps.
- Some sites block it. A handful of streaming services disable Picture in Picture on purpose. If a video simply refuses to pop out anywhere, the site is opting out — nothing is wrong with your Mac.
Do more with your Mac
Picture in Picture is one of many small features that make a Mac great for getting things done. If you liked this, these guides pair well with it:
- How to Use Tab Groups in Safari on a Mac — keep dozens of tabs organized and synced.
- How to Use Reader Mode in Safari on a Mac — strip any page down to just the article.
- How to Block Pop-Ups in Safari on a Mac — stop the junk without blocking the good stuff.
Every Mac we sell at LuxuriousComputers runs the latest macOS and Safari with Picture in Picture ready to go. Have a question about your Mac? We're happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Picture in Picture button on a Mac?
It is a small icon — a rectangle with a smaller rectangle in one corner — that pops a playing video out into a floating window that stays on top of your other apps. You will find it in a video's playback controls or in the right-click menu.
How do I turn on Picture in Picture in Safari?
Start playing a video and click the Picture in Picture icon in its controls, or Control-click the video twice and choose Enter Picture in Picture. The window then floats on top of everything until you close it.
Why is there no Picture in Picture option on YouTube?
YouTube shows its own menu on the first right-click. Right-click the video a second time to reveal your browser's menu, which includes the Picture in Picture command.
Can I resize and move the Picture in Picture window?
Yes. Drag the window anywhere on screen, drag it toward a corner to snap it into place, and drag any edge to make it larger or smaller. Your Mac remembers your preferred spot.
Does Picture in Picture work with FaceTime?
Yes. Switch away from a FaceTime call and it shrinks into a floating window so you can see the other person while you use other apps.