In the Android 7 (Nougat) version, Google had introduced a feature that allowed the users to open two apps in Split mode. The feature was not very well refined and didn’t prove to be of much use. However, Google has improvised the feature in the latest offering (Android 8-Oreo) where it is known as Picture-In-Picture (PIP) mode. Below we will look at this new feature and the best way to use it.

Note: Not all apps support the PIP mode. Below is the list of apps that do support it:

• YouTube
• Google Duo
• Google Play Movies & TV
• Google Maps
• Chrome
• VLC

 Activating Picture-In-Picture or PIP Mode

You will firstly need to update the above-mentioned apps to their latest versions to enjoy PIP mode. Below are the steps to activate PIP mode on your Android Smartphone running Oreo:

1. Open the Settings menu
2. Tap App & Notifications
3. Tap Advanced Menu
4. Locate the Picture-in-Picture option and tap on it
5. You will see a list of apps supporting the PIP mode and toggle switch beside each app name. Tap on the slide switch to move it to the ON position. Repeat this procedure for every app which you want to use in PIP mode

Now that you have activated PIP mode, next you will need to know how to use it. This is important because there is no standard method to launch Apps in PIP mode. Every app supporting the PIP mode works differently.

How do I use Picture-In-Picture (PIP) mode?

The basic objective of PIP mode is to allow you to continue enjoying the video while you work on another app. Here are the steps to use the PIP mode in different applications.

To use Chrome and YouTube simultaneously, watch the video in Full-Screen mode. If you want to launch Chrome, tap the Home button on the screen and launch Chrome. While doing this, the YouTube app will automatically resize (becomes smaller and borderless) and it will move to one of the edges of the screen.

To use VLC and Chrome simultaneously, tap the Menu’s button on VLC and tap on PIP mode while the video is playing. Then you have to tap the Home button on the screen and launch Chrome

Other important things about PIP

Though the video screen becomes borderless, you can still see and access the playback controls in PIP mode.  Just tap on the PIP window and you can see all the important controls like Play, Forward, Rewind and a Center button to maximize the video window.